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Location Description Citadel
Craft type Gunvessel
Date built 1796
Date of loss 7 Jul 1801
Manner of loss Wrecked
Outcome Refloated
Construction Wood
Propulsion Sail
Nationality United Kingdom
Departure port Plymouth
Destination port Stonehouse Pool
Armament 3 x cannon
Built Purchased
Master Scott, Lieut. James
Owners Royal Navy

Augustus

Unregistered vessel

Wrecked 7 July 1801

Larn

‘Based at Plymouth, this small gun vessel weighed anchor from the Cattewater during the afternoon and made sail for Stonehouse Pool. At 8 p.m. when close to the Hoe, she missed stays and found herself being driven down towards the shore. She immediately anchored, but found she was still driving, her cable stoppers parting as she did so. She struck the rocks at the western end of the Hoe, breaking off her rudder and her counter giving way, causing her to flood. Boats were hoisted out, one of which was sent to the Barbican for assistance. In the meantime, her three guns, shot and stores were heaved overboard a nd pumping commenced. A dockyard launch arrived with help, also boats from nearby ships. They attempted to haul her off, but failed and during the night she started to break up, her crew being taken off. The following day dockyard craft did successfully refloat her, towing her back to the Cattewater, where she was declared a total wreck.’

 

This morning the Augustus, gun vessel, lying in Catwater, got under weigh for Cawsand Bay, and in turning into the Sound, missed stays, and went on shore east of the two gun batteries under the lower fort of the Citadel and though every assistance was given by Capt Hawker and the boats of the Fisgard etc., and casks ready to buoy her, she went to pieces in the night, the crew and part of her stores are saved.

 

Naval Chronicles 1801 p80

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References

Larn R. & Larn B., 1995, Shipwreck Index of the British Isles Vol. 1, Lloyds Register of Shipping, ISBN 0 900528 88 5, #281
Hepper D.,1994, British Warship Losses in the Age of Sail, Jean Boudriot Publications, ISBN 0948864303, p99
Colledge J., 1969, Ships of the Royal Navy Vols 1 & 2, David and Charles, ISBN 71534353X, p58
Lyon D., 1993, The Sailing Navy List,Conway Maritime Press, ISBN 0 85177 864 X, p260
Gosset W.P., 1986, The Lost Ships of the Royal Navy 1793-1900, Mansell Publishing Ltd, ISBN 0720118166, p33

The Naval Chronicle v.6 (1801) pp 79-80