HMS Sealark (1806)
HMS "Sealark" was a Royal Navy "Cuckoo"-class schooner of four 12-pounder carronades and a crew of 20. She was built by William Wheaton at Brixham and launched in 1806. Like many of her class and the related "Ballahoo"-class schooners, she succumbed to the perils of the sea relatively early in her career. Service. She was commissioned in October 1806 under Lieutenant Thomas Banks for the North Sea. "Sealark" was at the surrender of the Danish Fleet after the Battle of Copenhagen on 7 September. The prize money amounted to £3 8s for an ordinary seaman , or slightly over two months wages. In 1809 she came under the command of Lieutenant James Procter. Fate. On 18 June 1809 she was sailing in company with in the North Sea. A heavy sea swamped her and she sank immediately. Only one member of her crew survived. On 29 June 1809 "The Times" printed the following: "The "Sealark" schooner has been upset on the coast of Holland and all hands on board, excepting one man, unfortunately perished."