Dates: 1798 - 1897
HMS Foudroyant was an 80-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. She was built in Plymouth, and launched on 31 March 1798. She was named for the 80-gun Foudroyant, captured from the French on 28 February 1758. This Foudroyant was a one-off design, differing from the British norm, and following French practise, by mounting the 80 guns on two decks rather than 3, as was typical of the British second rate. Nelson used Foudroyant as his flagship from 6 June 1799 until the end of June 1801.
Service History
Foudroyant had a long and successful career, and although she was not involved in any major fleet action, she did provide invaluable service to numerous admirals throughout her 17 years on active service, and in her later life she helped train boys in the ways of the sea.
French Revolutionary War
Foudroyant was first commissioned on 25 May 1798, under the command of Captain Thomas Byard. His command of the ship lasted only until 31 October when, after bringing the ship back to Plymouth, he died. Captain William Butterfield temporarily took command of the ship, before being transferred to Hazard just twelve days later.
Captain John Elphinstone took up command of the ship on 26 November 1798, in Cawsand Bay. Lord Keith hoisted his flag in her on 28 November, and Foudroyant departed to join the Mediterranean Squadron on 5 December. After arriving at Gibraltar, Keith shifted his flag to Barfleur on 31 December, and Captain Elphinstone left the ship the following day, being replaced by Captain James Richard Dacres. Dacres’ command lasted for four months, before he was replaced on 22 March 1799 by Captain William Brown. Foudroyant sailed from Gibraltar on 11 May, calling at Port Mahon before arriving at Palermo on 7 June. At this time, Brown transferred to Vanguard, and Captain Thomas Hardy took over the command. The following day, Lord Nelson hoisted his flag in Foudroyant.
Over the following months, Foudroyant was involved in the efforts to return the Neapolitan royal family to Naples. Nelson’s fleet arrived in Naples, without the royal family at this time, on 24 June, and landed 500 marines in support of the Neapolitans. A series of reprisals against known insurgents followed, during which time more than one court martial was held at the invitation of the Neapolitan officers, resulting in hangings in some cases. Whilst Foudroyant was in Naples harbour, Nelson began his affair with Emma, Lady Hamilton. The ship departed Naples on 6 August, in company with the frigate Syren, and the Portuguese ship Principe Real. Foudroyant also transported the Sardinian royal family to Leghorn on 22 September.
On 13 October, Foudroyant entered Port Mahon harbour, and Captain Hardy was succeeded in command by Captain Sir Edward Berry. 22 October found Foudroyant back at Palermo. Nelson remained ashore when the ship departed for Gozo on 29 October, with Minotaur. In November, after weathering a storm in Palermo harbour, Foudroyant departed once more, this time with Culloden, and ran aground in the Straits of Messina. With Culloden’s assistance, it was possible to haul the ship off and into deep water. On 6 December a large part of the 89th regiment embarked on Foudroyant. The soldiers were landed at St. Paul’s Bay, on Malta on the 10th. She was back at Palermo on 15 January 1800, when Lord Nelson hoisted his flag in her once again, and Foudroyant sailed on to Leghorn, arriving on the 21st, where she received salutes from Danish and Neapolitan frigates, and two Russian ships of the line.
Sicilian soldiers were embarked on 11 February, and Foudroyant sailed the next day for Malta, in company with Alexander, Northumberland (both 74s), and Success (32). On 18 February, the squadron began a chase of a squadron of three French ships — Le Genereux (74), Badine (28), and Fauvette (20). Alexander forced one of the frigates to surrender, whilst Success engaged Le Genereux, and the two ships exchanged a couple of bro
