HMS Centinel (1804)
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| History | |
|---|---|
 Great Britain | |
| Name | Friendship |
| Launched | 1800, Yarmouth |
| Fate | Sold 1804 |
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Centinel, or HMS Sentinel |
| Acquired | June 1804, by purchase |
| Fate | Wrecked 10 October 1812 |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Tons burthen |
|
| Length |
|
| Beam | 24 ft 0 in (7.3 m) |
| Depth of hold | 14 ft 5+1⁄2 in (4.4 m) |
| Sail plan | Brig |
| Complement | 45 (Royal Navy) |
| Armament |
|
HMS Centinel, or HMS Sentinel, was launched as the mercantile Friendship in 1800. The Royal Navy purchased her in 1804. She then served in the North Sea until she wrecked in October 1812.
Friendship first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR), in 1800.[2]
| Year | Master | Owner | Trade | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | W.Mason John Hare |
J.Boulter | Yarmouth London–Bremen |
LR |
| 1802 | J.Hare G.Addison |
J.Boulter | London–Cork London–Baltic |
LR |
HMS Centinel
The Admiralty purchased Friendship in June 1804. She then underwent fitting by Hill, on the Thames, between June and 7 July, and at Deptford until 1 November.[1]
Lieutenant Robert Miln commissioned Centinel in August 1804 for the North Sea.[1]
Lieutenant William Elletson King commanded Centinel from 1806 to her loss in 1812.[1] (In 1807 Lieutenant William Chester assumed temporary command.[1])
Lloyd's List reported in April 1806 that Centinel had sent into Harwich Union, Vrucat, master, from Harlingen.[3]
In June 1809 Lord George Stuart gave Commander William Goate, captain of HMS Musquito, command of a small force consisting of Musquito, the two Cherokee-class brig-sloops Briseis and Ephira, and five gun-brigs, including Basilisk, Centinel, Patriot, and Alert. On 7 July they entered the Elbe. The landing party captured a battery at Cuxhaven after its garrison had retreated. The British then loaded the battery's six 24-pounders into vessels lying in the harbour, together with all the shot and military stores they could find and some other small guns. Next, they blew up the fort and seized two French gunboats, each of two guns. Lastly, the landing party handed the town of Cuxhaven back to the civil governor before returning to its vessels.[4] Later, the vessels in the squadron shared in the prize money.[5]
At some point between 30 July and 18 August 1809, Centinel participated in the unsuccessful and ill-fated Walcheren Campaign.[6]
On 2 May 1810 HMS Richmond sailed from The Nore as escort to a fleet for Heligoland. She ran aground on the Gunfleet Sands. Centinel came from the Nore on 4 May to take charge of the convoy.[7]