HMS Meleager (1785)

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HMS Meleager was a 32 gun frigate built in 1785 by Greaves and Nickolson at the Quarry House yard in Frindsbury, Kent, England.[1] She was named after Meleager, who could have been a Macedonian officer of distinction in the service of Alexander the Great, or Meleager, a character from Greek mythology.

Admiral Sir Charles Tyler took command of the Meleager in 1790. In 1793 Lieutenant Thomas Masterman Hardy served aboard her. In 1794 Cockburn commanded her. She took part in The Raid on Genoa (14. March 1795), and the Fight at Hyeres (12 May 1795). In 1796, the ship was part of a squadron off the coast of Genoa under the command of Captain Horatio Nelson.[2] Nelson commanded in HMS Agamemnon accompanied by Meleager, HMS Blanche (32 guns), HMS Diadem (64 guns) and the 16-gun brig-sloop HMS Speedy. [3]

In 1801 she became the command of Thomas Bladen Capel,and was wrecked on 9 June 1801 on the Triangles in the Gulf of Mexico : crew saved.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Merrily to Frendsbury-A History of the Parish of Frindsbury. Derek Barnard. Private Pub. City of Rochester Society. post 1994.
  2. ^ Naval Museum
  3. ^ Print: Geoff Hunt