HMS Astraea (1781)

HMS Astraea captures the Gloire, a print by Thomas Whitcombe
History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Astraea
Ordered	7 May 1779
Builder	Robert Fabian, East Cowes
Laid down	September 1779
Launched	24 July 1781
Commissioned	July 1781
Honours and awards	Naval general Service Medal with clasps "Astraea 10 April 1795"[1] "Egypt"[2]
Fate	Wrecked off Anegada, 23 March 1808
General characteristics
Class and type	Active-class frigate
Type	Fifth Rate frigate
Tons burthen	703 14⁄94 (bm)
Length	Gundeck: 126 ft (38.4 m) Keel: 103 ft 7+3⁄8 in (31.6 m)
Beam	35 ft 9 in (10.9 m)
Depth of hold	12 ft (3.7 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Complement	250
Armament	Upper deck: 26 × 12-pounder guns QD: 4 × 6-pounder guns Fc: 2 × 6-pounder guns

HMS Astraea (or Astrea) was a 32-gun fifth rate Active-class frigate of the Royal Navy. Fabian at E. Cowes launched her in 1781, and she saw action in the American War of Independence as well as during the Napoleonic Wars. She is best known for her capture of the larger French frigate Gloire in a battle on 10 April 1795, while under the command of Captain Lord Henry Paulet. She was wrecked on 23 March 1808 off the coast of Anegada in the British Virgin Islands.