Dutch brig Pijl (1785)

Last updated

History
Prinsenvlag.svg Dutch Republic
NamePijl
BuilderAmsterdam
Laid down4 December 1784
Launched19 May 1785
FateSeized 4 March 1796
Naval Ensign of Great Britain (1707-1800).svgGreat Britain
NameHMS Pyl
Acquired1796 by seizure
FateSold 1801
General characteristics [1] [2]
Tons burthen200 (bm) [2]
Length80' (Amsterdam foot) [lower-alpha 1]
Beam25'
Depth of holdDutch: 15¼'
Propulsion Sails
Sail plan Brig
Complement
  • Dutch service:80
  • British service:
    • Brig:70
    • Fireship:45
Armament
  • Dutch service:12-18 guns
  • British service:
    • Brig:12 × 6-pounder guns
    • Fireship:6 × 18-pounder carronades

The Dutch brig Pijl was launched on 19 May 1785 at Amsterdam for the navy of the Dutch Republic. [1] Records exist of her escorting East Indiamen of the Dutch East India Company to Batavia, arriving on 12 February 1787.

Contents

In 1795 at the time of the Batavian Revolution the British Admiralty sent a messenger to Plymouth on 20 January 1795 to detain all Dutch vessels in Port. There were six naval vessels; Pijl among them. There were also six homeward-bound East Indiamen, three outward-bound East Indiamen, and some 60 to 70 other merchant vessels. [3] [4] Vice Admiral Sir Richard Onslow and the British Royal Navy took possession 4 March 1796. The crews were removed from their vessels and taken to prison ships. [5] In September orders arrived at Plymouth that the Dutch naval vessels be equipped for immediate service. [6]

The Navy named and registered Pyl on 25 October 1796, but never commissioned her. She was converted to a fireship in 1798, but never used. [2]

The "Principal officers and commissioners of His Majesty's Navy" offered Pyl for sale on 24 August 1801. [7] She sold 7 September for £765. [2]

Notes

  1. All linear measurements are in Amsterdam feet (voet) of 11 Amsterdam inches (duim) (see Dutch units of measurement). The Amsterdam foot is about 8% shorter than an English foot. The basis of measurement is also different. The data is from Winfield and Van Maanen. [2] [1]

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 van Maanen (2008), p. 31.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Winfield (2008), p. 290.
  3. "News". Whitehall Evening Post (1770) (London, England), January 22, 1795 - January 24, 1795; Issue 7519.
  4. "News". Morning Post and Fashionable World (London, England), 23 January 1795; Issue 7170.
  5. "News". Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser (London, England), 8 March 1796; Issue 20 979.
  6. "Business". London Packet or New Lloyd's Evening Post (London, England), September 16, 1796 - September 19, 1796; Issue 4227.
  7. "No. 15396". The London Gazette . 11 August 1801. p. 991.

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