Royal navy conversion of captured ships

[Aldaris]

Hi all,

 

I would like to ask the knowledgable Admiralty around that fill gaps in my humble knowledge of nautical information.
I wonder what actually happened to ships in the 18. And 19. Century with prized captures if the Royal Navy wanted to use them in service again? What did they do to the ship itself? What they changed or altered on the prize ships? Repaint? Rerigged? Or just slapped a new flag and done with it?

Thanks in advance,

Thomas

from Ireland 

[Kenchington]

Short answer: It depends -- or I should say "depended".

 

Depended on what was captured, how much damage had been done in the capturing, what need the captors had for the captured, what facilities were available for work on the vessel, how urgent the need to get her into service ... and probably a lot more besides. Given time and other resources, hulls could be strengthened, rigs converted to RN standards, guns replaced (along with all of the other armament gear to suit the new weapons) and more. Captured privateers might be converted into anti-privateering patrol vessels -- a different role requiring heavier armament, more stores etc., hence substantial conversion.

 

Trevor

[chris watton]

As Kenchington says, it depends.

Some were given just the basics, capstan and positions changed, top hamper, boat stowage and armament (?)

Some were changed almost beyond recognition with stern and side galleries changed to have a more British navy aesthetic, even the figurehead, deck hatch changes, upper bulwarks usually berthed up (if we’re talking late 18th/early 19th Century) and upper deck armament changed to carronades.

There are many plans showing the vessel ‘as built’ in the French yards and as rebuilt by British yards.
 

[Lieste]

Sometimes the ship is commissioned into the cruising fleet 'as is' after repair if needed - HMS surprise (ex L'Unite corvette) was still armed with her French 8 Livre and 4 Livre guns when she sailed to Jamaica in 1796. On arrival at Plymouth in 1798 she was remasted, her spardeck bulwarks were built up, French guns removed and the plan was for British equivalents to replace them (9 pdr, 4 pdr guns 12 pdr carronades... but the Admiralty was persuaded to replace them with a carronade heavy armament of 32pdr and 18pdr carronades (and either a 4pdr or 6pdr chase gun pair).

Things could be similar for the French too.. 2 of the French fleet at Trafalgar were previously British ships and still carried their British guns. 

For rigging, even if the sticks are the original foreign materials, the rigging might be adapted towards normal national practice, during repairs or while otherwise idle.

[Aldaris]

Thanks the reply Trevor and Chris. 
 

Currently I am preoccupied by Columbus' fleet (Nina, Pinta, St. Maria), but I already look for my next project.

 

As the current project is more of a return to the hobby, I am shy about it. Made mistakes and had to salvage old Amati sets. 
 

as for next project: I was thinking make the HMS Nassau aka the HDMS Holsteen using Norske Love Kit and wondered if I attempt this how much changes I might need. I researched Holsteen  but foound the stern and the hull similar enough. 

 

My decision to go this route as some ships like Caldercraft ones are very expensive to get with the extra custom duty. Amati is beyond my price range but Norske Love has a good price range and the quality considered good. Also find the conversion idea intriguing. If you have any better Idea I am all ears,  as my aim is getting a ship from 18th or early 19th century from the Royal Navy. Preferably frigates or ship of the line. 
 

so TLDR: plan to buy Norske Love by Billing Boats, but want to convert it to a Royal navy HMS Nassau . Assuming Norske Love is similar enough for being in place for Holsteen. I look cor help here to give me advice what to look for.

 

Thx again

 

Thomas