HMS Utile (1804)
HMS "Utile" was the mercantile "Volunteer", launched at Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1803, that the Admiralty purchased for the Royal Navy. She had an undistinguished 10-year naval career before Admiralty sold her in 1814. She resumed the name "Volunteer" and after a voyage to Martinique she traded between London and Bordeaux. She was last listed in 1822. Career. Mercantile "Volunteer". "Volunteer" appeared in the "Register of Shipping" in 1804 with Rudd, master, Bulmer & Co., owners, and trade Newcastle–London. Royal Navy. The Navy purchased "Volunteer" in June 1804. She underwent fitting at Deptford in May–June , and then between 12 June and 4 August at Deptford Dockyard. Commander William Richardson commissioned her in June. Around 24 March 1805, as the East Indiaman was coming into London at the end of her voyage, "Utile" pressed eight of her crew. "Utile" also lent her eight crew men to work "Euphrates" into dock. "Utile" was part of a fleet under Admiral Douglas when in the morning of 24 April a squadron under sighted twenty-six French vessels rounding Cap Gris Nez. The British captured seven schuyts, which were all of 25 to 28 tons burthen, and carried in all  117 soldiers and 43 seamen under the command of officers from the 51st. Infantry Regiment. The French convoy had been bound for Ambleteuse from Dunkirk. On the British side the only casualty was one man wounded. "Utile" was among the many vessels in the fleet that shared in the prize money for the capture. On 17 October "Utile" recaptured the transport "Carr", for which she received salvage money. Richardson died while "Utile" was cruising in the North Sea; the notice appeared on 1 march 1806. In 1807 "Utile" was in ordinary at Sheerness. Between March and September she was fitted  to lay in Yarmouth Roads. Lieutenant Edward Blaquiere commissioned her in April 1808 to serve as a receiving ship. In 1810 Lieutenant William Gilchrist replaced Blaquiere. Then in 1813 Blanquiere returned, replacing Gilchrist. Disposal: The Principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy offered "Utile, of 340 tons", lying at Deptford, for sale on 30 June 1814. She sold there on that day for £2,560. Mercantile "Volunteer". "Volunteer" entered "Lloyd's Register" in 1815 with J. Ireland, master, Ireland & Co., owners, and trade London–Martinique. She had been almost rebuilt in 1814. She then traded between London and  Bordeaux. Fate. "Volunteer" was last listed in 1822. Citations and references. Citations References