HMS Milford (1759)

For other ships of the same name, see HMS Milford.
History
Great Britain
Name: HMS Milford
Ordered: 19 September 1757
Builder: Richard Chitty, Milford
Laid down: November 1757
Launched: 20 September 1759
Completed: 28 December 1759
Commissioned: July 1759
Fate: Sold to be taken to pieces at Woolwich 17 May 1785
General characteristics
Class & type: 28-gun Coventry-class sixth-rate frigate
Tons burthen: 588 7294 bm
Length:
  • 118 ft 3 in (36.0 m) (gundeck)
  • 97 ft 5 in (29.7 m) (keel)
Beam: 33 ft 9 in (10.3 m)
Depth of hold: 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Sail plan: Full-rigged ship
Complement: 200 officers and men
Armament:
  • Upperdeck: 24 × 9-pounder guns
  • QD: 4 × 3-pounder guns
  • Also: 12 × ½-pdr swivel guns

HMS Milford was a 28-gun Coventry-class sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She was built at Milford by Richard Chitty and launched in 1759.[1] She was sold for breaking at Woolwich on 17 May 1785.

Service History

On 6 June 1776, the Milford captured the American privateer Yankee Hero, a 14-gun, single-deck sloop, after a two-hour battle. The Americans had believed they were chasing a merchantman, but reversed course when they came close enough to recognize the British ship of war. The Milford gave chase and caught up to the much smaller ship after about an hour, firing only bow chasers until she was able to come along and give a full broadside. The Yankee Hero's sails were shredded and almost half her crew incapacitated. Her commander, Captain James Tracy ordered the surrender when they were no longer able to either fight or flee. Four or five of the Yankee Hero's crew were killed and twelve or thirteen wounded, including the captain.[2]

On 15 March 1779, the British warships Apollo, Porcupine, and Milford captured the French privateer cutter Tapageur.[3] The Royal Navy took her into service under her existing name.

References

  1. J D Davies (1 July 2013). Britannia's Dragon: A Naval History of Wales. History Press Limited. p. 65. ISBN 978-0-7524-9410-4.
  2. "Privateer Yankee Hero". The Essex Journal. 22 August 1776. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
  3. The London Gazette: no. 12016 . p. 4. 21 September 1779.
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