Contents

HMS Hermes (1796)

History
The Netherlands
Name	Mercuur
Launched	1781
Captured	12 May 1796
Great Britain
Name	HMS Hermes
Acquired	1796 by capture
Fate	Foundered 31 January 1797
General characteristics [1][2]
Type	brig-sloop
Tons burthen	210 (bm)[2]
Length	85' (Amsterdam foot)[a]
Beam	30'
Depth of hold	13'
Propulsion	Sails
Complement	Dutch service:150 At capture:85 Royal Navy:80
Armament	Dutch service: 12-24 guns At capture:16 guns British service: 14 × 24-pounder carronades + 2 × 6-pounder chase guns

HMS Hermes was the Dutch cutter Mercuur, that the Amsterdam Admiralty purchased in 1781 or 1782. (Mercuur was a brig when captured.) HMS Sylph captured her off the Texel on 12 May 1796 after a chase during which Mercuur threw all but two of her guns overboard.^[3]

The British Royal Navy commissioned her in July 1796 under Commander William Mulso, for the North Sea.^[2]

Hermes disappeared during a gale on 31 January 1797.^[2] She was presumed to have foundered with all hands.^[4]

See also[edit]

• List of people who disappeared mysteriously at sea

Notes[edit]

Citations[edit]

References[edit]

• Hepper, David J. (1994). British Warship Losses in the Age of Sail, 1650–1859. Rotherfield: Jean Boudriot. ISBN 0-948864-30-3.
• van Maanen, Ron (20 June 2008). "Preliminary list of Dutch naval vessel built or required in the period 1700-1799" (PDF).
• Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-246-7.

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