Log Book of the H.M.S. Wasp and the H.M.S. Eridanus, 1813-1817: Finding Aid

History of H.M.S. Wasp (Sloop)

H.M.S. Wasp, a Cruizer class brig-sloop, was ordered on August 30, 1811, laid down in October 1811, launched on July 9, 1812, and fitted out between July 31 and October 3, 1812 at Plymouth, England. She was first commissioned in August 1812, Commander Thomas Everard in command.

Shortly after completion, Wasp was deployed to North America in late April 1813. That June, she was in company with H.M.S. Acasta and H.M.S. Valiant when the three vessels captured the American privateer Porcupine. In 1815, after the cessation of hostilities with the United States, Wasp deployed to the Mediterranean under the command of Commander William Wolrige. Three years later, she was serving in the Leeward Islands.

Between November 1827 and April 1828, Wasp was refitted as a ship-sloop at Portsmouth, recommissioning under the command of Commander William Wellesley for duty in the Mediterranean. In August 1832, she put in at Portsmouth to be returned to brig configuration, and recommissioned in July 1833. Work completed two months later, she sailed for North America and the West Indies, before returning to the Mediterranean, where she was present for the Battle of Acre in November 1840. Duty on the African Station followed, before returning to home waters to be broken up at Sheerness in September 1847.

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

H.M.S. Eridanus, a fifth-rate frigate, was ordered as H.M.S. Liffey on May 4, 1812, laid down in August 1812, launched on May 1, 1813, and fitted out at Chatham between May 1 and July 13, 1813. She was first commissioned in June 1813, under the command of Captain Henry Prescott, and put to sea in home waters following completion. Command transferred to Captain William Paterson in April 1815, and to Captain William King in February 1816. Eridanus was sold on January 29, 1818.

Description of Contents

The Log Book of the H.M.S. Wasp and the H.M.S. Eridanus, comprising 0.19 linear feet of documentation in a single volume of 200 leaves, spans from 1813 to 1817. The logbook, which records course, location, sailing conditions, and daily occurrences, covers cruises by H.M.S. Wasp, spanning July 1, 1813-July 6, 1814, and H.M.S. Eridanus, spanning April 25, 1815-June 25, 1817.

The Wasp, under the commands of Thomas Everard and Thomas Jackson, cruised in the waters of the Caribbean and off the east coast of North America during the War of 1812. Numerous log entries make mention of pursuing and boarding vessels. The Eridanus, under the command of Captain William Paterson, cruised in British and French waters. The entry of June 27, 1815 notes that the British had declared war on France.

Arrangement

The Log Book of the H.M.S. Wasp and the H.M.S. Eridanus comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Patron use restricted to microfilm and digital surrogates.

Copyright and Permission

The Log Book of the H.M.S. Wasp and the H.M.S. Eridanus 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. 43106.

Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

Digital copies of the Log Book produced by H.M.S. Wasp and H.M.S. Eridanus are available in the USNA Digital Collections at https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991003570309706751.

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; Log of the H.M.S. Theseus, H.M.S. Royal George, H.M.S. Sophie, and H.M.S. Seahorse, 1806-1811, MS 155; Order Book of the H.M.S. Penguin, 1808-1876 (bulk 1810-1814), MS 58; and Log Book of Proceedings on board His Majesty's Ship Valiant, 1811-1813, MS 156.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Log Book of the H.M.S. Wasp and the H.M.S. Eridanus, MS 157

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

• Eridanus (Frigate)
• Great Britain -- History, Naval -- 19th century -- Sources
• United States -- History -- War of 1812 -- Naval operations
• Wasp (Sloop)

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Ships' logs

Additional Creator/Author

• Eridanus (Frigate)