HMS Acasta (1797)

HMS "Acasta" was a 40-gun fifth rate frigate of the Royal Navy that saw service in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, as well as the War of 1812.

Design

She was launched in 1797 by Wells, of Rotherhithe as one of the largest frigates built in England, mounting forty guns, thirty 18 pounders on one main gun deck, with another ten 9 pounder long guns on the quarterdeck and forecastle. The 9 pounders were later replaced by eight 32 pounder carronades. Designed by Sir William Rule, it was meant to provide a ship that could take the place of the 44-gun ships that carried their armament on two decks.

Career

In the Caribbean

"Acasta's" first captain was Richard Lane, who took command in February 1797 and oversaw her launch and commissioning. He sailed her to Jamaica, and in October 1798 she joined with , HMS|Forester|1806|2, HMS|Eurydice|1781|2, HMS|Ringdove|1806|2, HMS|Haughty|1804|2 and HMS|Eclair|1807|2. The British were hampered by the weather, which was very windy and squally with a considerable swell. Beaver decided to enter the Cul de Sac with all his warships rather than risk anchoring off Loup Garou. He prepared carefully, sending out boats with flags to mark the shoals before "Acasta" led HMS|Penelope|1798|2 and the transports in. They successfully negotiated the passage and were all anchored by noon. The landing commenced and by sunset 4,500 men with a proportion of artillery and horses had been landed. The reserve were landed by 7 o'clock the next morning and the attack began. The assault ended in the French calling for a truce when one of the magazines in the fort blew up after a prolonged bombardment.

Cochrane was again in action in April, blockading a French squadron of three sail of the line and two frigates which had taken shelter in the Iles des Saintes near Guadeloupe. An attempt to capture the islands was prepared, and Captain Beaver aboard "Acasta" was made commodore of the division. The fleet sailed from Fort Royal Bay, Martinique on 12 April with two or three thousand troops. Beaver made a examination of the enemy positions with Cochrane before launching the attack. Despite heavy weather the night before, the ships had collected together by 10 o'clock on the morning of 14 April. "Acasta" led HMS|Gloire|1806|2, HMS|Narcissus|1801|2, HMS|Circe|1804|2 and HMS|Intrepid|1770|2 into the channel and anchored opposite the Bois Joly. The frigates covered the landings which were made without opposition except from the guns in the Islet of Cabrit which fired over the ridge. Three days of fighting followed, after which the French forts had been reduced and the French troops captured. The French ships had abandoned the area on 14 April.

Off the American coast

"Acasta" then returned to England and was under repair in Plymouth in 1811, with Captain Alexander Robert Kerr taking over command in April 1811. On the outbreak of the War of 1812, "Acasta" was assigned to operate off the coast of America. She captured the brig "Federal" on 17 September 1812. The "Federal" was bound for Boston from Prince's Island. The "Acasta" also retook the schooner "Blonde" on 17 October, which had been on passage from Martinique to Newfoundland. Further success followed in 3 November when "Acasta", HMS|Maidstone|1811|2, HMS|Aeolus|1801|2 and HMS|Childers|1812|2 captured the 10-gun privateer schooner "Snapper", crewed by 90 men and cruising out of Philadelphia. "Acasta" then captured the schooner "Farmer's Fancy", enroute from Charlestown to Philadelphia on 11 December, and on 25 December "Acasta" and HMS|Poictiers|1809|2 captured the letter of marque brig "Herald", bound from Bordeaux to Baltimore. The "Fancy" was taken into service with the Royal Navy as the sloop-of-war HMS|Barbadoes|1813|2. "Acasta" also assisted in the capture of the privateer "Snapper" and the letter of marque "Porcupine". The latter was carrying a valuable cargo from Bayonne to Boston. The privateer "Highflyer" was captured in January 1813, as well as the "Lydia", out of Rhode Island.

During these actions, one Robert Cox, one of "Acasta's" seamen, was tried by court martial for deserting to the enemy on 13 May 1813 and for attempting to persuade others to do the same. The charges were proved and Cox was sentenced to death. Further captures followed, the American schooner "Providence" and the sloop "Diana" were sent into Halifax in July 1814, whilst another two schooners, the "Stephanie" and the "Hazard" were taken on 2 August, as was the sloop "Jane".

Chasing the "Constitution"

Sir George Collier had also been active in American waters, and aboard HMS|Leander|1813|6 had for several months been watching the USS|Constitution, then in harbour at Boston. He had been forced to break off his surveillance in order to re-provision the "Leander" in Halifax, but had left "Acasta" and HMS|Newcastle|1813|2 off the port. Whilst Collier was away the "Constitution" and two other heavy frigates left Boston on a cruise. Sir George prepared for pursuit, but had orders to send "Acasta" into Halifax for a refit. Captain Kerr pleaded to allowed to join the chase, and Collier relented and allowed "Acasta" to remain. The British squadron eventually sighted the "Constitution" in heavy weather on 11 March 1815. She was proceeding with two prizes, the sloops HMS|Levant|1813|2 and HMS|Cyane|1806|2 off Porto Praya. A chase ensued but the American was able to escape. The "Levant" was retaken however after "Leander's" fire had caused her run ashore. "Acasta" then took possession. Sir George eventually left "Acasta" and "Newcastle" windward of Barbados whilst he searched for the "Constitution". The "Constitution" had instead returned to port and avoided an engagement.

"Acasta" returned to England in 1815, and spent a further six years in service before being broken up on 1 January 1821.

References

*Colledge
* [http://www.ageofnelson.org/MichaelPhillips/info.php?ref=0006 Details of HMS Acasta's career]