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FERRETER
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(12) |
Gun-brig
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Built in 1801, Blackwall.
Taken in 1807. |
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- 1801 Lieut. MENDS, North Sea/Downs.
FERRETER took part in Lord NELSON's unsuccessful attack on the French Boulogne flotilla on the night of 15 August 1801. She was with the 3rd. division of boats under Capt. COTGRAVE in GANNET and had two seamen wounded before the boats were withdrawn under heavy fire of grape and musketry from the shore. - 1803 Sheerness, in ordinary.
- 1804 On 30 August FERRETER, HECATE and CENSOR sailed from Yarmouth on a cruise and on 14 September FERRETER sent in the KATINKA, B. H. Schoenmaker, master, bound for the North Sea fishery from Rotterdam with salt.
- 1805 Lieut. Henry WEIR, North Sea.
On Sunday 6 October, just as it was growing dark, two large French cutter brigs ran alongside FERRETER, one on each beam and challenged Capt. WEIR to board.
With only 9 guns to their 36 he prepared to surrender but one of the French ships gave him a broadside to which FERRETER replied with her larboard guns.
The two enemy ships wore and carried on firing until 8 o'clock when Capt. WEIR ordered one anchor to be cut away and a useless gun to be pushed overboard.
He also destroyed his confidential books and papers.
The guns were loaded with grape and they all prepared to sell their lives dearly as the enemy came within pistol shot when, to their surprise the two brigs stood away and they saw no more of them.
The next morning FERRETER made for Yarmouth. - On 3 and 4 May 1806 she took the snow ELIZABETH and four fishing vessels.
FERRETER was taken by seven Dutch gunboats in the River Ems on 31 March 1807 after a severe night action in which many of her crew were killed and in October Lieut. WEIR was appointed to command the ALBAN cutter at Falmouth.
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