Phoebe

Posted by Jon Miller on Sunday 19th of July 2026 10:04

Plymouth, 27 May 1801: The Phoebe, 36, Captain Barlow, is hauled alongside the Yarmouth hulk, in Hamoaze, to be stripped previous to going into dock. [Exeter Flying Post, 4 June 1801]

Posted by Jon Miller on Sunday 19th of July 2026 09:56

Plymouth, 6 June 1801: Captain Baker was this day appointed to the Phoebe, 36, vice Captain Barlow, appointed to the Audacious. [Exeter Flying Post, 11 June 1801]

Posted by Jon Miller on Saturday 18th of July 2026 12:39

Prize Money: Phoebe – On board, at Plymouth, before she proceeds to sea, for the re-capture of the ship Britannia , Jan 31, 1801. Recall at No 17, Cecil-street, London. [Hampshire Telegraph, 8 June 1801]

Posted by Jon Miller on Tuesday 14th of July 2026 16:03

Phoebe, at Sea, 20 leagues east of Gibraltar, 20 February 1801: Captain Robert Barlow to Admiral the Rt Hon Lord Keith -
I have the honout to inform your Lordship, that yesterday, about four o’clock in the afternoon, His Majesty’s ship under my command, being about two leagues to the eastward of Gibraltar, I discovered one of the enemy’s ships under Ceuta, sailing with a crowd of sail to the eastward: I had the good fortune to bring her to a close action about half past seven the same evening, which continued within pistol-shot with unremitting fury about two hours, the enemy resolutely opposing the animated and skilful exertions of my brave officers and men, until his ship was almost a wreck, five feet water in her hold, her guns dismounted, and literally encumbered with dead, the number if which amounted to two hundred, and of wounded, to one hundred and forty-three.
She proves to be the French frigate L’Africaine, of forty-four guns, viz, twenty-six eighteen-pounders on her main-deck, and eighteen nine-pounders on her quarter-deck, and forecastle, she is a fine ship about three years old, under the orders of the Chief of Division Saunier, whose broad pendant was flying, and who, (with many principal officers officers both of the troops and of the marines.) was slain in the action, and commanded by Captain Magendie, who is amongst the wounded.
At the commencement of the action she had 715 men; viz, four hundred troops, and artificers of various descriptions, under the command of General Desfourneaux, and a crew of three hundred and fifteen officers and seamen; also six brass field-pieces, several thousand stand of arms, ammunition, and implements of agriculture. She sailed from Rochefort on the 13th inst, in company with a frigate, from which she parted on the following day in a gale of wind.
So tremendous and decisive has been the effect of the fire of the Phoebe in this contest, that I must regret the inability of my pen to do justice to the merits of those who directed it. It has been my duty on a former occasion to report to their Lordships the meritorious conduct of my First Lieutenant, Holland, and the Lieutenants Bedford, and Heywood; Lieutenant Weaver of the Marines; Mr Griffiths the Master; the warrant and petty officers, and the whole of the ship’s company, are entitled to all the commendation in the power of their Commander to bestow.
My satisfaction in relating comparatively the small loss we have sustained, is more easily imagined than described, as it amounts to only one seaman killed, two officers and ten seamen wounded; our damages are chiefly in masts, yards, sails, and rigging, the greatest parts of which are rendered unserviceable.
Killed and wounded on board the Phoebe – Samuel Hayes, seaman, killed; 2 officers, Lieutenant Holland and Mr Griffiths, Master, and 10 seamen wounded.
PS: I have reason to believe Egypt to have been the destination of the force, under the orders of General Desfourneaux and Commodore Saunier. [Hampshire Telegraph, 27 April 1801, ex London Gazette]

Posted by Jon Miller on Tuesday 30th of June 2026 18:37

The St Vincent, Union, Ocean, Royal Sovereign, Caledonia, and Phoebe (the last as a Victualling Depot), are fitting at Plymouth for the residence of the Officers in Ordinary at that port. [Hampshire Telegraph, 8 April 1816]

Posted by Tim Oakley on Saturday 18th of June 2016 23:21

23 Dec 1812 Phoebe36 captured American Hunter14, a privateer schooner after a chase during which she threw 12 of her guns overboard. The prize was sent to Plymouth

Posted by Tim Oakley on Saturday 18th of June 2016 22:52

18 Jan 1812 Phoebe36 arrived at Plymouth Dock with dispatches from the East Indies.