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REDBREAST
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(12) |
Gun-brig
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Built in 1805, Yarmouth.
Hulk in 1815. |
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- She was launched on the morning of Saturday 27 April at the yard of Mr John Preston of Yarmouth. She was followed on the following Thursday by EXERTION.
- 1805 Lieut. John MAXWELL, Channel.
- 1807 Lieut. J. B. HARRISON, Channel.
- 1808 Lieut. Sir George Mouat KEITH, 03/1808, Baltic expedition.
On 9 and 11 August 1808 detachments from REDBREAST, ROSAOND and ALEXANDRIA manned two gunboats on the rivers Jade and Weser and captured the Danish privateer MOSIN, one 4-pounder.
and a Dutch gunboat, No.
206, armed with one long 18-pounder and two 4-pounders. - 1811 Heligoland.
While the boats of the squadron (ALERT, RAVEN, EXERTION, REDBREAST and PRINCESS AUGUSTA) under Capt. HAWTAYNE of QUEBEC were towing out a merchant vessel near the island of Nordeney on 3 August they saw four of the enemy's gunboats at anchor within.
The enemy waited for the attack with guns loaded with grape and canister until the boats came within pistol shot when they opened fire together.
Nevertheless the first vessel was boarded and taken followed by the others in their turn.
Four of the people in the boats were killed and fourteen wounded including George DOWNEY, the carpenter of REDBREAST. The enemy lost two killed and twelve wounded.
The four gunboats each mounted a long 12-pounder and two 6 or 8 pounders.
They carried a crew of 24 men. - At the end of November 1813 REDBREAST joined the squadron (BLAZER, PIERCER, REDBREAST and seven gunboats) assembled by Capt. GREEN of SHAMROCK to co-operate with a detachment of Russian troops commanded by Col. Alexander Radinger in an attack on Cuxhaven (or Phare).
Capt. FARQUHAR of DESIREE took command of the squadron on the 28th.
The gunboats and the Russian field-guns bombarded Fort Napoleon on the 29th. while the squadron landed men and guns to form a battery of six 18-pounders, two 32-pounders and two 6-pounders.
When it was complete by the morning of the 30th. it was obscured by the morning mist, but when this cleared and the enemy saw the strength opposing them they immediately asked for a truce which ended in the surrender of two strong batteries consisting of twenty-six heavy guns with a garrison of 300 officers and men.
REDBREAST brought the officers back to England as prisoners of war. - Capt. FARQUHAR and his squadron anchored off Gluckstadt on 23 December for the purpose of co-operating with a detachment of the Crown Prince of Sweden's army in the reduction of the fortress.
Guns were landed from DESIREE to form a battery and, since there was not sufficient water for DESIREE to approach, two long 18-pounders from her were placed in each brig and a general attack was made by the brigs and gunboats on the morning of the 26th.
After an investment of sixteen days and a bombardment of six, the garrison surrendered on the 5 January 1814.
REDBREAST received a number of shot in the hull and her rigging was damaged.
A seaman, Lewis TRIKO, was killed and a boy, William MORSE, wounded. - 1814 Sir George was promoted to commander on 16/03/1814 and REDBREAST was rated as a sloop so that he continue in her.
- 1815 Plymouth.
- 1816 Portsmouth.
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