HMS Nimrod, a Long and Varied Career-- Part 1: A Real Thorn in the Side for Americans

Back when I first came across this ship back on September 4, 2013, there wasn't an article about the ship in Wikipedia.  There is now.

From Wikipedia.

A brig-sloop in the British Navy launched in 1812.  Spent her war years in North American waters where she captured one small privateer, assisted in the capture of another, and captured or destroyed some fifty American vessels.

This ship probably did more damage to the United States than any other British ship.

After the war she captured smugglers and assisted civil authorities.

Wrecked in 1827 and so damaged that the British Navy decided she was not worth repairing.

She was sold, repaired and as a privately owned ship, the Nimrod spent  some 20 more years trading and hauling people between Britain, Charleston, the Mediterranean, India and Australia.  She was last listed in 1851.

--Brock-Perry

HMS Penguin: Brig-Sloop Captured by USS Hornet

From Wikipedia.

The HMS Penguin was a Cruizer-class brig-sloop launched in 1813 and captured by the USS Hornet in 1815, after the War of 1812 was over.  The Hornet then scuttled its prize as it was too heavily damaged.

The ship was 100 feet long and mounted sixteen 32-pdr. carronades, two 6-pdr. bow guns and one 12-pdr. carronade.  It was launched on 29 June 1813.

On March 23, 1815, it engaged the USS Hornet off Tristan de Cunbe and was badly battered, losing ten dead, including its captain James Dickinson and 28 wounded.  After just 22 minutes it was forced to surrender.  The Hornet had just 1 killed and 9 wounded including its captain, James Biddle.  The two ships were fairly-well matched as far as armaments and size, but the American gunnery proved to be much better.

The war had ended, but neither ship had yet received notice.

--Brock-Perry

USS Wasp (1814)-- Part 4: Battle With the HMS Reindeer

On 28 June 1814, the USS Wasp met up with and fought the HMS Reindeer some 225 miles west of Plymouth, England.  The Reindeer was a Cruizer-class brig-sloop like the HMS Nimrod.

The fight only lasted a hard-fought 19 minutes with both ships exchanging murderous grape and solid shot at short distance.  The Reindeer's crew tried to board the Wasp on two occasions, but were repulsed.  Then the Wasp's crew did the same and carried the day.

The Wasp received six hits to its hull and had damage to its rigging but was still able to sail.  The Reindeer had 25 killed, including its captain, Commander William Manner and 42 wounded.  The prisoners were taken on board and the Reindeer set on fire and eventually exploded.

The Wasp then sailed for L'Orient, France and captured the Regulator on July 4th and the Jenny and July 6th.

--Still Another Voyage to Come.  --Brock-Perry

Some War of 1812 Ship Clarification: Cruizer Class and USS Adams

CRUIZER CLASS--  This was a class of British brig-sloops, usually mounting 18 guns.  The HMS Nimrod was a member of this class.

USS ADAMS--  Not to be confused with the USS John Adams.  these were two different ships.

--Brock-Perry