Talk:HMS Magpie

Page contents not supported in other languages.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

History[edit]

The original Schooner "MAGPIE" was built in England. She was completed on 13 March 1806. Her Master Lieutenent Edward Johnston assumed command on 11 June 1806. He had a crew of 17. She was a new style ship, very hard to control in weather. (Johnston's Court Martial) On being commissoned the vessel was attached to Lord Colville's Fleet with "The Channel Squadron". Lord Colville's Fleet engaged on blockading the French Coast. Amongst other duties Schooners were employed as message boats as they were fast, too lightly armed to engage ships of war. (information gained from Ship's Log) On Sunday, 15 February, 1807, the vessel sailed from Plymouth Sound with dispatches for Commodore Stopford's Squadron which was stationed off Cape Finistere. On Monday 16 Febraury 1807 because of a heavy sea and very strong wind and the vessel losing ground it was decided to shelter the vessel in a bay near Falmouth. On Tuesday 17th February 1807 the wind had moderated somewhat so the anchor was weighed. At about noon the gale returned. At about 3 pm the gale worsened. The hatches were batterned down and all sail was brought in. At 4 pm with tremendous seas running and the gale still violent the Master was obliged to allow the vessel to run with the wind in an attempt to prevent the ship being swamped. On Wednesday 18th July land was sighted and the Master attempted to seek shelter between two islands. However due to the inclement weather and the rough seas he was unable to acnhor and he was obliged to turn the vessel into Parose?? where the vessel grounded and was captured by the French. As the vessel was still seaworthy, the French reassigned the vessel to Admiral Willaumez Fleet. As the French word for Magpie was similar to the Broitish spelling the name "MAGPIE" was retained. The MAGPIE was later retaken by the British after she was captured running an errand for the French Fleet. Lieutenant Johnson was exonerated by a Naval Court Martial on 4 July 1818. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 138.130.250.151 (talkcontribs) 20:06, 23 August 2004

Prince Phillip[edit]

Which of these was under the command of Prince Phillip? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by RSido (talkcontribs) 23:50, 9 February 2007 (UTC).[reply]