The exploits of a small ship...

[Portsdown]

I think many Captains look down on the humble Cutter, aspiring to Polish the Headlands of France with a 74. The life of a Cutter commander could be quite fun.

 

Here is the tale of the 8 year service of HM Cutter Pickle (8), 35 men, 127 tons bm:

 

Note that 'Tender' and 'Cutter' are equivalent.

 

1800

 

Leeward Island (Caribean) Station

9 Apr. with HM Tender Garland retook schooner Hero, 7 men, 136 tons bm.
16 Apr. with HM Tender Garland took Dutch schooner Maria. 19 men, 35 tons bm
9 May. took American schooner Jack, of Boston

Tender to HM Ship Sans Pareil (80)

26 May. retook schooner John
30 Jun. with HM Tender Gipsy, took French privateer schooner Fidelle (4), 61 men

Sep. Tender to HM Ship Nereide (32) during the capture of Curacao

 

1801

 

29 Jul. Escort to Convoy. HM Ship Lowestoffe (32) arrived to join escort. Lowestoffe and 5 Merchantmen wrecked.
25 Sep. Engagement with Spanish privateer (4), 70 men. Privateer was under false British flag and fled after a 1 hr engagement which included and attempted boarding by the Spanish ship. Lt Greenshields (commanding) was killed, 9 others wounded.
Sep. Return to England with the body of Adm Seymour

 

1802

 

Feb. Delivered high priority dispatches to the UK from Malta. The voyage took 14 days.

 

1803

 

Attached to Cornwallis' Inshore Squadron. Reconnaissance of the harbours of Brest, Rochefort and Lorient.

1 Jun. with HMS Diana took French brig Euphrosiné
9 July took Prudent

Oct. Cruising in the channel.

22 Oct detained American vessel Resolution

 

1804

 

19 Jan. Lost main-topmast and fore-yard in a gale.
25 Mar. with HM vessels ,Fox, Indefatigable, Aigle. Went to assistance, Magnificent (74), run onto a shoal off Brest. Rescued crew before vessel foundered.
26 Jul. Seaman from Pickle, and one other, flogged round the fleet in the Hamoaze for insolence, desertion and disobedience.
24-15 Sep. with HMS Boadicea in sight, took two French chasse-marées loaded with supplies for French fleet at Brest

 

1805

 

9 Jul. with HMS Naiad (34), took brig Argo and sloop Nelly
19 Jul. becalmed in traits of Gibraltar. Extended harassment by Spanish gunboats, eventually rising to 7. 1 man wounded
29 Sep. took American brig Indefatigable
9 Oct. with HM Brig-Sloop Weazel (18)  to watch the coast of Cadiz
Oct. took Portuguese settee carrying bullocks to Cadiz
21 Oct. with others, Battle of Trafalgar. Sationed NW of the line led by HMS Victory.
21 Oct with HM Cutter Entreprenante (10) and boats of Prince (98) and Swiftsure (74). To the aid of French Achille (74) on fire and subsequently exploded. Prisoners outnumber RN crew 3:1 and plot to take Pickle. Vigilance avoids this.
4 Nov. Arrive Falmouth with Trafalgar Dispatch.

 

1806

 

15 Apr. with 2 Scilly Pilot Boats, took Prussian ship Elizabeth Henrietta

 

1807

 

3 Jan. with  HM Brig-Sloop Scorpion (18) in distant attendance took French privateer Favorite (14), 70 men, by boarding.

 

1808

26 Jul. Wrecked off Cadiz due to navigational error

Edited February 15, 2015 by Portsdown