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SHEERNESS (24) 6th rate Built in 1743, Rotherhithe.
Sold in 1768.

  • 1745 Capt. William BULLY, appointed 12 July. The Gazette reported that on 25th. November he brought into Deal a French privateer called the Soleil, which he had taken off the Dogger Bank on the 22nd. The Soleil had sailed from Dunkirk on the 21st. with two transports in company, and was bound for Montrose in Scotland, she had on board Mr Ratcliff, who styled himself Earl of Derwentwater, with 20 officers, Irish, Scots and French, and 60 private soldiers.
  • On Nov. 2nd the Gazette reported that the crew of the vessel, which was formerly called the Soleil, but now the Esperance, had been sent to Dover castle and the other prisoners distributed in the several men of war in Adm. Vernon's squadron.
  • The prisoners were taken on board the NORWICH, Adm. Vernon's flagship in the Downs, and letters from there immediately began to spread rumours; it was said that there was on board the Soleil a million livres, and that among the prisoners were the Duke of Richmond, Lord Drummond and the pretender's youngest son who went by the name of Manley and was being passed off as the son of Mr Ratcliff.
  • "Our suspicion is further confirmed by the young gentleman keeping his left hand cover'd to hide his two middle fingers, which grow together, by his throwing his laced hat and coat into the sea, and putting on a leather cap and jacket; by the preference Mr Ratcliff gives him on all occasions, and by the affirmation of a person who knew him at Rome."
  • Charles Ratcliff was beheaded for high treason on Tower Hill on Monday the 8th. December 1746.
  • 1758 Capt. John CLARKE, appointed 19th. January. Mediterranean. In November 1762 SHEERNESS took refuge in the harbour at Villa Franca, after running seven days from Gibraltar. She had been chased near the coast by three French men of war, the CONTENT (64), and two frigates, PLEIADE and MINERVE which anchored soon after SHEERNESS arrived. MINERVE attempted to pass between her and the land and struck on a rock and was soon dashed to pieces. The sea ran so high that that boats could not be launched from the shore to the aid of the men on the wreck, so Capt. CLARKE sent his people to their relief and brought off all except some 25 who were washed away by the violence of the sea. The French commodore went on board SHEERNESS to thank Capt. CLARKE for his generous assistance.


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