HMS Hermes (1796)

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History
Dutch Navy Ensign Batavian Navy EnsignThe Netherlands
NameMercuur
Launched1781
Captured12 May 1796
Great Britain
NameHMS Hermes
Acquired1796 by capture
FateFoundered 31 January 1797
General characteristics [1][2]
Typebrig-sloop
Tons burthen210 (bm)[2]
Length85' (Amsterdam foot)[a]
Beam30'
Depth of hold13'
PropulsionSails
Complement
  • Dutch service:150
  • At capture:85
  • Royal Navy:80
Armament
  • Dutch service: 12-24 guns
  • At capture:16 guns
  • British service: 14 × 24-pounder carronades + 2 × 6-pounder chase guns

HMS Hermes was the Dutch cutter Mercuur, that the Amsterdam Admiralty purchased in 1781 or 1782. (Mercuur was a brig when captured.) HMS Sylph captured her off the Texel on 12 May 1796 after a chase during which Mercuur threw all but two of her guns overboard.[3]

The British Royal Navy commissioned her in July 1796 under Commander William Mulso, for the North Sea.[2]

Hermes disappeared during a gale on 31 January 1797.[2] She was presumed to have foundered with all hands.[4]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ All linear measurements are in Amsterdam feet (voet) of 11 Amsterdam inches (duim) (see Dutch units of measurement). The Amsterdam foot is about 8% shorter than an English foot.

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ van Maanen (2008), p. 22.
  2. ^ a b c d Winfield (2008), p. 290.
  3. ^ "No. 13894". The London Gazette. 21 May 1796. p. 491.
  4. ^ Hepper (1994), p. 83.

References[edit]