French frigate Vénus (1806)

The Vénus was a Junon-class frigate of the French Navy. She was captured in 1810 by the Royal Navy, and taken into British service as HMS Nereide. She was broken up in 1816.

Capture of HMS Ceylon
History
French Navy EnsignFrance
NameVénus
NamesakeVenus
Ordered26 March 1805
BuilderLe Havre
Laid downApril 1805
Launched5 July 1806
In serviceAugust 1808
Captured18 September 1810
United Kingdom
NameNereide
FateBroken up in 1816
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Tons burthen1148 bm
Length46 metres (151 ft)
Beam12 metres (39 ft)
Draught7 metres (23 ft)
Complement330 men
Armament
ArmourTimber

French service

On 10 November 1808, she departed Cherbourg, bound for Île de France, where she served as Rear-Adm Hamelin's flagship, leading a squadron also comprising the frigate Manche and the sloop Créole.

On the 29 and 30 December 1808, she captured and destroyed the East Indiamen Hiran and Albion. On 4 November 1809, she captured the East Indiaman Lady Bentick and the American merchantman Samson.

She was central in the action of 18 November 1809, where the squadron captured three armed East Indiamen, including Windham.

From 20 to 26 August 1810, Vénus took a minor part in the Battle of Grand Port.

On 17–18 September 1810, along with the privateer corvette Victor, Vénus captured the 40-gun HMS Ceylon, losing her fore-mast and her topgallant masts in the process. The next day, a British squadron composed of HMS Boadicea, HMS Otter and the brig HMS Staunch captured Vénus and recaptured Ceylon. Victor managed to escape.

British service

Vénus was brought into British service as HMS Nereide, in honour of the defence of HMS Nereide at Grand Port. She subsequently took part in the blockade and surrender of Île de France.

Fate

She was broken up in 1816.

References

  • Roche, Jean-Michel (2005). Dictionnaire des bâtiments de la flotte de guerre française de Colbert à nos jours 1 1671–1870. p. 459. ISBN 978-2-9525917-0-6. OCLC 165892922.

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