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DERWENT
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(18) |
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Built in 1807, Plymouth (Cruizer class).
Sold in 1817. |
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- 1807 Fred.
PARKER, Channel. - 1808 Ditto, coast of Africa.
Small privateers fitted out at Senegal had been attacking trade around Cape Verde so Major W. Maxwell of the Royal Africa Corps who commanded the garrison on the island of Goree determined to attack the place.
When SOLEBAY, flying the pendant of Commodore Edward COLUMBINE, the Governor of Sierra Leone, the gun-brig TIGRESS, the AGINCOURT transport and the colonial schooner GEORGE and some merchant vessels under convoy arrived on 24 June he considered that with DERWENT they had sufficient force to reduce Senegal provided they could cross the bar at the mouth of the river.
They embarked six officers, six sergeants and 150 men from Goree on the AGINCOURT transport and sailed on 4 July 1809, arriving off the bar on the 7th. - The following morning the troops were passed over the bar with the loss of Capt. PARKER, midshipman Francis Atterbury SEALY and six seamen from DERWENT who were drowned in the attempt.
Lieut. Joseph Swabey TETLEY, the senior of SOLEBAY was promoted to the command of DERWENT by Commodore COLUMBINE.
The GEORGE went ashore inside the bar but was re-floated by the efforts of Lieut. Daniel WOODRIFF of SOLEBAY after other attempts had failed. - When the detachment of troops, together with 120 seamen and 50 marines, were landed, the enemy force of 160 regulars and 240 militia at first offered some resistance but then retreated to the post at Babague, 12 miles up the river, which was protected by a battery and a boom and boats across the river.
SOLEBAY and DERWENT anchored opposite the post and opened a bombardment which resulted in a French surrender and Major MAXWELL took possession of the battery's on the Isle aux Anglois and at Guetendar. - The capitulation was signed on 13 July surrendering the Isle of St. Louis and its dependencies to Britain.
The French troops, numbering 160 regulars and 240 militia, were sent back to France as prisoners on parole.
Apart from the officers and men from DERWENT mentioned above, the only British losses were one military officer, who died of heat stroke, and one soldier wounded.
Twenty-eight long 24-pounders, four bass mortars and howitzers and sixteen other guns were captured in Senegal. - SOLEBAY was wrecked on 11 July when she went on shore as she moved up the river.
All her people and part of her stores were saved. - DERWENT returned home and on 12 September 1809 a court martial was held at Portsea on John ASHLEY, carpenter of DERWENT for being so drunk when ordered on duty at the capture of Senegal that he was unable to lead his men in the attack.
He was sentenced to be dismissed the service and to be imprisoned it the Marshalsea for six months. - 1810 George Manners SUTTON, 04/1810, Channel.
He captured the French privateer RAFLEUR on 30 July 1811.
Out of Granville, she carried 20 men armed with small arms. - On 7 February 1813 he captured the French privateer EDOUARD off the Lizard.
Pierced for 16 guns but mounting only eight and with 49 men on board, she had left St. Malo the previous evening. - 1814 Ditto, Plymouth for the Newfoundland Station.
Relieved by Thomas WILLIAMS, 06/1814, Newfoundland. - 1815 Mediterranean.
- 1816 Chatham.
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