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PHILOMEL
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Built in 1806, Bridport (Cruizer class).
Sold in 1807. |
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- 1807 George CRAWLEY, 11/1806, fitting out at Plymouth.
- 1808 Ditto, Mediterranean.
On 11 June 1809 a squadron sailed from Melazzo in Sicily to capture the islands of Ischias and Procida and at the same time PHILOMEL was detached to escort four transports with two regiments to be landed on the coast of Calabria. - On 23 September 1809 she sailed from Messina with WARRIOR to escort transports with 1600 troops under Brigadier General OSWALD to seize the Ionian islands.
When they arrived off Cephalonia on the 28th. they were joined by SPARTAN which had sailed from Malta with Mr Foresti, the British minister, and a Count Cladan, who was a Cephalonian who had taken refuge in Malta.
The French garrisons on Zante, Cephalonia and Cerigo surrendered with little resistance. - On 8 October PHILOMEL anchored off Ithaca and started to work her way into the harbour.
When Capt. CRAWLEY saw that the battery could not be attacked by the sloop's guns he landed a detachment of troops and PHILOMEL's marines under Capt. CHURCH, together with a party of seamen.
They climbed above the battery and were about to storm it when the garrison surrendered.
It consisted of two guns only with 70 or 80 men reduced by the Albanians amongst them deserting.
In less than an hour after PHILOMEL anchored they were in full possession of the island and Mr Foresti established a provisional government that was greeted with pleasure by the inhabitants.
Three officers and 23 men from the Italian 2nd regiment and 76 Albanians were taken prisoner and two 6-pounders and eleven unmounted guns were captured. - At the end of October the French tried to run a convoy, escorted by ships of the line and frigates, from Toulon to supply their forces along the Spanish coast.
When it was chased by a British squadron on 23rd. the transports were separated from the ships of war and took shelter in Rosas.
The following day TIGRE, CUMBERLAND, VOLONTAIRE, APOLLO, TOPAZE, PHILOMEL SCOUT AND TUSCAN were appointed, under the orders of Capt. HALLOWELL, to bring them out.
The ships of the squadron anchored about five miles out on 30 October and detached their boats while the three sloops sailed as close in as the light winds would permit.
Eleven French vessels were captured or destroyed.
PHILOMEL had no casualties. - 1810 Spelman SWAINE.
conveying officers to Oporto and dispatches to the Mediterranean. - 1810 Gardener Henry GUION, 17/06/1810, Mediterranean.
Early in August 1810 three French storeships were chased into Porquerolle, one of Iles d'Hyeres some 15 miles east of Toulon, and watched by PHILOMEL.
They attempted to break out at dawn on the 26th. and one succeeded in getting to Toulon with the help of a French squadron but the others were forced to return to their shelter.
On the 31st.
they tried again and PHILOMEL exchanged some shots with them as they rounded Point Escampebarion.
A few minutes later REPULSE, 74, which was lying outside the brig exchanged fire with French frigates which had come to help the escape and, covered by them, the two storeships reached Toulon.
The French squadron then tried to capture PHILOMEL and two frigates opened fire on her as she turned to run.
REPULSE immediately bore up to keep astern of her and drove the two frigates back. - 1811 Augustus William CLIFFORD, 02/1811, to CEPHALUS.
- 1812 Charles SHAW, Mediterranean.
On 24 August 1812 he ran a French polacre privateer ashore near Valencia. She was burnt by her crew as they abandoned her. - 1815 I. H. PLUMRIDGE, Channel.
- 1816 Ditto, Cape of Good Hope.
- 1817 Chatham.
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