Log of the H.M.S. Theseus, H.M.S. Royal George, H.M.S. Sophie, and H.M.S. Seahorse, 1806-1811: Finding Aid

History of H.M.S. Seahorse (Frigate)

H.M.S. Seahorse, a 38-gun frigate, was ordered by the Admiralty on February 2, 1793, laid down in March 1793, launched on June 11, 1794, and completed in September 1794 at Deptford. She was commissioned in July 1794, Captain John Peyton in command.

Early in her career, operating in home waters and off the coast of Europe, she took part in the capture of the privateers Calvados (July 1796) and L'Indemnité (August 28, 1796), as well as the Princesa (September 16, 1796), before sailing for the Mediterranean early in 1797. Later in the year, while under the command of Captain Thomas Fremantle, she took part in Horatio Nelson's failed assault at the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (July 22-25, 1797). Returning to the Mediterranean in March 1798, she served with Samuel Hood's squadron off Alexandria, Egypt in August, and was present when the French garrisons at Naples surrendered in June 1799. After grounding off Livorno, Italy in July of that year, she returned home in October before sailing back to the Mediterranean as Rear Admiral Richard Bickerton's flagship in May 1800.

Following repairs at Portsmouth, England in the spring of 1803, she was recommissioned in May of that year, under the command of Captain Courtnay Boyle, for action during the Napoleonic Wars. Spending much of her time in the Mediterranean, she captured a store ship at San Pedro (May 4, 1805), Badere-i-Zeffee (May 7, 1807), and the privateer La Stella di Napoleon (May 5, 1810), as well as sinking the Aziz Fezzan (May 7, 1807).

Undergoing repairs in 1812, Seahorse was recommissioned in September 1812, under the command of Captain Sir James Gordon. In November, she sailed for North America for action during the War of 1812, and was engaged in the Potomac River at the time of the burning of Washington in August 1814. Returning to Portsmouth, England, she was laid up in September 1815, and was broken up there four years later, in July 1819.

Description of Contents

The Log of the H.M.S. Theseus, H.M.S. Royal George, H.M.S. Sophie, and H.M.S. Seahorse, comprising 0.23 linear feet of documentation in a single volume of 269 leaves, spans from 1806 to 1811. The logbook covers cruises of H.M.S. Theseus, spanning August 18-27, 1806; H.M.S. Royal George, spanning August 28-November 9, 1806; H.M.S. Sophie, spanning November 10-December 28, 1806; and H.M.S. Seahorse, spanning May 1, 1808-June 22, 1811.

The majority of the logbook is devoted to the Mediterranean cruise of H.M.S. Seahorse during the Napoleonic Wars. In addition to recording the ship's course, speed, location, and sailing conditions, the log notes Seahorse's engagement and capture of other vessels, as well as attacks on several Mediterranean islands (May 10 and 25, 1809).

Arrangement

The Log of the H.M.S. Theseus, H.M.S. Royal George, H.M.S. Sophie, and H.M.S. Seahorse comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Patron use restricted to microfilm.

Copyright and Permission

The Log of the H.M.S. Theseus, H.M.S. Royal George, H.M.S. Sophie, and H.M.S. Seahorse is the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Purchased from B. F. Stevens & Brown, Ltd. Accessioned on June 2, 1902. Accession No. 43105.

Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

This collection also available on microfilm.

Related Archival Material

Additional Royal Navy logbooks available in this repository include the Remark-Book of the H.M.S. Alert, 1847-1849, MS 59; Order Book of the H.M.S. Penguin, 1808-1876 (bulk 1810-1814), MS 58; Log Book of Proceedings on board His Majesty's Ship Valiant, 1811-1813, MS 156; and Log Book of the H.M.S. Wasp and the H.M.S. Eridanus, 1813-1817, MS 157.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Log of the H.M.S. Theseus, H.M.S. Royal George, H.M.S. Sophie, and H.M.S. Seahorse, MS 155

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:

Winfield, Rif. British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793-1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Seaforth Publishing, 2008.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in May 2020.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Great Britain -- History, Naval -- 19th century -- Sources
• Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815 -- Naval operations
• Royal George (Ship-of-the-line)
• Seahorse (Frigate)
• Sophie (Brig-sloop)
• Theseus (Ship-of-the-line)

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Ships' logs