HMS Zenobia (1807)

HMS ''Zenobia'' was an 18-gun ''Cruizer'' class brig-sloop launched 7 October 1807 by Brindley at King's Lynn. Although she served during the Napoleonic Wars she is known for her role in two events, the claiming of Ascension Island for Great Britain in 1815, and the naming of the Saumarez Reefs in 1823. She was broken up in 1835.

Napoleonic Wars and War of 1812

Commander Alexander K. Mackenzie commissioned her and remained her captain until July 1812. During that time she was in the North Sea and visited Portugal at least twice.

''Zenobia'' was one of the Royal Navy vessels involved in the ill-fated Walcheren Campaign, which started on 30 July 1809. In August she was part of the light squadron under Sir Edward Owen and participated in the bombardment of Flushing. British forces withdrew in December. On 26 November ''Zenobia'' captured the Danish Ship ''Twee Gebroeders''.

In early January 1810 ''Zenobia'' sent ''Emanuel'', Findrup, master, of Christiana, into Yarmouth. ''Zenobia'' also ran down ''Drie Grebroders'', Oomackes, master, off Yarmouth. She had been coming from Riga and was totally lost.''Lloyd's List'
(''LL'') No. 4420.
/ref>

On 18 September 1810 she joined in the chase and capture of ''Alexander'', a French ketch privateer of 16 guns (but only four mounted). ''Alexander'' was on her first cruise out of Saint-Malo and had captured the schooner ''Peggy''. On 24 October ''Zenobia'' sailed for Portugal.

''Zenobia'' sailed for Portugal on 24 January 1812,
and in July Commander Richard Foley assumed command. The next month ''Zenobia'' captured the American ships ''Cordelia'', Salter, master (14 August), ''Catherine'', Allen, master, (17 August) and ''America'', Hilbert, master (24 August). ''Cordelia'', of St. Ubes, arrived in Lisbon on 19 August. ''Catherine'', of St Michaels, arrived there on 23 August. ''America'' had been sailing from Baltimore to Lisbon and arrived at Plymouth on 8 September. ''Cordelia'' reached Plymouth on 19 September. ''Catherine'' arrived at Plymouth on 2 October. The ''London Gazette'' report of a grant of two-thirds of the value of the detained vessels states that the detainment took place prior to hostilities.

In December, ''Zenobia'' detained and sent into Gibraltar ''George and Albert'', Dashiel, master. ''George and Albert'' had been sailing from Baltimore to Gibraltar.

In late January or early February 1813, ''Zenobia'' captured ''Little James'', which was sailing from Lisbon to America. However, the American privateer ''Paul Jones'', of 16 guns and 120 men, recaptured ''Little James''. She was only one of a number of vessels that ''Paul Jones'' captured at around this time. However, the gun-brig recaptured ''James'' (aka ''Little James''), May, master, and sent her into Gibraltar in February.

On 25 June 1813 ''Zenobia'' captured the American ship ''Hindostan''. The initial payment of prize money amounted to £5000. Two days later ''Zenobia'' captured ''Isabella''. ''Isabella'', Shepheard, master, had been sailing from New Orleans to Cadiz.

At about the same time ''Zenobia'' detained ''Hepsa'', Bailey, master, which had been sailing from New York to Lisbon, and ''Isabella'', Shepheard, master, which had been sailing from New Orleans to Cadiz.

On 3 January 1814 ''Zenobia'' captured ''Wellington''.

On 7 June Foley received promotion to post-captain, and Commander Nicholas Charles Dobree assumed command.

Under Dobree, ''Zenobia'' recaptured ''William & Alfred'' on 5 January 1815 and ''Diana'' on 3 March. The American privateer ''Harpy'' had captured ''William & Alfred'' off Cape Finisterre three days before as she was sailing from London to Antigua. ''Zenobia'' sent her into Lisbon on 10 January, minus part of the cargo, which ''Harpy'' had taken. The privateer ''James Munro'' had captured ''Diana'', of Greenock, Ferguson, master. ''Diana'' had been sailing from Alicante to Londonderry when ''James Munro'' captured her. After ''Zenobia'' had recaptured ''Diana'', ''Zenobia'' took ''Diana'' into Lisbon.

Ascension Island

''Zenobia'', under Commander Nicholas Charles Dobree, together with her sister ship ''Peruvian'', under Captain James Kearney White, had been part of the flotilla under Rear Admiral George Cockburn that had taken Napoleon into his final exile at St Helena. Cockburn was concerned that the French might use Ascension Island, uninhabited at the time, to stage a rescue mission. He therefore decided to claim and garrison the island. On 22 October 1815, at 5pm, ''Zenobia'' and ''Peruvian'' anchored in Clarence Bay. The ships' logs record that at 5.30pm, Dobree and White came ashore, raised the Jack, and took possession of the island in the name of His Britannic Majesty, King George III. ''Zenobia'' left shortly thereafter, while ''Peruvian'' stayed until Spring. On 8 April 1816 ''Zenobia'' arrived in Plymouth and was laid up.

Napoleon died on St Helena in 1821 and the Admiralty wanted to withdraw the garrison. However, Sir George Collier, Commodore of the West Africa Squadron, persuaded the Admiralty to retain it as it had become a victualing station for the vessels of the squadron, which was engaged in anti-slavery patrols. It also provided a sanatorium for the squadron's ships and crew. The Admiralty later designated Ascension Island "HMS ''Ascension''", a "Stone sloop of War of the smaller class".

Fate

On 6 August 1835 the Navy Office offered ''Zenobia'' for sale by Dutch auction for £1600 but had to take her in at £890.''Nautical magazine and journal of the Royal Naval Reserve'', Volume 3, p.64. Later that month a Mr. Tibbett bought her for £650 for breaking up.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Zenobia (1807)
1807 ships
Cruizer-class brig-sloops