HMS Apelles (1808)
HMS "Apelles" was a "Crocus"-class brig-sloop of the Royal Navy. She was launched in 1808 and sold in 1816. During her service she grounded on the French coast and was in French hands for about a day before the British recaptured her. During her career she captured two French privateers. Career. Commander Thomas Oliver was appointed captain of "Apelles" in September 1808. She participated in the ill-fated Walcheren Campaign. Starting on 30 July 1809, a British armed force of 39,000 men landed on Walcheren. However, the French fleet had left Flushing (Vlissingen) and sailed to  Antwerp, and the British lost over 4,000 men to "Walcheren Fever", a combination of malaria and typhus, and to enemy action. As the strategic reasons for the campaign dissipated and conditions worsened, the British force withdrew in December. Prize money arising from the net proceeds of the property captured at Walcheren and the adjacent islands in the Scheld was paid in October 1812. On 19 October 1810 "Apelles" captured the French privateer "Somnambule" (or "Somnus"), of 18 guns and 56 men, off Dieppe. The privateer was so damaged in the engagement before she surrendered that Oliver had to scuttle her . Before "Apelles" captured her the privateer had captured the sloop "Friends". While "Apelles" was in sight, recaptured "Friends", and sent her into Dover. French sources report that "Somnambule" (or "Somanbule") was a chasse maree commissioned as a privateer in Dieppe in October 1810 under Captain Pierre-Antoine Sauvage. "Lieutenant de vaisseau" F. Lecomte was Sauvage's second-in-command. In the engagement a musket ball killed Sauvage, and Lecomte took over, and it was he that struck, though not before he himself was wounded. The French sources furthermore give her 11 guns, not 18. Commander Frederick Hoffman assumed command in  December, relieving Oliver. "Apelles"s officers had informed Admiral George Campbell that Oliver was insane, and that discipline on the sloop had deteriorated. Campbell ordered a Court of Inquiry, and as a result of its report, gently suggested to Oliver that he resign, which, after some hesitation, he did. Hoffman recommissioned her in early 1811. Captured by the French. "Apelles" and were blockading the French coast between Cape Gris Nez and Étaples when at 3am on the morning of 3 May 1812 a thick fog descended. Within 45 minutes "Skylark" had grounded. All efforts to free "Skylark" failed and in  the morning shore batteries started firing on her as French troops started to gather. The crew set fire to "Skylark" and left in her boats. "Apelles" too had run aground in the fog at about 4am, and within sight of "Skylark". Shore batteries fired on "Apelles" also, and troops gathered. All efforts to free her failed and by 6am Commander Frederick Hoffman ordered his crew into the boats. Unfortunately there was not enough room for all, so Hoffman and 19 of his men stayed behind. Commander Boxer, of "Skylark", came alongside in a boat and urged Hoffman to  leave, but Hoffman refused to do so while some of his men were still on board. As more French troops arrived with field artillery, Hoffman raised a white flag at about 6:30am. Before he gave up his ship, Hoffman and the purser burned all "Apelles"s signal books and other instructions. The French took Hoffman and his men prisoner and refloated "Apelles". However, the next day and arrived and were able to drive "Apelles" on shore. Then and arrived. Gunfire from the British squadron drove the French off, permitting boats from "Bermuda" to recapture "Apelles". Return to service. Between May and  September "Apelles" underwent refitting at Sheerness. She then came under the command of Commander Charles Robb. Robb was already captain in December when "Apelles" captured the Danish vessels "No. 23" (3 December), "Haabet" (13 December), and "Falken" (20 December). At daybreak on 18 February 1813, "Apelles" captured the French privateer cutter "Ravisseur" at . "Ravisseur" was armed with ten 9-pounder carronades and four long 6-pounder guns, and had a crew of 51 men under the command of M. Alexander Happey. She was 12 days out of Dunkirk and had intended to cruise off Flamborough Head, but westerly gales had  driven her eastward. She had not made any captures. "Apelles" sent her into Leith. Commander Robb drowned on 27 February off the Isle of May when a gale of wind washed him overboard. He was assisting in throwing her guns overboard to lighten her. Commander Alexander M"Vicar (or McVicar) was appointed to "Apelles" on 8 March, and recommissioned her that month for the North Sea. McVicar tested a new patent compass in July and wrote a testimonial letter on 13 June. Vice-Admiral Robert Otway had ordered him to test the compass belonging to Mr. Alexander, of Leith, and McVicar  used it for some nine weeks, finding it better than the other compasses on "Apelles". It was quick to come on point and held its direction in heavy seas and despite shocks such as guns firing or seas striking. On 11 December 1813, "Apelles" captured "Speculation". "Speculation", of Bergen, Fornguest, master, reached Leith on 21 December. In 1814 "Apelles" visited Archangel, having sailed from Leith with a fleet after first having had to put back. Fate. "Apelles" was paid off into ordinary in September 1815. The Admiralty offered her for sale at Sheerness on 17 February 1816. Mr. Marclark purchased  her on 6 March 1816 for £800. Notes, citations, and references. Notes Citations References