British Privateer 'Spitfire' (1779)

Three Decks' Forum

Come and ask, answer or inform.

Recent updates

Added
Sea-flower (4) 1714-1718
British 4 Gun
Merchant Sloop
Added
Charles BainsBritish
Ship Owner
Merchant Sailor
Service 1714-1718
Added
John ScottBritish
Merchant Sailor
Service 1798
Update
La Vengeance (20) 1797-1800
French 20 Gun
Privateer Unknown
Update
Zephyr (8) 1790-1798
British 8 Gun
Merchant East Indiaman
Update
Woodcot (Unknown) 1786-1798
British Unknown Gun
Merchant East Indiaman
Update
Raymond (Unknown) 1782-1798
British Unknown Gun
Merchant East Indiaman (EIC Regular Ship)
Update
Cassandra (26) 1720-1723
Pirate 26 Gun
6th Rate Ship
Update
Cassandra (26) 1719-1720
British 26 Gun
Merchant East Indiaman
Added
Richard LazenbyBritish
Naval Sailor
Pirate
Service 1719-1723
See more...

Recent Comments

Britannia (100) 1762-1825
British 100 Gun
1st Rate Ship of the Line
1812 Renamed "Princess Royal"
1812 Renamed "Saint George"
1819 Renamed "Barfleur"
(1762)
Devastation (6) 1841-1866
British 6 Gun
Unrated Steam Sloop
(1841)
Zephyr (8) 1790-1798
British 8 Gun
Merchant East Indiaman
(1790)
Pembroke (60) 1733-1749
British 60 Gun
4th Rate Ship of the Line
(1733)
Mercury (20) 1745-1753
British 20 Gun
6th Rate Ship
(1745)
Seahorse (24) 1748-1784
British 24 Gun
6th Rate Frigate
(1748)
Charles PowlettBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1728-1749
Namur (74) 1746-1749
British 74 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
(1746)
Namur (74) 1746-1749
British 74 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
(1746)
Shark (8) 1732-1755
British 8 Gun
Unrated Sloop
(1732)
See more...

Spitfire
Nominal Guns	16	HLP
Nationality	Great Britain
Operator	Private Owners
Acquired	1779	HLP
Home Port	Liverpool - Lancashire	HLP
Shipyard	Unknown	HLP
Category	Privateer	HLP
Ship Type	Unknown	HLP
Captured	19.4.1779	HLP

1 Ship Commander

DatesRankNameSource
1779 - 5.1779MasterHLP

Service History

DateEventSource
19.4.1779Taken by a French frigateHLP

Notes on Ship

Letter from Captain Bell, dated L'Orient, May 2nd, 1779HLP
I am sorry to acquaint you with my misfortune. On the 19th of April, in lat. 46. 20. long-. 5. 10. we met with the La frigate, of 32 guns, 26 twelves and 6 six-pounders, removable to either side, which made 19 guns on the side they engaged, and three brass swivels of one pound each, with 246 men. We began to engage about fifty or sixty yards distance, and from that to thirty. The fire was brisk on both sides and well kept up for one hour and fifteen minutes, having then only two guns on the starboard side, and five on the larboard fit for action. We were at last obliged to strike our colours, or rather the Union thereof, as the other part was shot away. In all our sails, from the royals downwards, there was scarce one piece left the size of a sheet. Our standing and running rigging cut entirely to pieces; two ports made into one, and the ship's side like a rabbit warren. You may rest assured I have discharged the duty of a man, both in courage and conduct. Four killed and six wounded.

Sources

IDNameAuthorType

HLPGomer Williams, Digital Book

Previous comments on this page

Posted by regis on Sunday 24th of January 2016 16:13

first privateer ship with carronades ??

Make a comment about this page

Recent comments to other pages

Date posted	By	Page
Monday 8th of June 2026 17:20	F.F.	British First Rate ship of the line 'Britannia' (1762) (100) 1762-1825 British 100 Gun 1st Rate Ship of the Line 1812 Renamed "Princess Royal" 1812 Renamed "Saint George" 1819 Renamed "Barfleur"
Thursday 4th of June 2026 20:01	James Daschuk	British steam sloop 'Devastation' (1841) (6) 1841-1866 British 6 Gun Unrated Steam Sloop
Thursday 4th of June 2026 14:56	AvM	British Merchant east indiaman 'Zephyr' (1790) (8) 1790-1798 British 8 Gun Merchant East Indiaman
Wednesday 3rd of June 2026 19:37	Jon Miller	British Fourth Rate ship of the line 'Pembroke' (1733) (60) 1733-1749 British 60 Gun 4th Rate Ship of the Line
Wednesday 3rd of June 2026 19:33	Jon Miller	British Sixth Rate ship 'Mercury' (1745) (20) 1745-1753 British 20 Gun 6th Rate Ship

GDPR Statement