Spanish Fifth Rate frigate 'Medea' (1797)

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Medea
Nominal Guns	40	3DECKS
Nationality	Spain
Operator	Armada Real
Keel Laid Down	27.11.1795	3DECKS
Launched	27.2.1797	3DECKS
First Commissioned	9.3.1797	3DECKS
How acquired	Purpose built	3DECKS
Shipyard	Ferrol - Spain	3DECKS
Ship Class	Flora Class (1795)	3DECKS
Constructor	Julian Martin de RetamosaSpanish Designer Ship Builder Service 1795-1797	3DECKS
Category	Fifth Rate	3DECKS
Ship Type	Frigate	3DECKS
Sailing Rig	Ship Rigged	3DECKS
Captured	5.10.1804	3DECKS
Becomes	British Fifth Rate frigate 'Iphigenia' (1804) (38) 1804-1838 British 38 Gun 5th Rate Frigate 1805 Renamed "Imperieuse"

Dimensions

DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentSWoA
Length of Gundeck162' 0"Spanish Pies45.1332 (148′ 0″ Imperial)
Breadth43' 0"Spanish Pies11.9798 (39′ 3″ Imperial)
Depth in Hold21' 6"Spanish Pies7.5222 (24′ 8″ Imperial)
Burthen630Ton

Armament

27.2.1797Broadside Weight = 318 Spanish libre (343.122 lbs 145.962 kg)SWoA
Gun Deck12 Spanish 3-Pound Obús
Upper Gun Deck28 Spanish 18-Pounder
Quarterdeck10 Spanish 8-Pounder
Forecastle2 Spanish 8-Pounder

1803Broadside Weight = 480 Spanish libre (517.92 lbs 220.32 kg)SWoA
Upper Gun Deck28 Spanish 24-Pounder
Quarterdeck10 Spanish 24-Pound Obús
Forecastle2 Spanish 24-Pound Obús

1 Ship Commander

DatesRankNameSource
1804 - 5.10.1804Capitán de navío3DECKS

1 Flag Officer

DatesRankNameSource
1804 - 5.10.1804Jefe de Escuadra3DECKS

Service History

DateEventSource
16.9.1798Took the Schooner off Cuba
5.10.1804Battle of Cape St Maria
5.10.1804Taken by the British at the Battle of Cape St Maria

Sources

IDNameAuthorType

3DECKSManuel Blasco Felip, Cy Harrison, Web Site

SWoAManuel Blasco Felip, Enrique García-Torralba Pérez, John Tredrea, Rif Winfield, Book

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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"
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