HMS Redbridge (1807)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Redbridge and HMS Variable.

History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Redbridge
Builder	America
Launched	1806
Acquired	1807 by capture
Renamed	HMS Variable in 1808
Fate	Sold 1814
General characteristics [1]
Tons burthen	172 (bm)
Length	Overall: 80 ft 5 in (24.5 m) Keel: 67 ft 7 in (20.6 m)
Beam	21 ft 10 in (6.7 m)
Depth of hold	8 ft 0 in (2.4 m)
Sail plan	Schooner
Complement	50
Armament	2 × 6-pounder guns + 8 × 12-pounder carronades

HMS Redbridge was the French schooner Aristotle, built in America. The Royal Navy took her into service as HMS Redbridge in 1807 and renamed her HMS Variable in 1808. She was sold in 1814.

Career

Lieutenant Robert Yates commissioned Redbridge in 1808 in Jamaica.

On 26 July 1812 Variable captured Resolution, which was on her way to Havana with a cargo of flour, rice, etc. Then on 20 August Variable captured Trinidad, which too was on her way to Havana, but with a cargo of lumber. ^[2] On 29 August Variable captured Louisa Antoina, bound to Havan with lumber. ^[3]

In late 1812 Rhodian, Captain John George Boss, and the schooner Variable captured the American privateer Dash. Dash was armed with one gun and had a crew of 30 men. ^[a] Next, Variable and the boats of Rhodian, on 16 September 1812 captured Sarah Ann, of one 12-pounder gun and 44 men. ^{[5] [6]}

In late March 1813 Variable recaptured two vessels and captured two more, all of which she sent into Nassau, Bahamas: ^[7]

• English schooner Mayflower (23 March), laden with flour, from Providence and bound to Providence;
• English brig Dominica Packet (23 March), laden with sugar, coffee, etc., bound to Liverpool. ^[b]
• Spanish schooner Maria (23 March), laden with flour, bound to Havana from Philadelphia.
• American brig Penobscot (27 March), laden with molasses and sugar, bound to Boston from St. Jago de Cuba.

Fate

Variable was sold in 1814. She was struck from the lists on 23 November. ^[1]

Notes

1. Dash, Captain J. Conway, of Norfolk, had earlier captured the schooner HMS Whiting, which had anchored at Hampton Roads, unaware that war had broken out between the United Kingdom and the United States. ^[4]
2. Dominca Packet's captor was the Baltimore privateer Comet. ^[8] Dominica Packet arrived at Nassau on 28 March. ^[9] e

Citations

1. Winfield (2008), p. 364.
2. "No. 16715". The London Gazette . 27 March 1813. p. 629.
3. "No. 16715". The London Gazette . 27 March 1813. p. 630.
4. Emmons (1853), pp. 174–175.
5. "No. 16684". The London Gazette . 22 December 1812. p. 2571.
6. Lloyd's List 29 December 1812, №4732.
7. "No. 16771". The London Gazette . 7 September 1813. p. 1767.
8. Lloyd's List (LL), 18 May 1813, №4771.
9. LL 1 June 1813, №4774.

References

• Emmons, George Foster (1853). The navy of the United States, from the commencement, 1775 to 1853; with a brief history of each vessel's service and fate ... Comp. by Lieut. George F. Emmons ... under the authority of the Navy Dept. To which is added a list of private armed vessels, fitted out under the American flag ... also a list of the revenue and coast survey vessels, and principal ocean steamers, belonging to citizens of the United States in 1850. Washington: Gideon & Co.
• Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN   978-1-86176-246-7.