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ATALANTA
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(14) |
Brig-sloop
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Built in 1775, Sheerness DY.
Renamed HELENA in 1801.
Sold in 1802. |
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- 1781 Cdr. Sampson EDWARDS, North America.
On 27 May ATALANTA and TREPASSY (14) Cdr. James SMYTH gave chase to a strange sail in the North Atlantic. They soon ascertained that she was an American frigate and found themselves chased by her in turn. When the wind dropped to a flat calm the brigs turned and swept towards the enemy, ALLIANCE (36) Capt. John BARRY. TREPASSY received a full broadside and although ATALANTA tried to stand between the two ships, TREPASSY was too shattered to escape. Cdr SMYTH was killed and Lieut. Samuel ARDEN of ATALANTA lost an arm. Capt. BARRY was struck by a grape shot. After three and a half hours TREPASSY struck with six killed and 11 wounded. ATALANTA lasted longer but the heavier weight of metal on the American side, 204 lb. against the brigs combined broadside of 60 lb., at last forced her to strike with six killed and 18 wounded. ALLIANCE had six killed and 20 wounded. ATALANTA was recaptured by ASSURANCE, CHARLESTON and AMPHITRITE.
Another version
At noon on the 28th. of May 1781 the ATALANTA sloop of war, and the TREPASSY, a brig sloop of 14 guns, Capt. SMITH, were on a cruise off the Banks of Newfoundland, when they were attacked by the ALLIANCE, an American frigate of 40 guns and 250 men. The sloops made a most determined and resolute defence, but at one o'clock Capt. SMITH was killed, Lieutenant KING, on whom the command devolved, continued the action for a further two hours, but at this time the TREPASSY was a complete wreck, with five men killed and ten wounded, he was obliged to strike. Capt. EDWARDS still maintained the action with great bravery. Lieut. Samuel ARDEN, behaved with unexampled bravery, having lost his right arm in the action, the instant it was dressed, he resumed his station on deck and continued to animate the men to fight gallantly. For this conduct Mr ARDEN was promoted to master and commander and soon after to post captain. - 1782 Capt. P. BRETT, North America.
- 1784 T. FOLEY, North America.
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