Spanish privateers captured by the British in 1808

The spelling of the names is English so may not exactly correspond with the original Spanish spelling.

Antelope, armed with 5 guns and 62 men, captured by the Melager (36 guns), commanded by J. Broughton, at the Jamaica station 19 February 1808. According to a letter dated 19 February 1806, written by J. Broughton, commanding the Melaager, she was a schooner letter of marque. Pierced for 14 guns, in fact armed with 1 long 18pdr amidships, 4-6pdr (which were thrown over board in the chase), a crew of 62 men, on voyage from Cadiz towards Vera Cruz, coming from St, Jago which port she departed in the evening of 18 February with a cargo of brandy, wine and dry goods. Described by Broughton as a very fine vessel,

Santissima Trinidad, armed with 4 guns and 20 men, captured by the sloop Tweed (18 guns), commanded by T.E. Symonds, at the Jamaica station 29 February 1808. According to a letter dated 6 March 1808, written by T.E. Symonds, commanding the Tweed captured in the morning of 29 February as a schooner letter of marque, on a voyage from Puerto Cavalho towards Cadiz, despite being pierced for 14 guns, just armed with 4 guns and a crew of 20 men.

Santo Christo, armed with one gun and 15 men, captured by the Morne Fortunée (12 guns), commanded by T.J. Rorie, at the Jamaica station 10 March 1807. According to a letter dated 16 March 1808, written by J.J. Rorie after a case of 24 hours captured off the South side of the Pedro Shoals, described as a felucca letter of marque, armed with a long 12 pdr and a crew of 15 men, on a voyage from Cuba towards Porto Bello.

Nuestra Senora de los Dolores,captain Don Vincento Pica, armed with 2 guns, a crew of 23 men, captured 29 February 1806 by the Diamand, commanded by captain Argles, with a cargo of flour etc and 1900 hundred dollars in specie, while on voyage from Vera Cruz, Mexico towards Havana, Cuba; according to a report of the Admiralty

La Braganza, armed with one gun and 54 men, captured by the sloop Wolf, commanded by Lieutenant Edmund Waller, at the Jamaica station 1 May 1808. According to a letter dated 1 May 1808, written by Edmund Waller, commanding the Wolf, captured as schooner, captain Jospeh Caufanio, armed with 1 guns and a crew of 54 men, left Carthagena 22 days earlier and taken just one prize, the brig Anne which was retaken after a chase of 4 hours.

Le Grand Napoleon, armed with 4 guns and 38 men, captured by the sloop Pylades (18 guns), commanded by G.M. Bligh, at the Mediterranean station 2 May 1808.

Sources

The Naval Gazetteer, published by J.W. Norris&Co., 1827, p. 530. Digitalized version.

The Naval Chonicle, vol. XIX, January-June 1808, p. 346, 429-430, 510. Digitalized version.

The Naval Chonicle, vol. XX, July-December 1808, p. 69. Digitalized version.