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5 Demerliac requests

Hi Rama, I have just finished HM Revenue Cutter Swallow. She captured alone or in company five named privateers: Enfant de la Patrie, Chauvelin, Petit Diable, Diable Volant, and Revanche. Fingers crossed that Demerliac has additional info on any of these. They were in the Channel, but they were also mostly small. In the meantime, I will start on Otway and Plover. Cheers, Acad Ronin (talk) 01:45, 7 November 2017 (UTC)

Otway (1800 ship) is done. Acad Ronin (talk) 10:14, 7 November 2017 (UTC)

Hello,

• Enfant de la Patrie (1793): nothing
• Chauvelin (1793): nothing
• Petit Diable (1796): privateer commissioned in Dunkirk in 1795 under the American captain William Ripner, with 44 men and 8 guns. Captured by HMS Swallow on 27 August 1796. (p. 214, n°1686)
• Diable Volant (1796): not 100% sure but I would wager a bet that this is a 9-ton privateer commissioned in June 1796 in Boulogne under Jean-Pierre Sauvage-Clarté, with 34 men armed only with small arms. First cruise from June to August under Sauvage-Clarté; then November to December under Jean-Augustin "Paquette" Huret; then in December under Antoine Caudron, with a call to the port of Dieppe. She is said to have sailed again under Sauvage-Clarté in June 1797, which is inconsistant with Swallow, and "probably" have been captured by the British in June or July. (p.226 n°1847)
• Revanche (1808): very likely a privateer from Calais, commissioned in February 1807; two cruises, first under an unknown captain from February to May 1807, then under François Fourmentin from December 1807 to January 1808. (p.237, n°1670)

Splendid achievement on Otway, thanks and congratulations! I just realised that Otway is listed in 1800-1815, p. 106, n°794, as possibly recommissioned as a corvette in the Navy, but not on the Navy lists in 1807; 4 12-pounders, 14 6-pounders and 2 18-pounder carronades, ultimate fate unknown. Next is Plowers at n°795 on the same page, 20 6-pounders, also possibly recommissioned but fate unknown.

Cheers! Rama (talk) 20:58, 7 November 2017 (UTC)

Well, well, well. I have added the privateer info to the Swallow article, and am going to see what I can find re Otway and Plover. The possibility that they ended up in the French Navy, even if briefly, is a cool wrinkle. That may be why their names seemed familiar. I may have looked them up when I was assisting Winfield and Roberts with some questions they had in preparing their book. Thanks for the help. Acad Ronin (talk) 21:32, 7 November 2017 (UTC)

Ha. Found them in my notes. They are in the Winfield & Roberts book with the same info as in Demerliac. (W&R used Demerliac as a key source.) I will add this info to the articles. Acad Ronin (talk) 21:38, 7 November 2017 (UTC)

It's also a clue as to why Roche mentioned them as notable prizes. Nice catch, congratulations! Rama (talk) 23:12, 7 November 2017 (UTC)

Actually, that was your catch. And I suspect you are right about the reason for notability. Cheers, Acad Ronin (talk) 02:54, 8 November 2017 (UTC)

Plover is now up. I suspect that she was launched under another name and only renamed c.1800. I even think I know her predecessor, but I can't prove it. Perhaps in time. In the meantime, does Roche have anything about Plover/Plowers or Otway that Demerliac doesn't? Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 17:56, 8 November 2017 (UTC)

No, no such luck, sorry. They were probably commissioned very shortly at Ile de France, they seem to have been chronically hungry for ships to use in the defence of the island in these years. Rama (talk) 18:34, 9 November 2017 (UTC)

Too bad. Thanks for looking.Acad Ronin (talk) 19:33, 9 November 2017 (UTC)

1 Demerliac request

Hi Rama, I have just finished Admiral Gardner (1797 EIC ship). In 1804 she had aninconclusive engagement with a privateer. A letter from the captain says she was the 32-gun Jeune Adele. However, other sources say the privateer was Bellona. Does Demerliac have any info? Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 03:45, 12 November 2017 (UTC)

Hello,

I have a Jeune Adèle in 1804, but she was a schooner from Guadeloupe with 16 guns. The description of the ship and place of the action would be more suggestive of Bellone.

Cheers! Rama (talk) 19:33, 12 November 2017 (UTC)

Good info. Thanks. I will go with the Bellone then. Acad Ronin (talk) 20:43, 12 November 2017 (UTC)

Done.Acad Ronin (talk) 15:28, 14 November 2017 (UTC)

Some more Demerliac requests

Hi Rama, These are from some older articles. The article on HMS Scorpion has Scorpion capturing three privateers, one of them Glaneur of Saint-Malo. The article on Speedy (1779 ship) has Glaneur, of Saint-Malo capturing Speedy. If this is the same Glaneur, I would like to link the two articles. Cheers and thanks en avant, Acad Ronin (talk) 15:28, 14 November 2017 (UTC)

Hello,

Glâneur was a 60-ton, 14-gun privateer built in Saint-Malo in 1806 and commissioned in November 1806. She did a cruise under Louis-Joseph Quoniam with 65 men betwee November 1806 and March 1807. Circa September 1807 she departed under a Captain Fabre for a cruise during which she Scorpion captured her. (p.266 n°2040)

Another Glâneur was active from Boulogne at the same time: she was a 16-gun cutter, commissioned in 1804. She did several cruises under Charles-Robert Cornu de Lassale, Thomas (or Tom?) Souville and Léonard-Louis Merlière (or Merlier). Captured by the British on 30 November 1808 (p.243, n°1742)

It seems difficult to attribute Speedy´s capture; two ships sharing the name might have contributed to inflate the reputation of Glâneur. Cheers! Rama (talk) 14:55, 18 November 2017 (UTC)

New request

Hi Rama, Tarleton (1789 ship) captured the French privateer Guerrier, of Bayonne. Does Demerliac have anything about her? Thanks and regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 03:35, 27 November 2017 (UTC)

Hello,

I am afraid that the only Guerrier I have are both posterior. One was commissioned in 1793, but captured by USS Philadelphia only in 1800.

Cheers! Rama (talk) 05:59, 29 November 2017 (UTC)

Too bad. Thanbks for looking. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 11:48, 29 November 2017 (UTC)

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Request and question

Hi Rama, I have just finished Elliott (1783 ship). Three French privateers captured her in 1807 in the Caribbean. Could you please check if there is anything in Demerliac about any of the three. Because the capture took place in the Caribbean, I am not very hopeful. As for my question: do you know of any way to search in WP using categories? That is, can I ask for all vessels that fall in the categories of Whaling ships AND Slave ships? Thanks and regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 01:27, 2 December 2017 (UTC)

Hello,

• Jalouse: I am sorry to report that I have nothing about her
• Fripon: very probably Friponne, a 5-gun schooner (Demerliac says 18-pounders; carronades, maybe?) commissioned in November 1806 in Guadeloupe (p. 322, n°2754)
• Bécune: Privateer commissioned in February 1807 at Saint-Pierre de la Martinique under Jérôme Boubée; first cruise in February-March, then second in July-August. Recommissioned at Saint-Martin in early 1808 and another cruise ending in capture by HMS Ferret (Demerliac says around February 1809 but our article gives late October 1808). (p.324, n°2769)

Hi Rama, this is excellent. Two out of three in the Caribbean is unusually good. I have added the info to both the Elliott article and the Ferret article.

Regarding your question, this sort of multi-criterion search is difficult to perform with categories, but this is one of the strong points of Wikidata. Any article created on Wikipedia should yield a Wikidata entry, but I do not know how well the information is transcribed over to Wikidata. Note that this is only due to a lack of naval expertise from Wikidata users, not inherent technical difficulties. If we can go to the right people and explain precisely what we would need, they are very capable to writing small programs that will for instance detect that a ship as "Category:slaver" on Wikipedia and add "instance of: slave ship" on the Wikidata entry. When the information is adequately recorded in Wikidata, it would be a matter of a very simple SPARQL query to find these ships (and create an illustrated timeline of the commissionings, a map of shipyards involved, or anything that strikes your fancy). Do let me know if you want to enquire further, this has been itching me for some time.

Cheers! Rama (talk) 22:37, 3 December 2017 (UTC)

This is not a burning issue, but as you may have seen with Elliott, we have a number of vessels that served in more than one role, and sometimes three, or even more roles. Sometimes I would like to be able to find a particular vessel and all I remember is that she was both a convict transport and a whaler, and we now have many of each, but not as many that were both. I also have in the back of my mind doing something that would highlight how often vessels moved from role to role. My ideas are too vague right now, but this is something to think about. Again, thanks and regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 23:19, 3 December 2017 (UTC)

Yes and also, with the caveat that hindsight in 20/20 and care not to mix contemporary concerns with historical records, the link between whaling and slaving, to see whether we can exhibit a statistical evidence of an underlying disregard for higher lifeforms. Cheers! Rama (talk) 07:08, 4 December 2017 (UTC)

That aspect not even occurred to me. What struck me as I prepared more and more of these articles was simply the business or entrepreneurial element. Owners moved vessels from role to role in response to what the opportunities they saw, or their experience. I think what really makes that point is looking at a large number of histories, and I can't yet figure out a WP way of doing that. It would be easy in a book, "50 British Whalers", or "50 British Slave Ships", or "50 British Merchantmen". Perhaps a list article with an introductory paragraph or two might work. Anyway, not a priority yet. Cheers. Acad Ronin (talk) 04:24, 6 December 2017 (UTC)

Demerliac request

Hi Rama, the article about HMS Mercury (1779) mentions that during the Napoleonic Wars she captured a 5-gun schooner named Pugliese. Does Demerliac have anything on her? The London Gazette letter calls her a National, i.e. French navy, vessel, but she is not in Roberts & Winfield. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 04:17, 6 December 2017 (UTC)

Hello,

I have nothing on her. The name suggests an Italian ship requisitioned for patrol or dispatch duty. Cheers! Rama (talk) 21:14, 9 December 2017 (UTC)

Thanks. That would be my guess too. Still, it was worth checking. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 23:41, 9 December 2017 (UTC)

Demerliac request 20Dec

Hi Rama, two new articles.

• Hired armed cutter Flora (1794) - captured the privateer lugger Epervier. Also, the French captured Flora and I wonder what became of her. The Navy does not appear to have taken her in, at least not under the name Flora.
• French corvette Blonde (1781) - Do Demerliac or Roche have anything on her beyond what we already have? Also, the French privateer Modeste captured her in 1796 as Princess (after the RN had captured and sold her). Does Demerliac have anythingon Modeste?

Best wishes for the holiday season and for the New Year. Acad Ronin (talk) 00:46, 21 December 2017 (UTC)

Season's greetings from our naval archives!

• Epervier: 18-ton of load privateer commissioned in Dunkirk in 1793 under Captain Charles Sausted, with 24 men and 6 guns. In 1796, she was under Jacques-François Leclerc with 2 guns and 18 to 26 men. Demerliac states she was captured in March 1796 off Dunkirk, but mistakes her captor for HMS Flora. (n°1644, p.211)
• Flora: HM hired armed cutter Flora herself is not listed in Demerliac
• Blonde: 8-pounder corvette designed by Joseph-Marie-Blaise Coulomb, started in Toulon in May 1780, launched on 5 August 1780, and completed in February 1781. Originally armed with 18 to 20 8-pounder guns. She seems to have had a refit in 1783, when she was not coppered but had 4 4-pounders added to her armament. Captured by the 38-guns HMS Latona and HMS Phaeton (Demerliac, n°151, p.40).

Roche (p.77), gives a launch date of 6 January 1781 and measurements of 400 tonnes, a 38.7-metre length, 9.9-metre beam, and 4.9-metre draught. Ordered on 20 April 1780 and named Blonde on 16 June 1780. In May and June 1782, she was under Chevalier de Sparre, escorting the French 4000-man expeditionnary force of the Invasion of Minorca (1781) from Mahon to Algesiras. On 12 June 1786, she departed Brest with the fleet (escadre d'évolution) under Captain de Rivière, bound for Cherbourg; on 24, she took part in the naval review before Louis XVI. On 27 October 1787 she departed Brest under Captain de Chavagnac, bound for Windward Islands station. In May 1790 she was a Saint Domingue, and arrived at Saint-Pierre et Miquelon on 4 July 1790; that mounth, a munity broke out on board. On 27 October 1790 she departed Saint-Pierre and returned to Brest, where she was put in the reserve. Captured by HMS Latona and Phaeton on 28 November 1793.

• Modeste: (rolls eyes) Oh boy do I know that one! This is Privateer Academy.

Originally a 300-tonne merchantman from Bordeaux arrived at Isle de France in July 1792, she was recommissioned in 1793 as Lafayette, a corvette-strength privateer. She cruised in early 1793 and again from September 1793 to April 1794 under Jean-François Malroux. Another cruise, departure unknown and return in September 1793 under Léonard-Julien Quiroard. She was renamed Ile de France at that time. She was again renamed, to Modeste, and her command went to Louis Levaillant in May 1794, and she cruised until September 1794, with battle against the Dutch; at the time she is said to have carried 40 guns (including swivel guns). In early 1795 she was renamed to Émilie, which might raise your eyebrow since she was then under command of young Robert Surcouf; she was armed with only 4 6-pounders cruising from August 1795; in January 1796, after she had captured Cartier, Surcouf transfered to his prize, leaving Émilie in command of Jean Croizet. (more details at Robert_Surcouf#Cruise_of_Émilie_and_capture_of_Triton). She returned to Mauritius in March 1796 and was renamed Modeste again. In August 1796, armed with 20 guns, she cruised under Claude Deschiens, who died in battle on 10 September 1796; command passed to Jean-Marie Dutertre and she returned to Isle de France in June 1797. Dutertre went on another cruise from late 1797 or early 1798, and sailed until April 1798 (again with 20 guns). Eventually captured by the Royal Navy but the circumstances are murky: either in march 1797 near Visakhapatnam by the 32-gun HMS Fox, or in April 1798 by the 32-gun HMS Cleopatra

• Princess: I am sorry to say I have nothing on this one.

Cheers! Rama (talk) 08:50, 23 December 2017 (UTC)

Many thanks. What a Xmas present. Lots of good info. In reverse order: I will integrate in any new info on Émilie; I will also add links to the Butterworth and possibly other articles. The Roche info on Blonde will build out her career nicely. As for Epervier, who would have thought that a little 18-ton 2 gun (+ 4 swivels) vessel would actually have a history? Cheers. Acad Ronin (talk) 13:52, 23 December 2017 (UTC)

I have implemented the changes. Some questions remain. The Fonds Marine and Roche give different names for Blonde's commander in 1790. Do we have any way of reconciling the differences? Roche (and derivatively Winfield and Roberts) disagree with Demerliac on the launch date and year for Blonde. Also, what is the vol. number for Roche, and is the publication year 2005 as I have it? With respect to Emilie/Modeste, do we know how Deschiens died. If we knew what vessel Modeste was in action with that might add some intersting detail and links. Thanks, and cheers, Acad Ronin (talk) 19:41, 23 December 2017 (UTC)

Hello, and thank you for all your work!

• Blonde 's commander in 1790: I haven't found a match for Blonde in the Fonds Marine, could you give me the name of the file and the page number? In any case, we only know that she was under Chavagnac in late 1787, it would not be suprising at all that he would have been replaced by 1790.

BB4 2. CAMPAGNES. 1790. VOLUME 2. Station de Terre Neuve. p.22. Acad Ronin (talk) 21:23, 24 December 2017 (UTC)

• Launch date of Blonde: I'll double-check in Demerliac, but I would trust Roche more on these matters.
• Volume for Roche: sorry, volume 1 of the 2005 edition. Volume 1 addresses ships from Louis XIII to 1870, and volume 2 is about 1870 onwards.
• Deschiens' death: in [1] it is stated that Deschiens was preying on British whalers when he was attacked by two strongly armed whalers; he managed to repel them but was injured in the battle and died of his wounds the next day.
• Modeste 's opponent: the names of Modeste 's opponents is not given but two prizes taken shortly before: Princess on 7 September and Good Intent on 9.

Oh incidentally, they say that Dutertre assumed command after Deschiens' death and continued the cruise. I'll try and keep on looking for clues.

Cheers! Rama (talk) 09:23, 24 December 2017 (UTC)

OK. I see you have updated Emilie and Blonde. Thanks. I wonder if it was the engagement with Butterworth that killed Deschiens. The information on her engagement with Modeste does not give a precise date. I'll keep an eye out too. I will also look into Good Intent. Cheers, Acad Ronin (talk) 21:17, 24 December 2017 (UTC)

Sorry I have misread Demerliac on Blonde, he gives a launch on 5 January 1781. The date I gave, 5 August 1780, is that of Badine, the entry above. Cheers! Rama (talk) 11:08, 24 December 2017 (UTC)

Demerliac request 28Dec

Hi Rama, I have just finished HMS Earnest. She captured several privateers, but only one, Sacripan, captured in 1811, appears to be French. She also captured an un-named French lugger privateer, but without a name I expect that we really can do nothing. Thanks, and best wishes for the New Year, Acad Ronin (talk) 19:57, 29 December 2017 (UTC)

Hello,

just a quick note to say that I am not forgetting you and will attend to this as soon as I have my books handy. I seize the opportunity to wish you an auspicious, rewarding and stimulating new year. Rama (talk) 08:40, 4 January 2018 (UTC)

No worries. Best wishes for the New Year to you too. In the meantime, let me add another inquiry. In 1798 the French privateer Mercure captured Crescent (1790 ship), probably in the Channel. So we have hope of info. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 14:02, 4 January 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

• Sacripan (1811): privateer with 28 men and 5 guns, captured by HMS Earnest on 7 July 1811 (p.339 of 1800-1815)
• Mercure (1798): probably the 200-ton, 16-gun privateer from Saint-Malo commissioned around November 1797 under Captain Delastelle, with 97 men. She did another cruise later under Jacques Dupuy-Fromy from January 1799, and was captured by the 36-gun HMS Melampus on 26 February (n°2091, p. 246).

Another possible contender would be a Mercure/Mercury/Mercure de Londres, a British merchant corvette from London captured by a privateer, purchased by the French Navy and later sold as a privateer, but she seems to have been a bit heavier and was based in Bordeaux.

Cheers! Rama (talk) 18:51, 10 January 2018 (UTC)

Many thanks. Clearly Demerliac got his info on Sacripan from the English report. The info on Mercure, however, was more productive. I added the info to the articles on Crescent and Melampus, where I discovered that the British had commissioned Mercure as Trompeuse. There was some ambiguity around the origins of Trompeuse and the Demerliac swung the balance. Cheers, Acad Ronin (talk) 00:38, 11 January 2018 (UTC)

Yes, I am even rather surprised to see a Sacripan listed, I would think Sacripant ("rascal") a much more likely spelling. Splendid find on Trompeuse, congratulation! Looking forwards to hearing from your next research! Rama (talk) 08:32, 11 January 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 11Jan

Hi Rama, I am always delighted when we can correct errors, clarify the hitherto obscure, or make connections. Here's the next query. I worked on HMS Orestes (1805) some time ago, but I was just looking at the article for some other purpose and noticed that she had captured three privateers, Lezard, Dorade, and Loup Garou, and that we had never checked if Demerliac had anything to add. They were all captured in the Channel, so again we have a better chance. Cheers, Acad Ronin (talk) 03:40, 12 January 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

• Lézard: lugger commissioned in Saint-Malo as a privateer in December 1807 under Joseph Lesnard, with 54 men and 14 guns. First cruise from December 1807 to April 1808; second under Fançois Godefroy-La Truite (or La Truille) from November 1808 to some time in 1809, with 56 men and 14 guns; third cruise under Captain Le Landais with 70 men and 14 caronnades from October 1809 until her capture by HMS Plover on 6 November 1809 (n°2058, p. 267)
• Dorade: privateer from Saint-Malo commissioned in March 1810. First cruise under Emmanuel-Yves Leroux-Desrochettes with 40 to 43 men, 4 guns and 6 swivel guns. Captured soon after her departure for her first cruise by HMS Orestes in May. (n°2094, p.270)
• Loup-Garou: brig from Dunkirk commissioned in January 1810. First cruise under Joseph Castellan, from Marseille, with 100 men and 16 guns. Probably recommissioned in October 1810 in Dieppe, and captured on 27 October at 48°5'N 8°9'W by HMS Orestes after a 30-minute fight in which she sustained four wounded. (n°1618, p.234)

Note that there was another Loup-Garou from Nantes at the same period, under Captain Chesnau Des Moutiers, but she seems to be unrelated. (n°, p.279)

Cheers! Rama (talk) 19:11, 17 January 2018 (UTC)

Excellent. Many thanks. I have added the info to the Orestes article.Acad Ronin (talk) 20:23, 17 January 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 13Jan

Hi Rama, here's another one. I just finished Princess of Wales (1795 ship). The French privateer Malouin/Malwan captured her in July 1803, but was herself captured shortly thereafter. (Princess of Wales was also recaptured.) If you could check Demerliac that would be great. Thanks. Acad Ronin (talk) 14:15, 15 January 2018 (UTC)

Malouin, schooner commissioned as a privateer in Saint-Malo in June 1803 under Captain Loriot (or Lauriol?) with 61 men and 4 guns. Said to have been captured by the British privateer Spithead (I can only assume that this is a retaliation for the British grotesquely misspelling French names). N°2021, p.264.

Cheers! Rama (talk) 19:27, 17 January 2018 (UTC)

Thanks for this too. Could you please check for the period before the Peace of Amiens. She apparently had one or two more successful cruises during the French Revolutionary Wars. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 20:25, 17 January 2018 (UTC)

I am afraid I have given all there is in Demerliac's entry about Malouin. Maybe an eponymous ship? I'll check Rama (talk) 21:09, 17 January 2018 (UTC)

Damn. Too bad about that. I will have to dig more. Thanks for checking. Acad Ronin (talk) 21:17, 17 January 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 22Jan

Hi Rama, does Demerliac have anything on a French privateer named Malvina, out of Nantes, of 14 guns and 60 men, that HMS Guerriere captured in 1808? It is a rare name and I wonder if it was a former slave trader that a French privateer captured in 1804. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 21:25, 22 January 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

I do have a mention of her, but quite sparse: Malvina, privateer brig commissioned in Nantes around 1807, with 60 men and 14 guns, captured by HMS Guerriere on 16 February 1808. (p.278, n°2193)

Cheers! Rama (talk) 19:45, 24 January 2018 (UTC)

Thanks for looking. Apparently this is one of those cases where Demerliac only had the London Gazette as his source. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 21:16, 24 January 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 29Jan

Hi Rama: I have just finished HMS Busy (1797). She captured only one French privateer, Dragon. Does Demerliac know anything extra about her? Thanks. Acad Ronin (talk) 01:36, 30 January 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

The only thing known about Dragon is that she was under Charles Liard and was commissioned in July 1798. (n°1738, p.218)

Cheers! Rama (talk) 19:35, 1 February 2018 (UTC)

Thanks. It adds a fact, and gives me an excuse to list Demerliac among the references. Acad Ronin (talk) 19:57, 1 February 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 1Feb

Hi Rama, I just finished Sylph (1791 ship). The privateer Buonaparte captured her in 1798 in the North Atlantic about 500 miles west of Ireland. I've looked at a couple of Buonapartes already mentioned in WP but so far none seem good fits. Thanks, and regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 16:26, 1 February 2018 (UTC)

Hmmm, hard to say, but seeing the prize, I'd wager she was a fairly substantial unit. I'd propose:

• Bonaparte, privateer frigate commissioned in Bordeaux en October 1797 under a Captain Lamotte with 250 men and 32 guns. Demerliac states that might be the Bonaparte captured by USS Merrimack in 1799, but this one is stated to have been a schooner so I find it unlikely. (n°2362, p.269)
• A 75-ton brig from Bayonne, commissioned in June 1797 under Louis Boulanger with 10-13 officers and 62-67 men, and 14 guns (2435, p.275)

the other ones active at the same time were small crafts.

Cheers! Rama (talk) 19:52, 1 February 2018 (UTC)

Thanks. Good info and I have added it. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 20:03, 1 February 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 14Feb

Hi Rama, while looking for something else I came across a French vessel that looked interesting. In the article Égyptienne (ship), the ship is Egyptian, launched 1788, captured in 1799/1800, and of 563 tons (bm) and 22 guns. She doesn't fit any of our existing vessels by that or similar names so I was wondering if Demerliac had anything. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 00:45, 15 February 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

I fear that she is listed in the 1774 à 1792 volume, which I do not have handy at the moment, but I will probably be able to check next week. Stay tuned! Rama (talk) 19:44, 16 February 2018 (UTC)

Hello, nothing in 1774 à 1792. Egyptian became a fashionable name after Bonaparte's invasion of Egypt, she might have been launched under another name. I am rather surprised that she would not be listed anywhere, given her size. I'll check the rest in the next days. Cheers! Rama (talk) 21:30, 24 February 2018 (UTC)

Thanks for looking. After the British victory there several British vessels also received the name so, as you say, she may have been renamed to that. Acad Ronin (talk) 21:35, 24 February 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 22 Feb

Hi Rama, I just finished British Tar (1804 ship). A French squadron captured her in 1806. Unfortunately Google searches have not turned up anything about who her captors were. Is there anything in your French sources? Thanks, and regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 00:04, 23 February 2018 (UTC)

Hi Rama, I just added some stuff to HMS Curlew (1803). On her first commercial voyage as Leander after the Navy sold her in 1810, the French privateer Speculateur, of Saint-Malo, captured her. Does Demerliac know anything about Speculateur? Thanks, Acad Ronin (talk) 04:00, 23 February 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

I am sorry to say I came back empty-handed as far as British Tar is concerned. Spéculateur was a 50-ton lugger from Saint-Malo, commissioned in October 1809 under Alexandre-William Black, with 64 men and 6 guns. She was under his command until April 1810, She performed a second cruise from September 1810 to February 1811 under Pierre-Claude Martin, with 63 men and 4 guns. Then a 3rd from November 1811 to April 1812 under Pierre Cormier, with 69 men and 6 guns. 4th cruise from November 1813 to December 1813 under Guillaume-Marie Angenard, with 72 to 80 men (including 42 Portuguese) and 14 to 16 6-pounder carronades; on either 21 November or 5 December 1813, she was captured in the Channel by HMS Reindeer; Angenard was gravely wounded but survived his injuries (n°2086, p.270).

Cheers! Rama (talk) 17:15, 25 February 2018 (UTC)

Hi Rama, Thanks for this. I am not surprised that you didn't find anything on British Tar. It was a long shot. The info on Speculateur is great. There is enough there for a short article with at least two links, so not an orphan. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 18:51, 25 February 2018 (UTC)

I am working up the article and found this: https://threedecks.org/index.php?display_type=show_ship&id=23163 It generally doesn't contradict Demerliac but does expand him. Does he have any more, perhaps under an earlier identity? Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 19:54, 25 February 2018 (UTC)

See:Speculateur (1806 ship), Acad Ronin (talk) 22:41, 25 February 2018 (UTC)

Amazing what you can find on such small units. Also, I was not aware of the resources you have found here, but I will keep them in mind in the future for such researches, many thanks! Rama (talk) 09:02, 26 February 2018 (UTC)

Need your help urgently...

@Rama: if you are so inclined. A small ship article I wrote has been nominated for deletion Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Irlam (1813 ship) by someone who at least once in the past has done the same thing, but gave up. If you agree that even minor, but well-documented ship articles have value you will comment to that effect on the page. Thanks, Acad Ronin (talk) 15:01, 1 March 2018 (UTC)

I have chipped in. Normally requesting votes is frowned upon (as your interlocutor has no doubt mentioned at length), but these impediments to your very valuable work should stop. Rama (talk) 17:32, 1 March 2018 (UTC)

I have been roundly admonished and have promised all and sundry to change my ways. The issue has never come up before (Afds are rare in my personal experience and I never thought of canvassing before.) I didn't realize that canvassing people who cared about the topic was against policy. Cheers, Acad Ronin (talk) 18:12, 1 March 2018 (UTC)

It's all a matter of balance and spirit of the rules, and I really think that Wikipedia suffers more from the misconception of what "notability" entails, than in your request here. Keep heart and up the good work! Rama (talk) 18:24, 1 March 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 27 February

Hi Rama, here are two more:

• Perseverance (1797 ship) - A French privateer by the name of Mars captured her but lost her. I couldn't find anything much on the French site by Salien. I hope Demerliac has more.
• HMS Cormorant captured the French sloop/cutter Temeraire. She was apparently a French naval vessel. My only sources on French warships start with 1786, and the capture took place in 1782. Again, I hope Demerliac has something.

Thanks and regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 03:50, 28 February 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

• Mars: I have two candidates:
  • a privateer from Guadeloupe so named, but nothing is known apart from her being active from May to December 1800. (n°2740, p.321)
  • More likely, one of your babies: Mars (one of these occasions where our points connect)

Cool. I will check further into this, obviously. Acad Ronin (talk) 18:09, 1 March 2018 (UTC)

The timing and location fit so I have made links in all directions. Acad Ronin (talk) 19:08, 1 March 2018 (UTC)

Thank you very much! Rama (talk) 20:15, 1 March 2018 (UTC)

• Téméraire: I have started French cutter Téméraire (1780) for the occasion.

Wonderful. I will link Cormorant to it.Acad Ronin (talk) 18:09, 1 March 2018 (UTC)

I have made the link and have added in some material. Normally people leave warships alone, but building out the article and adding refs can't hurt. Do we know anything about her recapture? I have nothing in my (limited) resources.Acad Ronin (talk) 18:51, 1 March 2018 (UTC)

Roche is very succinct on the matter, but Demerliac specifies that she was recaptured "in unclear circumstances"; he sometimes tends to label as unknown things that are unknown to him, so I hesitate to report his comment as such, but I expect it to be a tough nut to break. Cheers! Rama (talk) 20:15, 1 March 2018 (UTC)

Too bad. But I am an eventualist and will hope. Thanks for looking.Acad Ronin (talk) 20:28, 1 March 2018 (UTC)

Cheers! Rama (talk) 18:01, 1 March 2018 (UTC)

Back to substance: Demerliac request 3Mar

Hi Rama, the Irlam imbroglio got me on a new track and I ended up doing a bit of work on a couple of other vessels her owners owned. I have just finished Barton (1794 ship). In May 1806 Barton apparently engaged in an inconclusive engagement with the French privateer Fairey. Does Demerliac have anything on Fairey, or possibly the French version of that name? Thanks for looking, Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 02:20, 4 March 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

I've gone through the whole "F" section but nothing seems to match. I suspect Fairey might be a creative spelling for Furet or Furie, but no ship of that name matches. (Furet was active at the same period and has a similar size, but was in Cadiz).

Cheers! Rama (talk) 10:35, 4 March 2018 (UTC)

Hi Rama, thanks for looking. I had suspected that the name wasn't Fairey. There is an even more interesting case where I suspect we have little or no hope of finding anything, though the names of the American vessels may provide a thread. In Barton (1801 ship) I now mention an incident in 1803/4 in which a French privateer captured two American vessels trading with Haiti during the Haitian Revolution in defiance of a French embargo. The US politics involved are fascinating with the internal conflict between free traders (mostly from New England), and the people backing France (mostly Southerners) in the hope that the Black republic and its example would be suppressed. The trade was highly lucrative but President Jefferson was trying to maintain US neutrality. One of the American captains gave the privateer's name as "Ferbriskey", and her captain's name as "Antwan" (Antoine?). The story is so cool I may try and do something with it; there is a great deal of information from the American side. Google "Hopewell Rockland privateer" and you will see the info. I am still searching to see if I can find a less garbled name for the privateer. Cheers, Acad Ronin (talk) 12:18, 4 March 2018 (UTC)

This certainly warrants a good look. Frankly, I am rather hopeful, our mystery privateer has the strength of a naval corvette, ships of this size are usually well documented, we just need to find the correct name. I'll keep you posted. Cheers! Rama (talk) 16:43, 4 March 2018 (UTC)

Nomination of Minolta Maxxum 9000 for deletion

A discussion is taking place as to whether the article Minolta Maxxum 9000 is suitable for inclusion in Wikipedia according to Wikipedia's policies and guidelines or whether it should be deleted.

The article will be discussed at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Minolta Maxxum 9000 until a consensus is reached, and anyone is welcome to contribute to the discussion. The nomination will explain the policies and guidelines which are of concern. The discussion focuses on high-quality evidence and our policies and guidelines.

Users may edit the article during the discussion, including to improve the article to address concerns raised in the discussion. However, do not remove the article-for-deletion notice from the top of the article. Edison (talk) 23:15, 14 March 2018 (UTC)

Demerlia request 10 March

Hi Rama: One point of interest and two requests.

• Young Nicholas (1798 ship) - I was able to link her to our old friend Blonde (1803 ship). Another French privateer captured Young Nicholas in 1804, but there are no clues as to which vessel it was.
• HMS Porcupine (1777) - I have been working on this and there are two French privateers we may be able to find something on: Insolent and Coureur.
• Bellona (1782 ship) - does Demerliac know anything about Invincible Napoleon, which captured Bellona and burnt her?

Thanks for the help. Regards,Acad Ronin (talk) 01:53, 11 March 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

• Young Nicholas: I have looked whether she was listed as a prize, but to no avail
• Insolent: there is a ship from Bordeaux named Insolent or Insolente that Demerliac states might have been launched around June 1796, but the date is tentative; she stated to "often be described as a brig, but listed as a corvette". She have 120 men an 14 to 18 6-pounders. She was destroyed by the British in June 1800 at Port-Narvalo. (n°468, p.81)
• Coureur: 85-tonne privateer commissioned in Saint-Malo in 1795 under François Galais with 67 to 80 men and 10 guns. Captured by HMS Porcupine in March 1796. (n°2055, p.243)
• Invincible Napoléon: Three-masted 311-tonne privateer commissioned in Bayonne in Spring 1804 under Martin Jorlis. Another cruise in 1807 under Captain Garat. From November 1809 to March 1810, under François Dermit, with 143 men and 14 guns. Later in 1810, another cruise under Martin Jorlis again, with 17 officers, 84 to 88 men, and 17 guns (12 8-pounders, 2 7-pounders (?) and 3 6-pounders). In January 1811, she took the slightly less ridiculous name of Invicible, and did several cruises under Jorlis between February 1811 and April 1813, with 86 men, several or whom American, and 16 guns (4 6-pounders and 12 18-pounder howitzers, i.e. carronades). On 17 April 1813, she was captured off Spain by HMS Mutine and taken to Oporto. Circa May 1813, captured by the Americans. (n°2361, p.292)

Cheers! Rama (talk) 19:50, 14 March 2018 (UTC)

Hi Rama, many thanks for this. Lots of good info that I will get to work on tonight. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 20:34, 14 March 2018 (UTC)

Hi Rama, you might want to look at Invincible Napoleon (1804 ship). Turns out that she had a relatively long life as a privateer, though not all that successful. Then the Royal Navy and American privateers captured her five times in little more than a year. Many thanks for the lead. Acad Ronin (talk) 18:45, 15 March 2018 (UTC)

Impressive work on Invincible Napoléon, congratulations! Rama (talk) 16:41, 16 March 2018 (UTC)

Thanks. Also, thanks for catching Acteon; I don't know how I missed her. She is something I should look at as she was a French vessel that Egyptienne captured, and ties in with several other vessels I have worked on re the capture of Île Bourbon and Île de France. Would provide us with an opportunity to fit more pieces of the puzzle together. Cheers, Acad Ronin (talk) 17:13, 16 March 2018 (UTC)

Oh, it's a small world! Rama (talk) 19:20, 16 March 2018 (UTC)

HMS Acteon is done. Acad Ronin (talk) 03:10, 17 March 2018 (UTC)

Amazing material, many thanks! I'll try and see if I can provide something from Roche. Cheers! Rama (talk) 08:13, 17 March 2018 (UTC)

I have added the few details that I could gather from Roche; he says that Actéon was commissioned in the Royal Navy as HMS Mauritien, but it seems to be some sort of mixup as this does not seem to be the case. Cheers! Rama (talk) 10:49, 18 March 2018 (UTC)

Thanks. The date of her capture looked fishy and I did some checking. Roche actually says 27 September, not November. But the Fonds Marine say 3 October, which may simply reflect an adjustment for the RN's using a midday to midday day. As for Mauritien, that is quite peculier. I can find no vessel of that name. The only HMS Mauritius was a 1940 cruiser, so it wasn't a case of Roche conflating two captures. I just don't see any simple explanation. In any case, thanks for the Roche info on her brief early career. Once again, WP now has the most comprehensive (and correct) story. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 11:52, 18 March 2018 (UTC)

Always a pleasure, I look forwards to our next mystery! Cheers! Rama (talk) 12:14, 18 March 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 21 Mar

Hi Rama, a minor one. In Peggy I now mention a privateer Malvina. Does Demerliac have anything about her, or her prize? Thanks, Acad Ronin (talk) 14:08, 21 March 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

• Malvina: privateer from Nantes commissioned circa 1807, with 60 men and 14 guns, captured by HMS Guerriere (nothing more than what you already had, I am afraide). N° 2193, p.278.

Nothing on Juliana, unfortunately. Cheers! Rama (talk) 07:08, 22 March 2018 (UTC)

Thanks for looking. It is clear that one of Demerliac's main sources for our period was the London Gazette. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 14:27, 22 March 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request Mar23

Hi Rama, I have just discovered that Tarleton (1789 ship), which the French captured in 1797, returned to British hands c. 1803, probably by purchase during the Peace of Amiens. Is there anything about who captured her, or her career in French hands? Given that she was a slaver/merchantman I doubt that there is anything, but one may always hope. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 11:33, 23 March 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

I have a Tarleton, but she is an entirely different ship, sorry. Rama (talk) 18:17, 26 March 2018 (UTC)

French sources and Demerliac request Mar25

Hi Rama, I have just edited three articles: Trio (1801 ship), Lord Nelson (1798 ship), and Lord Nelson (1800 ship). L'Hermite's squadron captured the first two off the coast of Africa in January 1806 and I was wondering if they are mentioned in French sources. A French privateer, Prince of Peace, captured the third in the Caribbean in May 1806. I was hoping that Demerliac might have something on her. Thanks for your help, Acad Ronin (talk) 02:52, 26 March 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

I have nothing on a Prince of Peace, and I am struggling to think of a French phrase that could be deformed into this (aside from all the Prince/Princess that I have checked).

I have a Lord Nelson, though: 818-ton British merchantman built in 1799 captured on 14 August 1803 (or 1804) by Bellone, at 48°N - 16°W, pierced for 50 guns and carrying 20 18-pounders and 6 12-pounders. 102 men. After her captured, manned by a 43-man prize crew (with one officer). Repulsed two attacks by British privateers before being captured by 4 British warships let by HMS Tonnant on 25 August 1804 (1804 ?) at 46°N - 12°N Lost off Diepper in February 1807. (n° 2285, p.286).

I am not found anything in my other sources. Cheers! Rama (talk) 18:37, 26 March 2018 (UTC)

Ah it is the only Lord Nelson that we had but that you did not link her, and this brings no new information, better luck next time I hope. Cheers! Rama (talk) 18:41, 26 March 2018 (UTC)

Hi Rama, thanks for looking. I didn't think to link to the East Indiaman Lord Nelson because I knew she was irrelevant, and didn't think to realize that she might be in Demerliac. I did some more digging and now suspect that Prince of Peace was probably a Spanish privateer Principe de Paz. The Royal Navy captured two, one in 1797 and one in 1805, both too early to be my Principe de Paz, but that doesn't mean that there wasn't another, later one that the Royal Navy never captured. Anyway, thanks again for your efforts. Acad Ronin (talk) 22:47, 26 March 2018 (UTC)

Ah, yes, Principe de Paz would be a name alluding for Jesus Christ, makes sense for a Spanish ship. Cheers! Rama (talk) 07:21, 27 March 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 27 Mar

Hi Rama, Let's see if we can have more luck with Elizabeth (1786 ship). Our old friend Grande Decide captured her in 1804, and I was able to get Grande Decide's info from previous articles. Then Centaur recaptured Elizabeth. So far, no problems. Around Dec 1809 Aimable Josephine captured Elizabeth. So, who was Aimable Josephine? Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 17:31, 27 March 2018 (UTC)

I have a 173-ton privateer commissioned in January 1810 in Nantes, built by the Crucy Brothers between 1808 and February 1809. She displaced 330 tons, was 30.86 metre long (24.04 at the keel), 7.20m beam and 3.25m draught, pierced for 14. She departed Nantes in January 1810 under Captain Veillon, with 108 men and 12 guns (4 6-pounders and 8 12-pounder carronades. HMS Narcissus captured her either on 6 February 1810 or on 5 April (n°2198, p.278)

Cheers! Rama (talk) 19:12, 28 March 2018 (UTC)

Ha. Brilliant. That's enough for a small article that won't be an orphan. Perhaps if I pull on a few of the threads there I can find even more, but even if I don't it's all part of piecing together the big puzzle. Many thanks, Acad Ronin (talk) 20:44, 28 March 2018 (UTC)

Aimable Joséphine (1809 ship). I couldn't find out more than you had. Aimable Joséphine turns out to be an extremely rare name. The only other one I found was a French merchantman that operated in the pacific in the early 1830s. Her captain got involved in some tribal wars in Fiji with the result that some Fijians ate him and his officers in 1834. (Jules Verne also gets involved in this story.) What I really need is a French equivalent of Lloyd's Register to see if the names are a coincidence, or if the two vessels are one and the same. Our Aimable Joséphine was brand new when she was captured and sold. I could easily see her returning to French ownership after 1815 and ending up trading in the Pacific. I just can't prove or disprove the possibility. Still, we have a legitimate article for now. Many thanks, Acad Ronin (talk) 03:13, 29 March 2018 (UTC)

Magnificient, as always. The was another Aimable Joséphine earlier, around 1803, but indeed an uncommon name. If I ever run into something akin to Lloyd's Register, I would of course tell you immediately. Cheers! Rama (talk) 07:16, 29 March 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 9 April

Hi Rama, I was just tidying up HMS Duchess of York and noticed that I mentioned the hired armed cutter by that name having captured two French schooner privateers, Dorade and Honfleur. I couldn't find anything in the London Gazette about these two privateers and wondered if Demerliac had anythign. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 22:50, 9 April 2018 (UTC)

Hello, I am afraid I have nothing on either. Better luck next time, surely. Cheers! Rama (talk) 16:31, 12 April 2018 (UTC)

Too bad. Thanks for looking. Acad Ronin (talk) 17:45, 12 April 2018 (UTC)

FYI

Hi Rama, I have finally separated Entreprenant (1807) and Entreprenant (1808), and linked them with a new article, Margaret (1804 ship). Does Demerliac have anything that I can add to any of these three? Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 12:03, 15 April 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

• Entreprenant (1807): Demerliac describes her as a "felucca or patmar", built by Grisard and Bouvet, and costing 96138 francs. 14.6 metres at the keel. One 12-pounder carronnade on a swivel mount at the bow. (n°1102, p.137)
• Margaret (1804 ship): 10-gun brig of the East India Company, captured brand new. Arrived at Port-Napoléon in April 1808. Ultimate fate blurry, possibly sold to commerce in November 1808. 270 tonnes, 2 9-pounder guns and 8 12-pounder carronnades. (n°937, p.121)
• Entreprenant (1808): 12-gun brig built by Grisard upon instructions of Bouvet at Port-Napoléon. Refitted in March-May 1808 at Isle de France. 160 tonnes, 300 tonnes fully loaded, 26.63 metres (25.98 at the keel), beam 8.12 metres, 3.56m to 4.06m draught. 88 to 110 en, 12 12-pounder guns, 6 month worth of supplies. (n°891, p.116)

Cheers! Rama (talk) 18:20, 17 April 2018 (UTC)

Lovely. More pieces fitting together. Many thanks. Acad Ronin (talk)

Done. Acad Ronin (talk) 20:31, 17 April 2018 (UTC)

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Demerliac request 21Apr

Hi Rama: Here are two more: Olive (1802 ship) and French ship Généreux (1810). Both were captured ships that became French naval ships so Demerliac or Roche might have something, though Olive was only in service for a few months. Thanks for checking, Acad Ronin (talk) 02:50, 22 April 2018 (UTC)

Hello!

• Olive: apart from what you have already, Demerliac states that displaced 600 tons, weighted 900 tons fully loaded, and speculates that she might have originally been a merchantman from Cadix. I strongly suspect that we are conflating different ships here. (n°1263, p.153)
• Généreux: Portuguese merchantman built in teck, iron pegs and coppered hull. Taken by Entreprenant off Singapore on 19 November 1809. Refitted in Ile de France from September to October 1810; rebuilt in Rochefort from June 1813 to September 1814; refitted in October-November 1818 in Rochefort; refitted again in Rochefort from August to November 1820; refit in Brest in November 1827, in March 1832, and again in September 1833. Struck in Brest in August 1838. 559 ton displacement, 900 tons fully loaded; 37.35 metres long, beam 9.74m, draft 4.90m. Complement on 35, 80 or 130 men depending on circumstances; 18 12-pounders originally, changed to 6 8-pounders and 6 4-pounders in 1812; changed again to 20 8-pounders in 1814. 8 month autonomy. (n°1272, p. 154)

Cheers! Rama (talk) 21:26, 22 April 2018 (UTC)

Hi Rama, thanks for getting back to me so fast. Winfield and Roberts mention the possible Spanish origin for Olive too, but I suspect that they are getting the info from Demerliac. I agree that there is probably a conflation that I have chosen to ignore as I have no other info that would contradict the story I have written, and the pieces I have fit together well. Looks like Demerliac is adding a lot of info on refits for Généreux that I will incorporate. However, what do you mean by "8 month autonomy"? Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 21:53, 22 April 2018 (UTC)

I meant 8 months worth of water and food rations. Cheers! Rama (talk) 07:21, 23 April 2018 (UTC)

Thanks. Acad Ronin (talk) 21:16, 24 April 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 22 May

Hi Rama: I have just finished Dublin (1784 EIC ship). In March 1799 she recaptured a vessel that the French privateer Heureux captured in the Indian Ocean/Bay of Bengal. Could this Heureux be one of Duterte's privateers, or is it another one. Does Demerliac have anything? Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 17:01, 27 May 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

I have a Heureux commissioned at Ile de France in July 1798 for a July-April cruise under Jean-Marie Dutertre (n°2925, p.310), but no further details, sadly.

Cheers! Rama (talk) 20:33, 28 May 2018 (UTC)

Thanks Rama. The info fits well enough for now and I have added it to the Dublin, Duterte, and Sollimany articles. Cheers, Acad Ronin (talk) 20:49, 28 May 2018 (UTC)

Splendid, many thanks to you! Rama (talk) 21:08, 28 May 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac requests 27 October

Hi Rama, I have three ship articles that mention French privateers. Sarah (1800 ship) was captured by Revenge. HMS Derwent (1807) captured three French privateers: Rafleur, Edouard, and Diligent. Enterprize (1803 ship): Vengence captured John, which Enterprize recaptured. Does Demerliac have anything? Thanks and regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 23:48, 27 October 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

• Revenge: nothing under that name, which is unsurprising, I wager it is a translatation from Revanche; I believe two candidates could fit the description:
  • Revanche (n°1569, p.230): privateer cutter commissioned in Dunkirk in December 1806, and recommissioned in August 1808 in Antwerp. Cruise from December 1806 to November 1807 under Jean-Baptiste Corenwynder; from Augst 1808 to June 1810 under Jean Vanvlième-Crépin; last mentioned in June 1810, her fate is not known.
  • Revanche (n°2084, p.269): 112-ton privateer brig from Saint-Malo, commissioned in August 1809 under Etienne-Pierre Laurent, with 74 men and 6 guns. Captured by the British in October 1809.

Hi Rama, my best guess is that this is the relevant one and that is what I hav eput in the article. Thanks, Acad Ronin (talk) 20:06, 30 October 2018 (UTC)

• Rafleur (n°1970, p.260): privateer commissioned in Granville circa June 1811 with 85 men and 2 guns. Captured by HMS Derwent
• Édouard (n°2107, p.271): 50-ton privateer from Saint-Malo commissioned in November 1811 (22.09 metre long, 19.81 at the keel, 4.22m beam and 1.95 m draft) Under Jean Longrais with 37 men and 6 one-pounders from November 1811 to Paril 1812; under Jean-François Dilarbourg (or Dibarboure?) with 22 men and 6 one-poundrs from August 1812 to February 1813. Captured by HMS Derwent on 7 February 1812.
• Diligent: probably the Diligent, ex-Dame Ernouf, ex-Barbara (n°2757, p.323): British privateer brig Barbara, 185 tons, captured on 15 September 1807, recommissioned in Guadeloupe in late 1807, and in Nantes in April 1809. Armed with 10 guns but 4 removed in 1808 to lighten her and increase her speed. Under Alexis Grassin, base in Lorient and later in Nanter, from August 1808 to July 1809, with 6 guns. From June 1811 to December 1812, operated from Nantes under Alexis Grassin with 97 to 120 men and 18 guns (2 12-pounders and 16 24-pounder carronades). Last mentioned in Saint-Nazaire in December 1812.
• Vengence (n°2711, p.318): privateer commissioned at Saint-Domingue in March 1804 (nothing more)

Cheers! Rama (talk) 18:54, 29 October 2018 (UTC)

Incidentally, the museum of Dieppe has sent me a wealth of information regarding Adolphe, most notably an announcement for an auction to sell the load of Triton, a Swedish merchantman from Uhliabord, under Captain Falke Petersson, which was on a journey from St-Uber to Stockolm when she was captured by Adolphe and Eglé on 30 April 1806.

The model on display at Dieppe was built before 1806, so she very likely is Adolphe (1803 privateer lugger). The museum seems to also have her plans.

Cheers! Rama (talk) 19:01, 29 October 2018 (UTC)

Great info. I don't know which Revanche is the culprit. Perhaps I can find some other info that might help us sort it out. All the rest will shortly find itself into the articles. As for the stuff from Dieppe, I would welcome it all: photo, plans, and the announcement. It would all help the article. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 19:48, 29 October 2018 (UTC)

I am going to have to work on Dame Ernouf. If you look at the third Dame Ernouf, it looks like Demerliac got her origins wrong. The work goes on.Acad Ronin (talk) 20:23, 29 October 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 1 November

Hi Rama, I have just finished HMS Decoy (1810). she participated in the capture of two small French privateers: Infatigable and Bon Genie in the Channel. does Demerliac have anything? Thanks, Acad Ronin (talk) 01:58, 2 November 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

• Infatigable: nothing on her
• Bon Génie: 20-metre privateer from Boulogne, commissioned in September 1810. First cruise from September 1810 to November 1810 under Pierre-Antoine Hénin with 84 men and 16 guns. Two cruises from November 1810 to May 1811, and from September 1811 to March 1812, under Louis Delpierre. From September 1813, under a Captain Picquendaire. (N°1805, p.248.)

Cheers! Rama (talk) 08:54, 6 November 2018 (UTC)

Thanks. One out of two is not bad.Acad Ronin (talk) 12:53, 6 November 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 3 November

Hi Rama, does our friend have anything on Beau Mareilles (see:HMS Defender (1809))? Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 19:42, 3 November 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

I'm not forgetting, I'll get right back to you as soon as I have the books handy. Cheers! Rama (talk) 21:25, 3 November 2018 (UTC)

No worries. I just put the requests up as I generate them so that they not lying on my desk on random scraps of paper. I figure you will get to them when you are able to. Cheers, Acad Ronin (talk) 21:41, 3 November 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

This is Bon Marcel (N°1786, p.247), which the British misread as Beau Marseille or Bonne Marseille. Lugger commissioned at Boulogne in 1809, 70 tons of load, 120 ton displacement, 20.4 metre long (18.0 at the keel), 5.25 m beam and 2.44 m draft.

From some point in 1809 to December 1809, cruise under Denis-Guillaume La Salle with 60 men and 16 guns totaling a 21-pound broadside. Captured by HMS Royalist.

Her plans were taken by the British and published in David Lyon's Sailing Navy List at page 284.

Cheers! Rama (talk) 09:19, 6 November 2018 (UTC)

Great catch. I would never have looked for Beau Marseille under Bon Marcel. Leads me to suspect that often information was being passed verbally, not in writing. Acad Ronin (talk) 12:55, 6 November 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 5 November

Hi Rama, I just finished Auguste (ship). There I have listed five vessels. I made two articles using Demerliac info you provided some time ago; these are vessels #3 and #5. Does Demerliac have anything on vessels #2 and #4? Thanks & regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 21:43, 5 November 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

• Auguste (1800): Schooner commissioned in February 1800 with 50 men and 10 guns. N°2738, p. 321
• Auguste (1809): privateer barge (colour me amazed) of 47 tons of load commissioned in March 1808. First cruise form March 1808 to no later than April 1808 under Feillet with 20 men and 2 guns. Another cruise in February 1809 under Huon, with 24 men and 2 guns, ending in capture by HMS Helena. N°2064, p. 268

Cheers! Rama (talk) 09:28, 6 November 2018 (UTC)

A barge? If I ever do HMS Helena I will have to investigate this further. Thanks, Acad Ronin (talk) 12:56, 6 November 2018 (UTC)

I would be very curious to see what you can unearth about this, it is indeed a very curious occurrence. Rama (talk) 13:09, 6 November 2018 (UTC)

I looked at the reports in the London Gazette and Lloyd's List and they don't remark on it. She was captured in English coastal waters so it is not a case of trying to capture British vessels sailing too close to the French coast. It is possible that her owners thought that she might be able to get close to her prey precisely because she didn't look threatening. I suspect that we will never know. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 14:39, 6 November 2018 (UTC)

maybe simply a flat-bottomed ship that Demerliac qualifies in a bit of a curious fashion... a matter for idle speculation unless more details emerge. Thank you for your research! Rama (talk) 14:46, 6 November 2018 (UTC)

Demerliac request 30 October

Hi Rama, I have just added to HMS Hobart (1794). She was the French privateer Revanche that the British captured in the Indonesian archipelago. It happened far away but it might still be worth checking to see if Demerliac has anything. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 00:13, 31 October 2018 (UTC)

Hello,

Cerf, later Revanche (n° 2894, p. 308 of 1792-1799): one of these 350-ton three-masted merchantmen from Bordeaux that could double as privateering corvettes when armed en course. Commissioned in July 1793 in Ile de France (now Mauritius). First cruise from July 1793 to February 1794 under Claude Dubois, with 300 men and 30 guns. From May 1794 , second cruise under Dubois with 121 to 300 men, and 18, 28 or 30 guns. Demerliac is uncertain as to whether her capture occurred on 25 August or on 21 October, I wonder with what he has this mixed up, and why.

Cheers! Rama (talk) 19:06, 6 November 2018 (UTC)

Wow, I didn't expect this on a vessel so far from the Channel. It has given me a good thread to pull on. As for the confusion of dates, it is quite understandable. English records say October, but French reports say August. I will check for some more English reports; they may simply reflect poor record keeping, or when she arrived at a British port. The French source I found was: [2], pp.489-490. There is a lot there on her cruises from Mauritius and I will work my way through that (slowly), as my French is limited. I haven't yet checked Gallois or Cunat, but there may well be something there too. Regards, Acad Ronin (talk) 01:03, 7 November 2018 (UTC)

I'll run a search on these and let you know (I have text versions of these books in which I can perform simple searches using grep). Cheers! Rama (talk) 05:47, 7 November 2018 (UTC)