Spanish warships captured by the British in 1806

See also my notes dealing with the Spanish privateers captured by the British in the year 1806 published on this weblog.

El Carmen, packet, captured after a chase of 12 hours 25 January according to a letter dated 4 February 1806, written by Adam Mackenzie, commanding the Magicienne. The El Carmen was commanded by an officer of a rank comparable with a British commander. Despite being pierced for 14 guns just armed with 2 guns and a crew of 18 men.

Vigilante, brig of war 'belonging to His Catholic Majesty', captured according to a letter dated 5 April, written by Tho. Livingstone, commanding the Renommée. The Vigilante left, accompanied by other Spanish ships, Cartagena and was find by the Renommée in 4 a.m. in the morning of the 4th off Fort Callertus, where also two gunboats were lying, and was captured. She was commanded by teniento de navio don Joseph Julius, armed with 12 long 12 pdr, 6-24pdr, with 109 men and found suitable for British naval service. While the mainmast overboard and the foremast almost, she was towed by the Renommée towards Europa Point West North West one mile.

Argonauta, national schooner 'belonging to His Catholic Majesty', captured in the morning of the 28th after a chase of 250 miles Latitude 34° 9' North and Longitude 9° 29' West according to a letter dated 28 April written by G. Mundy, commanding the Hydra. She was commanded by Lieutenant don Josef de Mendivil on a voyage with despatches bound for Buenos Aires. Mundy described her as 'a remarkable fine vessel of her kind, having originally ten sixpounders and two eights, all of which, however, were taken out previous to her proceedings across the Atlantic' bound towards Buenos Aires. When captured she was armed with 4-6pdr on stocks and with a crew of 20 men. While coppered and well equipped considered by Mundy as perfectly suitable for British naval service.

St. Christo Vil Pano, schooner built vessel and guard costa, 'belonging to His Catholic Majesty', captured 29 February off Truxillo Bay [island Boneccé] according to a letter dated 6 March, written by J. Waller commanding the Serpent. She came from Havannah, was commanded by don Juan Christovel Tierro, armed with 1 long traversing 18pdr, 2-4pdr, 5 brass 3-pdr and small arms and with a crew of 40 men. Her commanding officer escaped with 25 men while jumping over board and swimming to the shore

Peculo, also called No. 4, gunboat, 'belonging to His Catholic Majesty', captured 1 April 1806 off Cape de Gatt according to a letter dated 12 April 1806, written by Piettro Marincouichi, commanding the privateer Envy. She was commanded by don Antonio Garcea Novarro, armed with 1-18pdr and 4 brass 4-pdr. Her commander, master and 3 men were killed in the fight.

El Virgin del Carmen, schooner, 'belonging to His Catholic Majesty', captured 2 May 1806 according to a letter dated 2 may 1806, written by J. Hillyar commanding the Niger. She was on a voyage from Algerzitas towards la Guira with despatches which were thrown overboard. Commanded by Lieutenant Luis Navararetta, despite being pierced for 12 guns just armed with 4 swivels and small arms, coppered and a crew of 21 men.

Giganta, schooner, 'belonging to His Catholic Majesty', boarded, carried and taken out of Vieja by boats of the Renommée and Nautilus in the morning 1 a.m. of 4 May 1806, according to a letter dated 4 May, written by Thomas Livingstone commanding the Renommée. She was armed with 2-24pdr in the bow and 4-4pdr, swivels, commanding officer alfiere de navis don Juan de Moire and a crew of 38 men. In the opinion of Linvingstone suitable for British naval service, especially at Gibraltar.

Pomona, frigate, 'belonging to His Catholic Majesty', captured in the morning of 23 August 1806 off Havanna, Cuba according to a letter dated 23 August, written by Charles Brisbane, commanding the Arethusa. She was armed with 38 guns and a crew of 347 men. In the same attack were 12 gunboats, each armed with 1-24 pdr and a crew of 100 men destroyed. Of the Pomona were the Captain and 20 men killed, 2 Lieutenants and 80 men wounded. She was on a voyage from Vera Cruz towards Havanna with a cargo of specie belonging to the crown and merchandise property of merchants.

Sources

The Naval Chronicle vol 15, January-June 1806, p. 347, 436-439.

The Naval Chronicle vol 16, July-December 1806, p. 76-77, 82, 503-504.