HMS ''Berbice'' was the French privateer ''Berbice'' that the British

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...

captured in 1793 and took into service under her existing name. She ran aground three years later.

Career

''Berbice'' was a French privateer schooner of eight guns that the Royal Navy captured early in 1793. The Navy commissioned her for the Leeward Islands station in October 1793 under Lieutenant Thomas Oliver. However, she was already serving the Royal Navy in April 1793. ''Berbice'', under Oliver's command, captured the French merchant sloops ''St Phillipe'' and ''Utile''. There is some ambiguity about which officers commanded her and when. At one point Midshipman John Ferris Devonshire (eventually Admiral Sir John Devonshire), took command on the death of ''Berbice''s commander. Devonshire then patrolled the coasts of Puerto Rico where he, with the Spaniards, suppressed the French privateers that not only impeded the island's commerce, but also materially obstructed the resupply of the British army in Martinique. During a slave uprising at

Saint Lucia Saint Lucia ( acf, Sent Lisi, french: Sainte-Lucie) is an island country of the West Indies in the eastern Caribbean. The island was previously called Iouanalao and later Hewanorra, names given by the native Arawaks and Caribs, two Amerindian ...

, Devonshire successfully conveyed Lieutenant-General

William Myers William, Wil, Bill, or Billy Myers may refer to: Sports *Bill Myers (baseball) (1886–?), American baseball player *Billy Myers (1910–1995), shortstop in Major League Baseball * William James Myers (1937–2017), American wrestler better known a ...

to the island during the hurricane season. Apparently, Lieutenant

John Richards Lapenotiere John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

commanded her too, though Oliver paid her off later. Lieutenant John Pasco (or Pascoe) recommissioned her in December 1795, again for the Leeward Islands. ''Berbice'' was one of the many vessels that shared in the proceeds of the surrender of the island of

on 25 May 1796 by the British forces under the command of Admiral

Hugh Cloberry Christian Sir Hugh Cloberry Christian KB (1747 – 23 November 1798) was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the American War of Independence, and the French Revolutionary Wars. Details of his early life are obscure, but he appears to ha ...

and Lieutenant-General

Sir Ralph Abercromby Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Abercromby (7 October 173428 March 1801) was a British soldier and politician. He rose to the rank of lieutenant-general in the British Army, was appointed Governor of Trinidad, served as Commander-in-Chief, Ire ...

Loss

''Berbice'' was under the command of Lieutenant John Trehaser (or Tresaher) when she wrecked on Scotsman's Head (), Dominica, on 26 October 1796. She had been cruising in company with when they separated in the dark and rain. ''Berbice'' continued on ''Lacedemonian''s last known course and proceeded to wreck. There were 42 men aboard ''Berbice''; none were lost.

Citations

References

* * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Berbice (1793) 1790s ships Privateer ships of France Captured ships Schooners of the Royal Navy Maritime incidents in 1796