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La Gaité | 4402 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaieté | |||
| Nominal Guns | 20 | E-WIKI | |
| Nationality | République Française | ||
| Operator | State Navy | ||
| Launched | 1796 | E-WIKI | |
| First Commissioned | 1797 | E-WIKI | |
| How acquired | Purpose built | E-WIKI | |
| Shipyard | Bayonne - Aquitaine | E-WIKI | |
| Ship Class | Bonne Citoyenne Class (1794) | ||
| Designed by | Raymond-Antoine HaranFrench Designer Ship Builder | E-WIKI | |
| Category | Sixth Rate | E-WIKI | |
| Ship Type | Corvette | ||
| Sailing Rig | Ship Rigged | ||
| Captured | 20.8.1797 | E-WIKI | |
| Becomes | British Sixth Rate ship 'Gaiete' (1797) (20)
1797-1808 British 20 Gun 6th Rate Ship | ||
Copy of a letter from Captain Thomas Wolley, Commander of His Majesty's Ship Arethusa, to Evan Nepean, Esq; dated Spithead, September 13, 1797.
I am to acquaint you, that on the 20th of August, being in Latitude 30 .deg. 49 min. and Longitude 55. deg. 50 min having in tow a ship under Prussian Colours from Surinam, which I have detained suspecting her to be Dutch Property, we perceived, at day-light, 3 sail to Windward ot us, One of which, deceived your appearance, bore down upon us, under french colours, to within half gun-shot, when she begin to fire, which she continued for more than half an hour before she attempted to escape.
We were, however, fortunate enough to have so disabled her in that time as to render her endeavours fruitless. On striking she proved to be La Gaiete, French Corvette, of 20 French 8-pounders and 186 men, commanded by M. Guinée, Enseigne de Vaisseau. She is a very handsome ship, and quite new, this being her first voyage. She left France in April last for Cayenne, which last place she sailed from about 4 weeks before we fell in with her, in company with the L'Espoir, a Brig of 14 guns, who kept to windward during the action, and stood away as soon as she saw the fate of the Gaiete. They had not taken any thing.
I am sorry to have to add a List of killed and wounded.
Return of killed and wounded on board His Majesty' Ship Arethusa in the action with La Gaiete French Corvette, on the 20th of August, 1797.
1 Seaman killed.
Mr. W. D. Morton, Captain's Clerk, lost his Leg
2 Seamen wounded.
Return of killed and wounded on board La Gaiete , French Corvette,
M. Guinée, Commander.
2 Seamen killed.
8 Seamen wounded.
(Signed) T. WOLLEY.