HMS Penelope (1798)

HMS Penelope was a fifth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy, launched in 1798 and wrecked in 1815.

Career
Under Sir Henry Blackwood, she took part in the battle of 30 March 1800 against the Guillaume Tell. Penelope was credited with engaging and dismantling the masts of Guillaume Tell with two raking broadsides over her stern. This delayed Guillaume Tell and allowed Foudroyant and Lion to catch up and capture Guillaume Tell after a fierce battle. Penelope lost two killed and two wounded.

HMS Northumberland (1798), HMS Alexander (1778), Penelope, HMS Bonne Citoyenne (1796), and the brig HMS Vincejo (1799) shared in the proceeds of the French polacca Vengeance, captured entering Valetta, Malta on 6 April.

Because Penelope served in the navy's Egyptian campaign (2 March to 8 September 1801), her officers and crew qualified for the clasp "Egypt" to the Naval General Service Medal that the Admiralty authorised in 1850 for all surviving claimants.

From 1803, Penelope served in the English Channel under William Robert Broughton.

Penelope shared with HMS Moselle (1804) and HMS Boadicea (1797) in the proceeds of the Jonge Obyna, Smidt, master, on 13 June 1805.

Fate
On 27 April 1815, Penelope, under James Galloway, ran aground near the Cap des Rosiers in Canada. In the night, she broke into three pieces, killing 40 of her crew.

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