HMS Agamemnon (1781)

HMS Agamemnon (1781)

HMS "Agamemnon" was a Royal Navy third-rate ship of the line with an armament of 64 guns. She was built at Bucklers Hard on the Beaulieu River in the New Forest, was launched on 10 April 1781, and served until 1809 when she was lost after running aground on a shoal in the mouth of the River Plate.

Launched during the American War of Independence, she was immediately put into commission. Initially destined for the East Indies, she sighted a large Franco-Spanish fleet in the Channel and returned home to report the news to the Admiralty. She then joined the Channel Fleet. In December 1781, she was part of a squadron of 12 of the line under Rear-Admiral Richard Kempenfelt that was sent out to intercept a French fleet and convoy expected to sail from Brest for the West Indies.

Early in 1782 she was sent out to join the British fleet in the Leeward Islands, arriving in time to take part in the Battle of the Saintes.

After the end of the American War, she was laid up in ordinary (at Chatham?) until the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars in 1793.

In 1793, "Agamemnon" was recommissioned under Captain Horatio Nelson and sent out to join the Mediterranean Fleet under Lord Hood. It was during this command that Nelson lost the sight of his right eye at the siege of Calvi, Corsica, in 1794. By 1796 she was worn out and returned home in the summer — without Nelson, by now a commodore, who shifted his broad pennant to the "Captain".

On 22 July 1805 Vice-Admiral Robert Calder was cruising off Cape Finisterre with a fleet of 15 of the line including "Agamemnon" when the combined Franco-Spanish fleet from the West Indies was sighted to windward. The British ships formed into line with "Agamemnon" fifth in line and engaged the enemy in a thick fog. During the action "Agamemnon", which had three wounded, and "Windsor Castle" lost a mast. By nightfall, with his fleet scattered across the ocean, Sir Robert made the signal to break off the action.

On 21 October 1805 "Agamemnon", by then under the command of Sir Edward Berry, took part in the Battle of Trafalgar.

In 1806 she took part in the Battle of San Domingo.

On 20 June 1809, while putting into the River Plate in a storm, she grounded on an unmarked reef and was lost, though without loss of life.

In 1993 the wreck was located north of Gorriti Island in Maldonado Bay. Expeditions led by Mensun Bound have documented the remains and recovered a number of artifacts.

External links

* [http://www.prdobson.com/project/hms-agamemnon-1781/ P.R. Dobson's 3D Recreation of HMS Agamemnon]

References


*Lavery, Brian (2003) "The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850." Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • HMS Agamemnon (1781) — HMS Agamemnon HMS Agamemnon …   Википедия

  • HMS Agamemnon (1781) — Gemälde von Nicholas Pocock – die HMS Agamemnon ist im Hintergrund als drittes Schiff von links zu sehen …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • HMS Agamemnon (1781) — 34°55′59″S 54°58′52″O / 34.93306, 54.98111 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • HMS Agamemnon — Four ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Agamemnon , after the legendary Greek king Agamemnon.*HMS|Agamemnon|1781|6 was a 64 gun third rate launched in 1781. She took part in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and was wrecked in 1809.… …   Wikipedia

  • HMS Agamemnon — Пять кораблей и одна строящаяся подводная лодка Королевского флота носили или носят название HMS Agamemnon, в честь гомеровского царя Агамемнона. HMS Agamemnon  64 пушечный линейный корабль 3 ранга; спущен на воду в 1781. Сражался при… …   Википедия

  • HMS Agamemnon — Cuatro buques de la Royal Navy han sido nombrados HMS Agamemnon, en recuerdo del legendario rey griego Agamenón. navío de línea de 64 cañones botado en 1781. Tomó parte en la Batalla de Trafalgar en 1805 y se hundió en 1809. 1852 y vendido en… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Agamemnon (Homonymie) — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Personnage de la mythologie grecque Agamemnon : héros de la guerre de Troie, frère de Ménélas Titre d œuvre Agamemnon : tragédie grecque d… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • HMS Mistletoe — Banderas Historial Astillero Bermu …   Wikipedia Español

  • HMS Illustrious (1789) — HMS Illustrious was a 74 gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 7 July 1789 at Bucklers Hard.In 1795, Illustrious took part in the Battle of Genoa, famous for the capture of Ça Ira by Captain Nelson aboard… …   Wikipedia

  • HMS Captain (1787) — HMS Captain was a 74 gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 26 November 1787 at Limehouse.At the start of the French Revolutionary War, she was part of the Mediterranean fleet which occupied Toulon at the invitation of the …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”