French privateer Bellone (1745)

History
France
Name: Bellone
Namesake: Bellona (goddess)
Builder: Nantes
Laid down: 1744
Launched: January 1745
Fate: Captured in 1747
History
Great Britain
Name: HMS Bellona
Acquired: 1747
Commissioned: 1747
Fate: Sold in 1749
General characteristics
Propulsion: Sail
Sail plan: ship-rigged

Bellone, was a French privateer. Bellone was involved in a naval battle in Loch nan Uamh during the Jacobite rising. She was captured in 1747. She taken into Royal Navy service as HMS Bellona and was sold in 1749.

French service

Following the Jacobite defeat at the Battle of Culloden on 16 April 1746, Bellone and Mars anchored at Loch nan Uamh on 30 April 1746.[1]

Upon the approach of the Royal Navy vessels HMS Greyhound, HMS Baltimore and HMS Terror, Captain Lorry of the Bellone set sail, however Captain Rouillee of the Mars decided to stay at anchor.[1] After Greyhound attacked Mars, Bellone engaged Greyhound and Bellone suffered a broken mast after a broadside.[1] The Greyhound attempted to board the Bellone', however after firing two broadsides into Greyhound. Bellone then disabled Terror with a volley.[1] Bellone led Mars out to a bay at the head of Loch nan Uamh, where Mars started her repairs, and Bellone engaged the British ships.[1] Baltimore, Greyhound and Terror tried to board the French ships, but were again repelled. Baltimore's captain sustaining a head wound, the ships had her rigging shattered and lost an anchor and two of her masts.[1] The damaged Baltimore then headed for The Minch to get help while the Bellone again engaged Greyhound causing damage to her main mast and set fire to her hand grenades.[1]

Bellone was later captured on 2 February 1747 by three Royal Navy ships - HMS Nottingham, Eagle and Edinburgh [2]

English service

Bellona was commissioned in May 1747, under the command of Captain Samuel Barrington. She was sold in 1749 at Deptford for £611.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 McKerracher, Mairead. (2012). Jacobite Dictionary. (no page numbers). Neil Wilson Publishing.
  2. ↑ Winfield, Rif (2007). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714-1792: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. p. 224. ISBN 9781783469253.

Further reading

  • Duffy, Christopher (2017). The '45: Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Untold Story of the Jacobite Rising. Phoenix. ISBN 9780753822623.
  • Winfield, Rif (2007). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714–1792: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84415-700-6.
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