Naval Database

Urania, 1812
Type: Merchant vessel ;
Notes:
19 Jun 1812 Boat of Briseis at Pillau
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On the 19th of June, 1812, the British 10-gun brig-sloop Briseis, Captain John Ross, by the orders of Rear-admiral Thomas Byam Martin, stood into Pillau roads in the Baltic, to communicate with the British merchant ship Urania, and found that she was in possession of the French troops, and that they intended to destroy her if the Briseis approached. Captain Ross accordingly tacked and stood off, and at midnight detached the pinnace, under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Jones, the 2d, with midshipman William Palmer and 18 men, to endeavour to recapture the ship.

The instant she got within gun-shot of the ship, the pinnace was fired at by the French on board, who had six carriage-guns and four swivels mounted. But every obstacle was overcome by the gallantry of Lieutenant Jones and his small party ; who gave three cheers, boarded over the small-craft that were alongside, and drove the French troops off the decks into their boats which were on the opposite side. The cable was then cut, and the Urania was brought out, together with a French scout that had been employed in unlading her. In executing this dashing service, the British had one seaman killed, and Mr. Palmer and one seaman slightly wounded.