HMS Alert (1779)

HMS Alert was an 18-gun cutter of the Royal Navy. She took part in the War of American Independence, where she was captured by the French Navy and brought into their service. She was part on the squadron under Grasse until a British frigate recaptured her.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Alert and French ship Alerte.

History
Great Britain
NameHMS Alert
BuilderDover[1]
Laid downOctober 1778[1]
Launched1 October 1779[1]
FateCaptured by France, 25 September 1780
France
NameAlerte
Acquiredby capture, 25 September 1780
In serviceSeptember 1780[1]
FateRecaptured by Great Britain, 28 November 1781[2]
Great Britain
NameHMS Alert
FateSold to break up at Deptford, October 1792
General characteristics [1]
Tons burthen110 (bm)
Length24.0 metres [1]
Beam7.6 metres [1]
Depth of hold3.4 metres [1]
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament18 guns[1]

Service history

British career

Alert was built at Dover in 1779. She patrolled in the Gulf of Biscay until Diligente captured her on 25 September 1780 off the Gironde. The French brought her into service as Alerte.[1]

French career

Alerte was attached to the squadron of Grasse, under Ensign Gallien de Chabons.[1] She took part in the Battle of Fort Royal on 29 April and 30 April 1781.[3][4][5]

On 28 November 1781, the 36-gun frigate HMS Perseverance recaptured her after a long battle.[2] Auxiliary officer Galocheau was wounded and lost an eye.[6]

Fate

Alert was sold to break up at Deptford in October 1792.[1]

Notes

    Citations
    1. Roche (2005), p. 32.
    2. Kerguelen (1796), p. 224.
    3. Kerguelen (1796), p. 182-183.
    4. Troude (1867), p. 100—101.
    5. Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 648—649.
    6. Kerguelen (1796), p. 225.

    References
    • Kerguelen, Yves-Joseph (1796). Relation des combats et des évènements de la guerre maritime de 1778 entre la France et l'Angleterre (in French). Imprimerie de Patris.
    • Lacour-Gayet, Georges (1905). La marine militaire de la France sous le règne de Louis XVI. Paris: Honoré Champion. OCLC 763372623.
    • Roche, Jean-Michel (2005). Dictionnaire des bâtiments de la flotte de guerre française de Colbert à nos jours. Vol. 1. Group Retozel-Maury Millau. ISBN 978-2-9525917-0-6. OCLC 165892922. (1671-1870)
    • Troude, Onésime-Joachim (1867). Batailles navales de la France (in French). Vol. 2. Challamel ainé. OCLC 836362484.
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