HMS Roebuck (1743)

Roebuck subsequently joined Admiral William Rowley's fleet in the Mediterranean, where on 31 October 1744, she was despatched with Stirling Castle, Guernsey and Chatham to watch the Spanish in Cadiz while the rest of Rowley's ships escorted a large flotilla of merchant vessels.[16] In September 1745 she was attached to a small squadron comprising the fifth rates HMS Liverpool and Feversham, the sixth rates Seaford and Kennington, two bomb ketches and two other smaller vessels, with orders to watch Toulon, patrol the coast of Genoa and prevent supplies being transferred between Naples and the Adriatic or along the coast of Italy.[17] Roebuck spent some time at anchor in the port of Leghorn while the powerful ships-of-the-line bombarded the city of Genoa; leaving on 12 October to rejoin the main fleet.[18]

In December 1746, Roebuck, then under the command of Captain John Weller, delivered cannon to the army of Maximilian Ulysses Browne while it lay siege to Antibes.[19] Roebuck remained as part of the blockading fleet under Vice Admiral Henry Medley.[20] On 1 February the Austrians withdrew, fearing an attack from a large force under the Duc de Belle-Isle. Browne also thought the siege ineffective, suggesting the town was being resupplied whenever foul weather blew the blockading ships off station.[20] No longer required, Medley's fleet was reassigned to keeping the Spanish fleet bottled up in Cartagena while Roebuck and some smaller craft were left to protect the islands of Sainte Marguerite and Saint Honorat, occupied at that time by Britain's Austrian allies.[20] On 18 February several small craft were seen on the Cannes shore and Wellard sent in a barca-longa and two feluccas to destroy them. French troops gathered on the beach to protect their boats but the British managed to capture six and destroy many others without losing a man.[20] Four days later, another large force assembled on the shore, this time with artillery, which it was supposed was for an assault on the castle on Sainte Marguerite. Wellard ordered another attack, which came under heavy fire when the cannon on the beach were turned against his modest squadron.[21][22] Roebuck however soon put the batteries out of action and forced the enemy to retreat. The barca-longa had to retire, being in danger of sinking but Roebuck kept up her bombardment until it was too dark to continue. In the process, she received some thirty shot to her hull and much damage to her spars and rigging; six of her crew were killed and 14 wounded.[22][23] To prevent further attempts, Captain George Townsend, at that time commanding a squadron off Provence, was ordered to extend his patrol to include the islands.[22]

When the war ended in October 1748, Roebuck was paid off. She returned to England, where she was surveyed in November.[1] Repairs started in April 1750 at Deptford which took five years and cost the Admiralty £3,128.19.9d. By the time the ship had been refitted at Woolwich, the costs had risen to £8,189.5.2d. Roebuck was brought back into service in July 1755 under Captain Matthew Whitwell.[24]

In December 1756, Roebuck was on the Jamaica Station, under the command of Captain John Hollwall, who later took her to the Leeward Islands.[24] In 1757, Roebuck transported Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaica Station, Vice-Admiral George Townsend to England, arriving at Spithead on 17 July.[25] Hollwell was superseded by Captain Thomas Lynn, who returned the ship to Jamaica in December.[24]

Roebuck was present for the attack on Martinique in 1759.[26] To facilitate attacks on French possessions in the Caribbean, the Leeward Squadron was joined by eight ships-of-the-line and transports containing 4,400 troops under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Peregrine Hopson. The reinforcements arrived in Barbados from England in January.[27] Commodore Sir John Moore retained command of naval operations and the force set sail on 13 January, arriving two days later in Fort-Royal Bay.[28] At 08:00 on 16 January, Roebuck with HMS Winchester and Woolwich, opened fire on the batteries in Cas des Navieres Bay, where it was intended to land the troops. At the same time, HMS Bristol and Rippon attacked Fort Negro, three miles away.[29][28][30] The battery at Cas des Navieres was silenced when the magazine exploded, but Roebuck and the others continued to fire at the shore so the enemy was unable to form up and oppose a landing.[30] The squadron kept up its salvo for much of the following day and provided covering fire when the troops landed at 16:00.[31] Without access to drinking water, and out-numbered by 10,000 French troops and militia, the British were later forced to withdraw and, after a short bombardment of Saint-Pierre on 19 January, it was decided to abandon the invasion altogether and instead attack Guadeloupe.[32][33]

Plan of the assault on Basse-Terre on 23 January 1759, showing Roebuck attacking batteries to the west of the town.

Plan of the attack on 14 February 1759, with Roebuck engaging the guns on the southern corner of Fort Louis.

The British force arrived off Basse-Terre at midday on 22 January and began their attack the following morning.[32] Moore took eight of his largest ships, of between 60 and 90 guns, in to cannonade the enemy batteries and citadel. When the 60-gun Rippon grounded, Roebuck and Bristol were required to sail in and rescue her. By 17:00 the French guns had been put out of action. At 22:00, four bomb ketches began to shell the town.[32] The bombardment continued throughout the night, causing a fire which swept through town destroying buildings and the interior of the citadel.[33][34] On 24 January, troops were landed which quickly occupied Basse-Terre but were unable to capture the governor, who escaped into the mountains.[34] Instead of pursuing however, Hopson decided to consolidate his position and by 30 January, 1,500 of his men had succumbed to disease.[33] On 13 February, Moore sent Roebuck with Berwick, Woolwich, Renown and two bomb ketches to attack Fort Louis, at Point à Pitre, on the Grande Terre side of the island. After a six-hour bombardment, Royal Marines and Highlanders were landed, who occupied the town and fort.[35][36]

On 11 March, Moore received news of a French squadron comprising eight ships-of-the-line and three large frigates. While Roebuck was left to guard the transports, Moore gathered his ships and set sail for Prince Rupert's Bay, Dominica where he was able to resupply and was best placed to monitor the enemy's movements.[37]

After three months of sporadic fighting, on 22 April, the Governor of Guadeloupe eventually offered to surrender. It was accepted by Major General John Barrington, Hopson having died from a tropical illness at the end of February, and terms were agreed on 25 April.[38]