Spitfire

Posted by Jon Miller on Friday 12th of June 2026 03:08

Monday arrived in the Sound the Spitfire, of 20 guns, Capt M Seymour, from a cruize, and brought in with her a very beautiful French cutter privateer, called Les Bon Amis, of 8 guns, and 37 men, which she captured on Sunday morning off the Lizard, after a chace of 22 hours. When she was first discovered she was standing towards three English brigs, and woukd have been along-side one of them in a few minutes, and, but for the Spitfire, would have captured the whole of them. [Hampshire Chronicle, 8 April 1797]

Posted by Jon Miller on Thursday 11th of June 2026 13:18

The Spitfire sloop of war has captured and sent into Plymouth, l’Allegre, an ordnance store-ship of 200 tons, laden with arms and ammunition belonging to the French fleet. She was taken near Brest, on her return to that place, in company with, and in the rear of, a French squadron of four sail of the line and five frigates. [Hampshire Chronicle, 21 January 1797]

Posted by Tim Oakley on Sunday 18th of February 2018 18:45

23 Jul 1801 a few days ago a Court Martial was held on board the Cambridge, flag ship, in Hamoaze, on Mr. Banfield, purser of his Majesty's sloop of war, Spitfire16 sloop Commander Robert Keen, on a charge of disobedience of orders to his Captain. The charge was fully proved but on account of the excellent character given Mr. Banfield by several respectable Naval Officers, he was only mulcted by the Court in one year's pay, and reinstated as Purser of the Spitfire.

Posted by Tim Oakley on Friday 20th of July 2012 21:19

1791 May 27 Spitfire 8 fire ship commander Thomas Francis Fremantle at Spithead
1791 Jun 26 Spitfire 8 guard ship off Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
1791 Sept Spitfire 8 paid off
Ref : not Rif Winfield