HMS Buffalo (1813)
HMS Buffalo was a storeship of the Royal Navy, originally built and launched at Calcutta in 1813 as the merchant vessel Hindostan. The Admiralty purchased her that year after she arrived in Britain. She later transported convicts and immigrants to Australia, before being wrecked in 1840.
Launch and purchase
Hindostan was built of teak by James Bonner and James Horsburgh, of Firth, in 1813 at Calcutta. The Calcutta Gazette, reporting on her launch, described her as a merchantman built to carry grain rice.
On 13 October 1813, after a six month maiden voyage, Hindostan arrived in Blackwall, London. She had left Bengal on 18 February, passed the Point de Galle on 13 March, stopped at St Helena on 9 June, and arrived at The Downs on 10 August.
The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty purchased her on 22 October. David Webster (representing the builders), brokered the sale price of £18,000 for Hindostan. The Navy Board renamed her HMS Buffalo, designated her a sixth rate, and employed her as a storeship.
HMS Buffalo
A number of ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Buffalo:
USS Ardent (AM-340)
The second USS Ardent (AM-340) was a Auk-class minesweeper in the United States Navy.
Ardent was originally laid down as HMS Buffalo (BAM-8), for the Royal Navy on 20 February 1943 at Alameda, California, by the General Engineering & Drydock Co.; rescheduled for delivery to the United States Navy; renamed Ardent and redesignated AM-340 on 24 May 1943; launched on 22 June 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Bernadette Armes, the daughter-in-law of George A. Armes, President of the General Engineering & Drydock Co., and commissioned on 25 May 1944, Lt. Comdr. Allan D. Curtis in command.
World War II Pacific operations
During the first seven months of her career, Ardent escorted convoys and ships operating between the west coast of the United States and the Hawaiian Islands, though she also ranged as far as Eniwetok in the Marshalls and Tarawa in the Gilberts.
Sinking of the Japanese submarine I-12
The highlight of her service during this period occurred on 13 November. Ardent and the frigate USS Rockford (PF-48) were escorting a six-ship convoy midway between Honolulu and the United States. At 12:32, Ardent's sonar picked up a submarine contact. Ardent attacked first at 12:41, firing a 24-charge "hedgehog" pattern, and again at 12:46 with a second "hedgehog" pattern. Rockford left her escort station to assist, and fired her first barrage of rockets from her "hedgehog" at 13:08; two explosions followed, before an underwater detonation rocked the ship.
HMS Buffalo (1797)
HMS Buffalo was 12-gun storeship built as the merchant vessel Fremantle. She was purchased by the Royal Navy and launched in 1797.
In December 1797 William Raven was appointed commander for a voyage from England to New South Wales. In October 1800 she sailed for England under the command of William Kent. Under Kent she sailed from England to return to Australia, arriving on 13 June 1804.
In 1804 she was involved in establishing the settlement at George Town, Tasmania by William Paterson.
In 1805 she was commanded by John Oxley.
She was hulked in 1814 and sold in 1817.
See also
References
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