HMS Proserpine (1777)

HMS Proserpine was a 28-gun Enterprise-class sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She was launched in 1777 was wrecked in February 1799.

Career
Proserpine was first commissioned in July 1777 under the command of Captain Evelyn Sutton.

On 29 November 1779 Proserpine recaptured HMS Sphinx (1775) (or Sphynx). She had been in French hands for three to four months.

On 16 March 1794 HMS Penelope (1783) captured the French brick-aviso Goéland off Jérémie. Proserpine shared in the prize money, suggesting that she was in company with Penelope, or in sight. The Royal Navy briefly took Goéland into service as HMS Goelan.

Fate
Proserpine was wrecked off the Elbe on 1 February 1799. She was under the command of Captain James Wallis, and was taking the Honourable Thomas Grenville and his party to Cuxhaven, from where they were to proceed on a diplomatic mission to Berlin. By 4pm on 31 January the weather had worsened to such a degree that Proserpine had to anchor, four miles short of Cuxhaven. The weather worsened and by next morning the channels were blocked by ice. Wallis got under weigh to attempt to withdraw and reach a Danish port, but around 9:30pm she grounded. Attempts to lighten her failed. The next morning it became clear that she was aground on the Scharhorn Riff, near the island of Neuwerk, and completely blocked in by ice, which was increasing. At 1:30, all 187 persons on Proserpine left her and started the six-mile walk to shore, in freezing weather and falling snow. Seven seamen, a boy, four Royal Marines, and one woman and her child died; the rest made it to safety. The diplomatic party reached Cuxhaven a few days later. The master, Mr. Anthony took five men and returned to Proserpine on 10 February. They found her crushed. While they were on board, the ship, still encased in ice, was swept out to sea, before she grounded again on Baltrum Island. Anthony and his companions survived this shipwreck too.