Nassau

Posted by Jon Miller on Sunday 26th of July 2026 05:24

The Loss of the Nassau, by an officer on board: The Nassau, of 64 guns, Captain Tripp, in proceeding (with two pilots on board) from the Downs to the Helder, struck between twelve and one o’clock, on Friday morning, the 25th of October, on a sand called the North Haak, about four leagues to the northward of the Helder, the wind blowing very hard and right on shore. The launch was immediately got ready to carry out an anchor, but the sea ran so high, that she instantly filled with water, and was lost. Very shortly after, the wind and sea increased with such violence that all our efforts to save the ship were ineffectual, and she bilged and filled with water. Our situation was now become very perilous, the sea breaking over the ship, and at every break we expected that she would have gone to pieces.
Our fleet at the Helder was in sight, but they could give us no assistance. At length, and as soon as it was possible, the Jalouse armed brig, Captain Temple, came off, and anchored as close to the Nassau as she could, but for her own safety; but for a considerable time no sort of assistance could she give us, as the sea ran mountains high, and no boats could live in it. Fortunately, however, as the day advanced, the wind moderated a little, wen the boats of the Nassau and the Jalouse were employed in taking some of the officers and men on board the latter; but in the evening, before they could all be removed, the wind increased with redoubled fury, and the last boats that put off could not return. Then despair was in every countenance; some of the oldest seamen gave themselves up as lost, retired to their hammocks, and by no persuasion could be induced to leave them, and were drowned as the ship filled with water. The Captain was still on board, and remained to the last, exhorting and encouraging his men with hopes of safety, by shewing in himself no sense of danger, and by hid determination, against every entreaty, not to quit the ship until every other person had left her.
Captain Mackintosh of the Marines, a very valuable officer, and Mr Bennet, the Purser, a very respectable man, with some seamen, thought however they could reach the Jalouse in a boat, and entreated the Captain to spare one, which was granted them; but they had not proceeded the ship’s length before he sea broke over them, and they all perished. In this state of danger and horror did the Captain, with some of his officers and men, remain till ten o’clock on Saturday morning, when Admiral Dickson sent off vessels and brought them away from the wreck. Nothing was saved from the ship. [Hampshire Telegraph, 25 November 1799]

Posted by Jon Miller on Saturday 25th of July 2026 13:31

Portsmouth, 9 November 1799: The following are known to have been drowned on board the Nassau man of war:
Andrew McIntosh, Esq, Captain of Marines; Mr E Bennett, Purser; Mr Hugh Owen, Midshipman; Charles Youle, captain’s coxswain; Robert Chambers, boatswain’s mate; Dan McNeal, sailmaker; Patrick Helmsley, captain of the fore-castle; David Gammell, captain of ditto; Thomas Scales; Thomas Lowe; John Coleman, boy; and John gent, warranted caulker.
By the exertions of John Temple, Esq, commander of the Jalouse sloop of war, 250 of the persons on board were saved, and have arrived at Yarmouth. [Hampshire Telegraph, 11 November 1799]

Posted by Jon Miller on Monday 15th of June 2026 18:35

The following are known to have been drowned on board the Nassau man of war:- Andrew McIntosh, Esq, captain of marines; Mr E Bennet, purser; Mr Hugh Owen, midshipman; Charles Youle, captain’s coxswain; Robert Chambers, boatswain’s mate; Dan McNeal, sailmaker; Patrick Helmsley, captain of the fore-castle; David Gammel, ditto; Thomas Scales; Thomas Lowe; John Coleman, boy; and John Gent, warranted caulker.
By the exertions of John Temple, Esq, commander of the Jalouse sloop of war, 250 of the persons on board were saved, and have arrived at Yarmouth. [Hampshire Telegraph, 11 November 1799]

Posted by Jon Miller on Monday 15th of June 2026 16:00

It is with great concern that we have to state the confirmation of another man of war being totally lost. It is the Nassau, Captain Tripp, of 64 guns. In the gale on Friday night, she was driven by a strong current on a sand bank near the Texel, and although every possible assistance was afforded to save the crew, we have to lament that Captain A McIntosh, of the Marines, Mr Bennet, the Purser, and forty men perished. Their loss is said to have been occasioned by a part of thee seamen, being intent on plunder, bidding defiance to all discipline. All the other officers and men were, however, happily saved. [Hampshire Telegraph, 4 November 1799]