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MONMOUTH
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(64) |
3rd rate
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Built in 1742, Deptford.
Broken up in 1767. |
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- 1742 Capt. Charles WINDHAM. In May 1743 in conjunction with Capt. COCKBURN in the MEDWAY, and a 20-gun frigate, attacked the town of Santa Cruz, the chief town on the island of Gomera in the Canaries. The enemy suffered considerable damage, but it was found impracticable to land any men so the ships stood out to sea and continued their cruise. On 11th. May he reported the capture in Lat.46.10 and Long. 2.25 West from the Lizard, he had taken a Spanish privateer of 18 carriage guns and 116 men, many of them, including the captain, French.
- 1744 On Tuesday 2nd February 1744, a Court of Admiralty at Doctor's Commons, Judge Sir Henry Penrice, condemned the St. Michael, Privateer, taken by the MONMOUTH, as a lawful prize and the money was ordered to be paid to the captors on the 14th.
- 1749 Capt. Charles CATFORD.
- 1751 Capt. George EDGCUMBE. He was sent out to Gibraltar as senior officer in a small squadron of three ships to bring home Wolfe's and Skelton's regiments, which had long been stationed there. He arrived back at Spithead on 2nd April after a passage of 22 days.
- 1755 Capt. HARRISON has sent into Weymouth a French Greenland ship bound to Bayonne.
- 1757 Capt. Arthur GARDINER, Mediterranean with Vice Ad. OSBORNE. He had been flag captain to Admiral BYNG in RAMILLIES and the evidence he had been compelled to give against him at the trial preyed on his mind, leaving him with a melancholy which he never lost.
- 1758 Capt. Arthur GARDINER, Mediterranean, with Ad. Henry OSBORN's fleet.
On the last day of February 1758 Capt. GARDINER was ordered with the SWIFTSURE and the HAMPTON COURT, to pursue the French LE FOUDROYANT, with the marquis du Quesne on board, which had sailed from Toulon to reinforce de la Clue at Carthagena. The MONMOUTH far outstripped her companions and brought the enemy ship to action, soon disabling LE FOUDROYANT's rigging, Capt. GARDINER receiving a musket shot through the arm early on. The action was maintained for nearly two hours when, at about nine o'clock, Capt. GARDINER was hit by a musket shot in the forehead. He sent for Mr CARKET, the first lieutenant, and requested that he would not give up the ship or quit the enemy. He lived until next day but was insensible for the greater part of the time. The FOUDROYANT, having lost her main and mizzen masts surrendered about one o'clock in the morning when the SWIFTSURE came up. Capt. STANHOPE enquired whether she had struck. He was answered by a few shots and small arms fire so fired a broadside into her and the enemy surrendered with 100 killed and 90 wounded. MONMOUTH lost 28 killed and 79 wounded.
The difference in size and armament was considerable, MONMOUTH had 470 men and carried 12 and 24 pounders, whereas LE FOUDROYANT had 911 men and carried thirty 42 pounders, thirty-two 24 pounders and eighteen 12 pounders. Capt. GARDINER was reported to have told his people before the action "This ship must be taken, she appears above our match, but Englishmen are not to mimd that, nor will I quit her while this ship can swim, or I have a soul left alive."
Mr Osborne appointed Lieut. CARKET to command the prize. - The French ROSE (36) was driven ashore on Malta and burnt 1759 Capt. Augustus John HERVEY, blockading Brest. MONMOUTH, with a small squadron, was close inshore.
- 1761 Capt. John STORR, with Commodore Augustus KEPPEL and the expedition against Belle Isle, March - June.
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