HMS Fame (1759)
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| History | |
|---|---|
 UK |
|
| Name: | HMS Fame |
| Ordered: | 13 April 1756 |
| Builder: | Bird, Deptford |
| Launched: | 1 January 1759 |
| Renamed: | HMS Guildford, December 1799 |
| Fate: | Sold out of the service, 1814 |
| Notes: | Prison ship from December 1799 |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Class & type: | 74-gun third rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen: | 1565 tons (1590.1 tonnes) |
| Length: | 165 ft 6 in (50.44 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam: | 46 ft 7 in (14.20 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 19 ft 10 in (6.05 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Sail plan: | Full rigged ship |
| Armament: |
|
HMS Fame was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Deptford on 1 January 1759. She was designed by William Bateley, and was the only ship ever built to her draught.[1]
In 1762, while in company with Lion, she captured the French 10-gun ship Ecureuil.[citation needed] On 20 January 1768, she was driven from her moorings at Plymouth, Devon onto St. Nicholas Island and was severely damaged. She collided with the Irish ships Freemason and Valentine. The former was also driven ashore on St. Nicholas Island, the latter sank in the Hamoaze.[2] HMS Fame was refloated on 5 February and taken in to Plymouth for repairs.[3]
In 1778, commanded by Captain Stephen Colby, she proceeded to the North American station in a fleet of 14 ships commanded by Vice-Admiral the Hon. John Byron with his flag in Princess Royal.[citation needed]
On 6 July 1779, commanded by Captain John Butchart, Fame took part in the Battle of Grenada against the French. The French fleet, under Admiral D’Estaing, consisted of 25 ships of the line and several frigates. The British fleet, under Vice-Admiral Byron, had 21 ships of the line and 1 frigate. The French were anchored off Georgetown on the south-west of the island, and the English approached during the night. D’Estaing weighed at 4 am and Byron chased. The British ships attacked in utter disorder and confusion. Fame and three other ships got separated from the main body, and were very badly mauled. The French lost no ships and eventually hauled off. The British lost 183 killed and 346 wounded. Fame lost 4 killed and 9 wounded. The French lost 190 killed and 759 wounded. This action reflected no credit on either side.[citation needed]
In 1782, commanded by Captain Robert Barbor, she was one of a fleet of 36 ships of the line under Admiral Sir George Rodney, who flew his flag in Formidable. They met in the West Indies between Dominica and Guadeloupe a French fleet of 33 ships of the line commanded by Vice-Admiral Comte de Grasse with his flag in Ville de Paris. The fighting was spread over several days, and the French were defeated in the Battle of the Saintes.
George Vancouver served as lieutenant on this Fame under Captain Robert Barbor during this engagement. Vancouver later went on captain his own ship, HMS Discovery, on a voyage of discovery to the Pacific Northwest in search of the Northwest passage.[citation needed]
In December 1799, Fame was renamed Guilford and fitted as a prison ship. She was eventually sold out of the service in 1814.[1][4]
Notes
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.
- Michael Phillips. Fame (74) (1759). Michael Phillips' Ships of the Old Navy. Retrieved 31 August 2008.
