HMS Arrow (1796)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Arrow.

Action of HMS Arrow and Acheron against the French frigates Hortense and Incorruptible: Beginning of the action, 4 February 1805, by Francis Sartorious Jr., National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Left to right: Acheron, Hortense, Arrow, and Incorruptible
History
Great Britain
NameHMS Arrow
BuilderHobbs & Hellyer at Redbridge
Commissioned1796
Decommissioned1805
Honors and
awards
Captured4 February 1805
FateBurned 4 February 1805
General characteristics [3]
Tons burthen38616⁄94 (bm)
Length128 ft 8 in (39.2 m) (overall); 80 ft 8 in (24.6 m) (keel)
Beam30 ft (9.1 m)
Depth of hold7 ft 11 in (2.4 m)
Sail planSloop
Complement121 (later 140)
Armament
  • Initially:
  • Upper deck (UD): 24 × 32-pounder carronades
  • QD: 2 × 32-pounder carronades with two more being added later
  • Fc: 2 × 32-pounder carronades
  • Later:
  • UD: 18 × 32-pounder carronades
  • QD: nil
  • Fc: 2 × 6-pounder chase guns
  • Note: All the carronades were experimental 24 cwt carronades

HMS Arrow was a sloop-of-war in the Royal Navy that the Admiralty purchased in 1796. during the French Revolutionary Wars she participated in many actions, including one that resulted in her crew qualifying for the Naval General Service Medal. On 3 February 1805 she and Acheron were escorting a convoy from Malta to England when they encountered two French frigates. Arrow and Acheron were able to save the majority of the vessels of the convoy by their resistance before they were compelled to strike. Arrow sank almost immediately after surrendering, and Acheron was so badly damaged that the French burnt her.

  1. ^ a b "No. 20939". The London Gazette. 26 January 1849. p. 239.
  2. ^ "No. 20939". The London Gazette. 26 January 1849. p. 240.
  3. ^ Winfield (2008), p. 384.