View source for HMS Belvidera (1809)

{{short description|Frigate of the Royal Navy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:HMS Belvidera (1809) and USS President (1800).jpg|300px|Belvidera vs. President]]
|Ship caption=Battle between HMS ''Belvidera'' and USS ''President'' on 23 August 1812
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header              = 
| Ship country             = United&nbsp;Kingdom
| Ship flag                = {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
| Ship name                = HMS ''Belvidera''
| Ship owner               =  
| Ship ordered             = 28 September 1808
| Ship builder             = [[Deptford Dockyard]]
| Ship original cost       = 
| Ship laid down           = December 1808
| Ship launched            = 23 December 1809
| Ship acquired            = 
| Ship commissioned        = 
| Ship decommissioned      = 
| Ship in service          = 
| Ship out of service      = 
| Ship renamed             = 
| Ship struck              = 
| Ship reinstated          = 
| Ship honours             = 
| Ship captured            = 
| Ship fate                =*Receiving ship, Portsmouth, 1860
*Sold for breaking, 1906
| Ship notes               = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption={{sfnp|Winfield|2008|p=168}} 
|Ship type={{sclass|Apollo|frigate|0}} [[fifth-rate]] [[sailing frigate|frigate]]
|Ship tons burthen=943{{small|{{frac|53|94}}}} (as designed)
|Ship length=*{{convert|145|ft|m|abbr=on}} (gundeck)
*{{convert|121|ft|9+3/8|in|m|abbr=on}} (gundeck)
|Ship beam= {{convert|38|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship height= 
|Ship draught= {{convert|13|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=Sail
|Ship sail plan=[[Full-rigged ship]]
|Ship speed=
|Ship range= 
|Ship complement=264 
|Ship armament=
*Upper deck:26 × 18-pounder guns
*[[Quarterdeck|QD]]: 2 × 9-pounder guns + 10 × 32-pounder [[carronade]]s
*[[Forecastle|Fc]]: 2 × 9-pounder guns + 4 × 32-pounder carronades
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
[[File:EURYALUS 1803 RMG J5673.jpg|thumb|Plan of an ''Apollo-class frigate'' dated 1803]]

'''HMS ''Belvidera''''' was a [[Royal Navy]] 36-gun {{sclass|Apollo|frigate|1}} built in [[Deptford]] in 1809. She saw action in the [[Napoleonic Wars]] and the [[War of 1812]] and continued a busy career at sea into the middle of the 19th century. In 1846 she was reduced to harbour service, in 1860 she became a [[receiving ship]], and she was finally disposed of in 1906.

==Service==
''Belvidera'' was commissioned in January 1810 under Captain [[Charles Dashwood (Royal Navy officer)|Charles Dashwood]]. In March, Captain [[Richard Byron (Royal Navy officer)|Richard Byron]] replaced Dashwood.{{sfnp|Winfield|2008|p=168}}

On 22 July 1810, ''Belvidera'' and {{HMS|Nemesis|1780|2}}, Captain William Ferris, were sailing close to the shore of Studtland, Norway. That evening a boat from ''Belvedera'' sighted three Danish gun-vessels in a large bay. Next day, seven boats from the two frigates attacked the Danes. Two of the Danish vessels, ''Balder''  and ''Thor'', commanded by Lieutenants Dahlreup and Rasmusen, were [[schooner]]-rigged. Each mounted two long 24-pounders and six 6-pounder howitzers and had a crew of 45 men. The third gun-vessel carried one long 24-pounder and a crew of 25 men. The British captured both ''Balder'' and ''Thor'' without suffering any casualties, though the Danes lost four men killed. The remaining vessel, Gunboat No. 5, ran up a fiord where her crew abandoned her; the British then burnt her.<ref name=LG16402>{{London Gazette|page=1342|issue=16402|date=4 September 1810}}</ref> 
{{main|Battle of Silda}}

In 1811, ''Belvidera'' became the flagship of Admiral [[Herbert Sawyer]] on the [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]] station in Nova Scotia.

===''Belvidera'' and USS ''Constitution''===

''Belvidera'' took part in one of the earliest actions of the [[War of 1812]] when she encountered the American frigates {{USS|President|1800|6}}, {{USS|Congress|1799|6}} and {{USS|United States|1797|6}} on 23 June 1812, five days after the war had started. ''Belvidera'' had been shadowing ''Marengo'' captained by French privateer [[John Ordronaux (privateer)|John Ordronaux]]. The British were not aware that war had been declared and after returning fire they managed to evade their pursuers during the night. ''Belvidera''{{'}}s course during the fight had led the Americans away from a British convoy from [[Jamaica]], allowing the convoy to escape attack. ''Belvidera'' arrived in Halifax on 27 June with three prizes that she captured on the way.{{sfnp|Murdoch|1867|p=329}}{{sfnp|Akins|1895|p=153}}
 
On 16 July 1812, ''Belvidera'' was part of a British squadron that gave chase to {{USS|Constitution}}, another of the [[United States]]' heavy frigates, which was on her way from [[Chesapeake Bay]] to [[New York City|New York]]. In the very light winds, both sides put out boats to tow the ships. ''Constitution'' gained an advantage by using her anchors to pull herself about four miles ahead of ''Belvidera''. Captain Byron then copied the manoeuvre of ''Constitution'' and managed to bring the two ships within gunshot. They exchanged fire as a light breeze came up, and by daylight on 19 July ''Constitution'', being newly out of port, was able to escape.

===Prize-taking===
For the remainder of the war, ''Belvidera'' was active in the [[blockade]] of the American coast, capturing many American merchant ships and [[privateer]]s. Between 1 June 1812 and 14 December 1812, ''Belvidera'' captured a number of merchant vessels:<ref>{{London Gazette|pages=160–161|issue=16715|date=27 March 1813}}</ref>
*brig ''Malcolm'', of 197 tons, sailing from Madeira to Portland, carrying dollars and wine (24 June);
*ship [[Emperor Alexander (1813 ship)|''Fortune'']], of 317 tons, sailing from Cape de Verde to Newbury Port, carrying salt (25 June).
*brig ''Minerva'', of 256 tons, sailing from Liverpool to Boston with coals and salt (6 July; with {{HMS|Africa|1781|2}}, {{HMS|Aeolus|1801|2}} and {{HMS|Shannon|1806|2}});
*ship ''Oronoko'', of 427 tons, sailing from Lisbon to New York, in ballast (11 July; with ''Africa'', ''Shannon'', ''Aeolus'' and {{HMS|Guerriere|1806|2}});
*brig ''Hare'', of 246 tons, sailing from Naples to Boston, with brandy, silks, oil, &c. (1 August); and,
*schooner ''Friendship'', of 98 tons, sailing from Charleston to New York, carrying cotton (11 September). Also, they captured the
*ship ''Eleanor'' (23 July).<ref name=LG17016/>{{efn|First-class shares of the prize money were worth £90 12[[shilling|s]] {{frac|10|1|4}}[[pence|d]] (''Minerva''), £97 16s {{frac|7|1|2}}d (''Oroonoko'') and £44 4s {{frac|11|3|4}}d (''Eleanor''). Sixth-class shares, those of an ordinary seamen, were worth 15s {{frac|7|1|2}}d, 17s {{frac|1|1|2}}d and 7s {{frac|10|3|4}}d.<ref name=LG17016>{{London Gazette|issue=17016|date=27 May 1815|page=999}}</ref>}}

''Belvidera'', ''Aeolus'', ''Africa'', ''Shannon'' and ''Guerriere'' were among the vessels that shared in the proceeds of the capture of {{USS|Nautilus|1799|6}} on 16 July. At the time of her capture she mounted 16 guns, had crew of 106 men and was under the command of Lieutenant [[William M. Crane]].{{efn|A first-class share of the prize money was worth £68 15s 11d; a sixth-class share was worth 12s {{frac|0|3|4}}d.<ref name=LG17040>{{London Gazette|issue=17040|date=15 July 1815|page=1432}}</ref>}}

On 21 August ''Belvidera'' captured the U.S. privateer 7-gun schooner ''Bunker's Hill'', with 72 men.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=17032|date=1 July 1815|page=1288}}</ref>{{efn|A first-class share of the prize money was worth £114 16s 2d; a sixth-class share was worth £1 3s {{frac|10|3|4}}d.<ref name=LG17040/>}} On 10 September ''Belvidera'' detained ''Citizen''.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=17086|date=2 December 1815|page=2402}}</ref> Two days later ''Belvidera'' captured the American schooner ''Hiram''.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=17068|date=7 October 1815|page=2048}}</ref>

''Belvidera'' recaptured the [[Post Office Packet Service]] [[packet trade|packet]] {{ship||Nocton|1807 ship|2}} on 5 January 1813. The {{USS|Essex|1799|6}} had captured ''Nocton'' 11 December 1812. ''Belvidera'' sent ''Nocton'' into Bermuda. After undergoing some refitting ''Nocton'' arrived back at Falmouth on 17 March.{{sfnp|Howat|1984|p=16}}

On 8 February 1813, nine boats and 200 men of {{HMS|Maidstone|1795|2}}, ''Belvidera'', {{HMS|Junon|1810|2}} and {{HMS|Statira|1807|2}}, which were at anchor in Lynhaven Bay, chased and captured the [[letter of marque]] schooner ''Lottery'', of 225 tons, and pierced for 16 guns though only carrying six 12-pounder carronades. She had a crew 28 men and was sailing from Baltimore to Bordeaux with a cargo of coffee, sugar, and logwood. In the engagement the British had six men wounded, one of whom later died, but ''Belvidera'' herself suffered no casualties.<ref>{{London Gazette|pages=550–551|issue=16712|date=16 March 1813}}</ref> The Americans suffered 19 men wounded, including their captain, John Southcomb, before they [[striking the colours|struck]]. Southcomb died of his wounds and his body was taken ashore.{{sfnp|Maclay|2004|pp=464–5}}

A week later ''Lottery'' convoyed several prizes to Bermuda.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=16718|page=699|date=6 April 1813}}</ref> The British took ''Lottery'' into service as the 16-gun schooner {{HMS|Canso|1813|2}}.

''Belvidera'' was among the numerous British warships that shared in the capture of the American ship ''St. Michael'' on 10 February.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=16962|date=3 December 1814|page=2392}}</ref> On 25 September 1813, ''Belvidera'', ''Statira'' and {{HMS|Morgiana|1811|2}} were in company when they captured ''Ambition''.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=16291|date=30 July 1814|page=1541}}</ref>

On 19 December {{HMS|Jaseur|1813|2}} and {{HMS|Niemen|1809|2}} captured ''Rising States''. ''Belvidera'' and {{HMS|Narcissus|1801|2}} shared in the proceeds of the capture by agreement with ''Jaseur''.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=17259|date=14 June 1817|page=1343}}</ref> Then on Christmas Day, ''Belvidera'' captured the schooner {{USS|Vixen|1813|6}}, which was attempting to get from [[Wilmington, North Carolina]], to [[Newcastle, Delaware]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=16864|date=5 March 1814|page=482}}</ref> The US had purchased ''Vixen'' at [[Savannah, Georgia]], in 1813 but when ''Belvidera'' captured her she had not yet received her armament of 14 guns nor naval stores.

On 7 March 1814, ''Belvidera'', {{HMS|Endymion|1797|2}} and {{HMS|Rattler|1795|2}} captured the American [[privateer]] ''Mars''. ''Mars'' was armed with 15 guns and had a crew of 70 men.<ref name=LG17147>{{London Gazette|issue=17147|date=22 June 1816|page=1192}}</ref> A later report has them destroying her on 10 March.<ref name=LG17147/> ''Belvidera'' was also among the vessels sharing in the proceeds of the capture of the brigs ''Christina'' and ''Massasoit'' on 3 and 14 March.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=17361|date=19 May 1818|page=913}}</ref>

On 21 April 1814, ''Belvidera'' captured the US ship {{ship||New Zealander|1808 ship|2}}, of 256 tons, armed with six guns and with a crew of 17 men. She was sailing from the Marquesas to Philadelphia carrying a cargo of [[spermaceti]] oil.<ref name=LG16929>{{London Gazette|issue=16929|date=27 August 1814|page=1730}}</ref> ''New Zealander'', a prize to  {{USS|Essex|1799|6}}, had departed Valparaiso for the United States and was only one day out of New York when ''Belvidera'' captured her. In addition ''Belvidera'' captured the following American vessels:
*schooner ''Nancy and Polly'', carrying shingles (19 June);
*sloop ''Alonzo'' (22 June);
*sloop ''Hunter'', of 60 tons and nine men, sailing from New Burn to New York, carrying tar and turpentine (24 June).<ref name=LG16929/>

==Post-war==
At the end of 1814, ''Belvidera'' was decommissioned at [[Portsmouth]]. She was relaunched on 26 September 1817, having been refitted. She made numerous cruises to the Mediterranean, Portugal, [[Madeira]], and the [[West Indies]]. In 1834 she took troops to [[St Kitts]] and then on a second trip, to [[Trinidad]]. In October 1846 ''Belvidera'' was fitted at Portsmouth as a store depot.{{sfnp|Winfield|2008|p=168}}

Extract from Tobermory, Isle of Mull Old Parish Records dated 23 August 1847 :-
Robert Kerslake Royal Marine on board H M Ship Belvidera at Tobermory Bay and Ann McQuarrie servant or nurse to a Captain Wellington of H M Ship Belvidara Stationed at Tobermory were married by Revd David Ross Minister of Tobermory.

==Fate==
''Belvidera'' was fitted as a receiving ship in between August and November 1852, and she served in that role at Portsmouth until 1890.She was sold on 10 July 1906 to J.B. Garham for £1,800.{{sfnp|Winfield|2008|p=168}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==Citations==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* {{cite book |last=Akins |first=Thomas B. | title=History of Halifax City |series=Collection of the Nova Scotia Historical Society for the years 1892-94 |publisher=Morning Herald Printing and Publishing Company |location=Halifax | year=1895 | isbn=978-0-665-44284-1 | oclc=1198628190 | url=https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.44284 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Howat |first1=J.N.T. |title=South American packets: the British packet service to Brazil, the River Plate, the West Coast (via the Straits of Magellan), and the Falkland Islands, 1808-80 |year=1984 |location= York, England |publisher=Postal History Society in Association with William Sessions |isbn= 0900657952}}
*{{citation| last = James| first = William| authorlink = William James (naval historian)| year = 1837| title = The Naval History of Great Britain, from the Declaration of War by France in 1793, to the Accession of George IV.| publisher = R. Bentley| volume =5}}
* {{cite book |last=Maclay |first= Edgar Stanton |orig-year=1899|year= 2004|title=A History of American Privateers |location=New York |publisher=D. Appleton}}
* {{cite web |last=Murdoch |first=Beamish |author-link=Beamish Murdoch |title=A history of Nova Scotia, or Acadie | url=https://archive.org/details/historyofnovasco03murdiala |year=1867 |volume=3 |location=Halifax |publisher=James Barnes }}
* {{cite book |first1=Rif |last1=Winfield |title=British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates |publisher=Seaforth Publishing|year=2008 |isbn=978-1-86176-246-7}}
{{Apollo class frigate}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Belvidera (1809)}}
[[Category:Frigates of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:1809 ships]]
[[Category:Apollo-class frigates]]
[[Category:Ships built in Deptford]]
[[Category:War of 1812 ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ships in art]]