America

Posted by Jon Miller on Sunday 12th of July 2026 20:48

At a Court-Martial, assembled and held on board His Majesty’s ship Carnatic, in Port Royal Harbour, Jamaica, on Saturday, the 27th day of December, 1800: Present, John Ferrier, Esq, Captain of His Majesty’s ship York, and second Senior Captain of His Majesty’s Ships and Vessels, in Port Royal Harbour, Jamaica, President.
Captains H W Bayntum, Rob Plampin, Isaac Wolley, Charles Grant, C V Penrose, Jos Lakcom, Robert Philpot. O H Galway Esq, Deputy Judge Advocate.
The Court was duly sworn, pursuant to an order from the Right Hon Lord Hugh Seymour, Vice Admiral of the Blue, and Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s Ships, &c, stationed at Jamaica and the Bahama Islands, &c, dated the 25th of December, 1800, and directed to John Ferrier, Esq.
The Court then proceeded to try Captain John Bingham, his Officers and Ship’s Company, for having got His Majesty’s ship America on the Formigas Shoal on Saturday, at two o’clock, the 13th day of December.
The Court is of opinion, that the sole cause of the above accident is, the great errors in the charts on board the ship, particularly a French chart of the year 1787, and that published by Hamilton Moore, in the year 1784.
And it appears to the Court, that Captain Bingham was proceeding perfectly consistent with the order produced, and under which he was acting; and that the courses steered were such as would have taken His Majesty’s ship a considerable way to the northward of the Formigas, had that shoal been situated nearly as laid down in the charts above mentioned.
And it has fully appeared to the court, that the conduct of Captain Bingham, the Officers and Ship’s Company of the America, after her striking upon the shoal, both with respect to the most arduous exertions and the most firm and orderly behaviour, has been eminently praise-worthy and meritorious throughout, and deserving of the highest commendation.
And the Court is of opinion, that no blame is to be attached to Captain Bingham, his Officers, and Ship’s Company of the America, for the said accident; and that, after the ship struck, every possible exertion was made by Captain Bingham, the Officers and Ship’s Company for her preservation.
The Court doth therefore adjudge that Captain Bingham, the Officers and Ship’s Company of the America, be acquitted in the fullest manner for any blame on account of that ship’s striking on the Formigas; and with the warmest commendation of the Court for their subsequent conduct – and they are hereby acquitted accordingly. [Hampshire Telegraph, 30 March 1801]

Posted by Jon Miller on Sunday 12th of July 2026 03:19

Portsmouth, 28 March 1801: Yesterday morning arrived the Hind, of 28 guns, Captain Larcom, from Halifax; she sailed the 1st day of this month, with the Sultana merchant ship, and Prudenta brig, under her convoy, from the above place, but parted with both vessels in a gale of wind on the day following, off the banks of Newfoundland. By the above frigate we learn, that the America, of 64 guns, struck upon a reef of rocks called the Fumagos, but was assisted by an American brig. Some time after the Hind and Surprize hove in sight, and by great exertions got her off, and conducted her safe into Port Royal harbour, where she now lies, and is to be converted into a prison-ship. The Hind brought home Capt Bingham, and part of the crew of the America; the remainder were left at Jamaica and Halifax. [Hampshire Chronicle, 30 March 1801]

Posted by Jon Miller on Saturday 11th of July 2026 12:36

Portsmouth, 21 February 1801: The America, of 64 guns, on her passage from England, in December last, ran on a shoal off the north-east end of Jamaica, and was with great diffuculty got into Port Royal; the damage which she received was of such an extent, as to render her unfit for active service. [Hampshire Telegraph, 23 February 1801]

Posted by Tim Oakley on Monday 18th of June 2012 06:09

8 Mar 1795 Squadron under Commodore John Blankett in America 64 with Ruby 64, Statley 64 and Echo 16 sloop stops at Falmouth en route for the Red Sea, recommencing journey on the 12 Mar 1795