H.M.S. Pickle
1805
(Johann Wolkersdorfer JW-79)
- Class: Armed cutter
- Displacement: 126 bm tons
- Dimensions: 73' x 20'7" x 9'6"
- Armament: 10-12pdr carronades
- Complement: 36
- Designer: Pope & Burns?
- Built: Devon/Cornwall?
- Keel laid:
- Launched: 1799
- Purchased: 1802
- Notes: Built as the schooner Sting probably in the West Country, although possibly in Bermuda. Purchased into the Royal Navy as a dispatch vessel in 1802 and renamed Pickle. Served with the Channel fleet 1803-1805. Departed with dispatches for Nelson's fleet off Cadiz Sep 1805. Present at Battle of Trafalgar 21 Oct 1805 under the command of Lt John Lapenotière. Active in rescuing French survivors. Following the great storm that caused much damage to both the victors and their prizes Pickle was ordered to carry dispatches back to England to announce the victory and the loss of Adm Nelson. Traveling in appalling weather, she departed 27 Oct and arrived at Falmouth on 4 Nov, whence Lapenotière travelled by coach to the Admiralty in London, arriving early on 6 Nov. Afterwards, Pickle continued to serve as a dispatch vessel, until wrecked near Cadiz 26 Jul 1808.
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