HMS Sheldrake (1806) - Prize-taking

Prize-taking

In On 19 January 1809, Sheldrake captured a French vessel laden with wheat for the French army in Spain. Thicknesse put a prize crew aboard consisting of Sheldrake's master, Mr. William Hubbard, a midshipman and ten crew men. He also retained two of her French crew on board. Thickness instructed Hubbard to follow Sheldrake to Guernsey, which was some 15 leagues away. During the night the prize sprang a leak and sank suddenly when her cargo of wheat clogged the pumps. Only one man survived. He had climbed into the rigging as she sank and after she sank was able to get to one of her boats that had providentially been left on deck and unfastened. Sheldrake recovered him the next morning.

Later in 1809, Sheldrake, alone or with other British warships, captured a large number of Danish merchantmen.

• Haversteen (6 May);
• Anna Magdalina (9 May).

Sheldrake with Kite:

• Drisden (17 May);
• Boat Anna Elizabeth, (17 May);
• Sloop of unknown name (19 May);
• Empty boat, (21 May);
• Sloop Jute Jaghen (29 May);
• Sloop Selden (30 May).

Captured by Sheldrake; Kite and Leveret sharing by agreement:

• Vrou (15 June);
• Boat Denmark (22 July).

Captured by Sheldrake, Leveret sharing by agreement:

• Sloop Folken (18 September).

Captured by Sheldrake, Leveret, and the gun-vessel Starling:

• Mackerel (10 October).

Captured by Sheldrake, Leveret and Chanticleer sharing by agreement:

• Jupiter (24 October).

On 16 November 1809, Sheldrake was in company with Rose when they captured diverse vessels. Some prize money was paid almost nine years later, in June 1818. Also on 16 November, Sheldrake captured the St. Peter. Prize money was paid some 11 years later.

In 1810 Commander James P. Stewart replaced Thicknesse, who was promoted to post-captain.