HMS Orpheus (1780)
HMS "Orpheus" was a 32–gun fifth rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She was launched in 1780, and served for more than a quarter of a century, before she was wrecked in 1807. American War of Independence. On 14 April 1781, "Orpheus" and captured the off the Delaware. The Royal Navy briefly took her into service as HMS "Confederate". In March 1782, "Orpheus" captured the American letter of marque "Navarro". The Royal Navy took her into service as . French Revolutionary Wars. On 5 May 1794, "Orpheus" captured the French frigate "Duguay Trouin", the former East Indiaman  Princess Royal, which the French had captured on 27 September 1793. On 22 June 1796 "Orpheus" was in the Straits of Banca, where she captured the Dutch brig "Harlingen". The British took "Harlingen" into service as . In August 1797 "Orpheus" was reported as being in Madras and Captain William Hill was appointed commander. Napoleonic Wars. On 16 April 1806, "Orpheus", Captain Thomas Briggs, was in company with the revenue cutter . They shared in the proceeds of the capture of two merchant vessels, "Vrou Fingina" and "Vyf Gesusters". Fate. "Orpheus", under the command of Captain Thomas Briggs, arrived off Jamaica from  England in the evening of 22 January 1807. Being short of water, Briggs decided to try to sail her into Port Royal, rather than wait for a pilot. Around midnight "Orpheus" grounded on a reef that was not accurately marked on her charts. Efforts to lighten her failed and she took on water. When the water reached her main deck, the crew took to the boats, abandoning her. Notes, citations and references. Notes Citations References