Naval Database

Caesar, 1793
Type: 2nd rate ; Armament 80
Launched : 1793 ; Disposal date or year : 1821
BM: 2003 tons
Complement: 724
Notes:

2 May - 1 Jun 1794 Departure of the Channel Fleet from St. Helen's, and the lead up to actions and manoeuvres with the French fleet. 19 May 1794 covered frigates looking into Brest Roads. 29 May - 1 Jun., what was to be known as the Battle of the Glorious 1st June commences, resulting in the capture of six sail of the line and one sunk. Review of the part performed by each British ship engaged. 13 Jun, the fleet arrived back in home ports.

14 Feb 1795 the Channel fleet sailed from Torbay for a brief cruise and to see various convoys safe out of the Channel.

28 Oct 1798 Caesar, Terrible and Melpomene chase French Squadron on its return from Ireland.

25 Apr 1799 cruising off Brest.

Circa late Jun 1799 arrived in the Tagus from the Channel Squadron to take a convoy and prizes to the England.

Doubled and sheathed &c.from top of the side down to six strakes under the wale and strengthened with diagonal braces

5 Jul 1801 sailed from off Cadiz for Algeziras roads where, on the 6th, the squadron engaged a small French squadron protected shore batteries, during which severe action the Hannibal went aground and was lost to the Spanish and French : details of casualties sustained in the action.

12 Jul 1801 sailed Gibraltar to chase a Franco-Spanish squadron observed sailing from Algeziras. 12th-13th the engagement commenced resulting in the destruction of 2 first rates, and the capture of a 3rd rate.

May 1805 Plymouth in Ordinary

22 Aug 1805 brief encounter with the French fleet before it sailed back into the safety of Brest.

29 Oct 1805 in search of the Rochefort squadron. 2 Nov Phoenix reported position of the French Squadron : the chase began. 3-4 Nov 4th, the frigates harass the French rear. The action. the French haul down their colours. Casualties. The frigates role in the action ; prizes taken to Plymouth and added to the Service. The honours, awards and promotions.

4 Jan 1806 Sir R. Strachan's squadron fitting for the West Indies at Plymouth. 14th the squadron sailed from Cawsand Bay for St.-Helena in search of a French squadron under R.-adm Willaumez.

19 May 1806 sailed from Plymouth as part of a squadron under R.-adm Sir R J Strachan to cruise off Madeira and the Canary islands. 8 Aug arrived Barbadoes. 18 Aug. having sailed the squadron was separated by a gale.

29 Nov 1807-18 Jan 1808 off Rochefort watching the French squadron, but bad weather and the need to victual pushed the squadron under R.-adm Sir R J Strachan out to sea.

Circa 1 Feb 1808 having, due to bad weather, been unable to maintain a watch off Rochefort, R.-adm. Strachan's squadron, on being informed of the escape of the French squadron, probably bound to the Mediterranean, sailed in pursuit.

Circa 4 Feb 1808 off Ferrol, spoke Sir R King's squadron ; on the 9th was off Cadiz, passed the Rock on the following day, and joined V.-adm. E. Thornborough's squadron in Palermo bay on the 21st.

2 Mar 1808 joined Lord Collingwood's squadron off the island of Maritimo. 6 Mar received news that the French fleet had been at sea for a month and sailed in search, which continued for a week or two after the French fleet had returned to Toulon on 10 Apr. Leaving Vice-admiral Thornborough with a sufficient force to blockade Toulon, Lord Collingwood sailed for Gibraltar and Cadiz, to contribute his aid to the cause of the Spanish patriots.

23 Feb 1809 Amethyst observes M. Willaumez's French squadron abreast of the Tour de Baleine and signalled Rear-admiral Stopford's squadron, consisting of the Cęsar, Defiance, and Donegal, who went in chase of the French, and watched them entering Basque road on the 24th and despatched the frigate Naļad to inform Lord Gambia.

24 Feb 1809 Naļad observed 3 suspicious sail coming down from the northward and signalled Rear-admiral Stopford's squadron accordingly : leaving the Amethyst and Emerald to watch Basque road, the squadron sailed in search of the approaching vessels.

24 Feb 1809 Amelia and Dotterel in chase of a French frigate squadron, who on sighting Rear-admiral Stopford's squadron steered for the Sable d'Olonne where they came to anchor. Following a heavy bombardment the French ships were driven on shore and were subsequently wrecked.

24 Feb 1809 later that day Rear-admiral Stopford's squadron returned to his station off the Chasseron lighthouse, and observed the squadron of M. Willaumez at anchor in Basque roads, and was joined on the 25th by Captain Beresford and his three ships, with his force thus augmented to seven sail of the line and five frigates, resumed the blockade of the port, with the Hero joining shortly afterwards.

7 Mar 1809 Admiral Lord Gambier relieved Rear-admiral Stopford's in command of the blockade of Basque Roads.

17 Mar 1809 anchored in Basque roads. 11 Apr the use of fire ships, explosion-vessels, and Congreve rockets against the French fleet at Basque roads and the results thereof. 12 Apr attempt made to destroy grounded French vessels, following the previous night's attack.

28 Jul 1809 a part of a large fleet which sailed from the Downs, with troops, with the aim of demolishing the dock-yards, and arsenals at Antwerp, Terneuse, and Flushing, often known as the ill-fated Walcheren Expedition.

Portsmouth 10 Jan 1810 Sailed for Plymouth.

Portsmouth 21 Apr 1811 Parted company from a squadron at the back of the Isle of Wight.

Plymouth 23 Apr 1811 Came in with convoy from Lisbon