HMS Argus (1799)

HMS ''Argus'' was launched in 1798 at Bordeaux as ''Argus''. She became a privateer that the British Royal Navy (RN) captured in 1799. She served from April 1803 until she was broken up in April 1811.

Privateer and capture

''Argus'' was a 300-ton (French; "of load") brig or corvette commissioned in Bordeaux in 1798, probably built that same year for Paul Mairac & Sons.

On 10 December 1798, the French privateer ''Argus'' brought too ''Mary'', Darby, master, from London to St Vincent's. However the wind was blowing too hard and ''Argus'' was unable to board ''Mary''.

On 31 March 1799 at , recaptured the West Indiaman ''Minerva'' of Liverpool, that ''Argus'' had captured some 16 days earlier.

On 3 April 1799, HMS ''Pomone'' met and captured ''Argus'' after a pursuit of 108 miles that hit 12 knots. ''Argus'' was only six months old and was pierced for 22 guns, though she carried 18 brass 9-pounders. Prior to her own capture, ''Argus'' had captured ''Minerva'' and two brigs from Teignmouth whose masters and crews were aboard her. ''Argus'' had a crew of 90 men.

''Pomone'' also recaptured, on 9 April, an American schooner that the French privateer had taken on 1 April. The schooner had been on her way from Caracas to Corunna with a cargo of cocoa and indigo.

Royal Navy

''Argus'' arrived at Plymouth on 4 May 1799 and was laid up. After the resumption of war with France, she underwent fitting between March and July 1803.

Commander Edward King commissioned ''Argus'' in June 1803 for the Irish station. She spent her career primarily convoying vessels between Ireland and English ports such as Plymouth and Portsmouth.

On 15 April 1804, she convoyed a number of vessels from Cork to Falmouth. ''Argus'' detained ''Sally'', Swazy, master, which had been sailing from Boston to Amsterdam, and sent her into Plymouth.

Commander Edward Kittoe replaced King in May 1804. In October ''Argus'' detained and sent into Plymouth ''Nuestra Senora del Carmen''. She had been sailing from Cadiz and she arrived in Plymouth on 29 October.

On 16 February 1805, ''Argus'' came across ''Susan'', of Appledore, Pitts, master, about 12 leagues () south of Cork. There was no one aboard so ''Argus'' towed ''Susan'' towards Cork. Near the Harbour Rock ''Susan'' sank.

Kittoe left in 1806, and Commander James Stuart assumed command in October.

HMS ''Niobe'', Captain J. W. Loring, and ''Argus'', Commander James Stuart, captured the Danish ship ''King of Assianthe'' ( Ashanti) on 31 August 1807.

On 20 September, ''Argus'' detained ''Fortuna'' and on 23 September recaptured ''Providence''. ''Fortuna'', of and from Dram, had been sailing for Clonalky. ''Argus'' also detained at Cork ''Kimro'' (of Arundahl), Uberant, master, which had been sailing from Youghal to Lisbon. A Spanish privateer of 11 guns and 120 men had captured ''Providence'' as ''Providence'' was sailing from Galway.

In early 1810, ''Argus'' ran down and sank ''Union'', Papler, master at Waterford; the crew was rescued. ''Union'' had been sailing from Poole to Waterford.

In April 1810, Commander Joseph Bott replaced Stuart.

Fate

The Navy Board visited the dockyards and prepared a list of vessels that it condemned to be broken up and sold The "Principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy" offered the sloop ''Argus'' for sale on 18 October 1810. She apparently did not sell, and instead was broken up at Plymouth in April 1811.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Argus (1799)
1798 ships
Ships built in France
Privateer ships of France
Captured ships
Sloops of the Royal Navy