HMS Berbice (1780)
HMS Berbice was a schooner that the Royal Navy purchased in the West Indies in 1780, and that for a time served as a tender to HMS Adamant, the flagship of Sir Richard Hughes in the Leeward Islands Station. She was commissioned in July 1781. Between 1782 and 1783 Lieutenant Thomas Boulden Thompson commanded her. On 23 February 1782 she was at English Harbour, almost ready, but without any crew.
History | |
---|---|
Great Britain | |
Name | HMS Berbice |
Acquired | 1780 by purchase |
Fate | Condemned 1788 |
General characteristics [1] | |
Tons burthen | 12066⁄94(bm)[2] |
Length | 72 ft 9 in (22.2 m) (overall); 54 ft 0 in (16.5 m) (keel) |
Beam | 20 ft 6 in (6.2 m) |
Depth of hold | 6 ft 0 in (1.8 m) (overall) |
Propulsion | Sails |
Sail plan | Schooner |
Complement | 42 |
Armament | 6 × 3-pounder guns + 2 × 12-pounder carronades + 8 × ½-pounder swivel guns + 6 musketoons |
Between 1784 and autumn 1786, when he returned to England in Adamant, Berbice's commander was Mr. James Bremer.
Berbice was condemned at Antigua on 12 September 1788.[2]
Berbice apparently later became HMS Berbice.[3][4]
The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich has a one-page drawing labeled "A DRAWING OF HIS MAJESTY'S ARM'D SCHOONER BERBICE, THE 5TH AUG 1789" that comprises a sheer plan, body lines, deck plan, lines, and a view of her stern. These drawings represent the earliest draught of what became known as the Baltimore Clipper.[5]
Citations
- Winfield (2007), p. 356.
- Winfield (2008), p. 334.
- "NMM, vessel ID 380828" (PDF). Warship Histories, vol xii. National Maritime Museum. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- Winfield (2008), p. 356.
- Karl Heinz Marquardt F.A.S.M.A.: H.M. Armed Schooner BERBICE 1789.]