The Sirius Class (1795) was established following the taking of the San Fiorenzo from the Spanish in 1794, upon whose lines this frigate was based. The Admiralty ordered construction on 30 April 1795, her keel being laid at the Dudman's yard in Deptford in September of that year. She was launched on 12 April 1797. April 30 is the 120th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (121st in leap years), with 245 days remaining, as the last day in April. ... 1795 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Deptford is an area of the London Borough of Lewisham, on the south bank of the River Thames in south-east London. ... April 12 is the 102nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (103rd in leap years). ... 1797 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

At the time of launching she measured 148'10", with a beam of 39'7", and weighed 1033 tons. Her crew numbered 274, and she was armed with 26x18 pounder cannon (upper deck), 6x12 pounders (quarter deck), with a further pair of 9 pounders mounted on the forecastle. Later records note that she carried 36 guns. forecastle with figurehead Grand Turk Forecastle also spelled focsle (pronounced ) originally meant the upper deck of a sailing ship, forward of the foremast. ...

This period of European history marked the pre-eminence of Napoleonic France in mainland Europe, and British foreign policy was aimed at eroding French influence using both military and economic force, particularly by means of inhibiting free movement of shipping in European waters. Between 1797 and 1805 the Sirius was engaged in maintaining the blockade of Napoleonic Europe, and took prizes from both the French and Dutch fleets, while under the able command of Captain William Prowse. ...

On October 21, 1805 the Sirius joined the British fleet under Vice Admiral Lord Nelson KB at Trafalgar. Entering battle to the North of the Weather Column, her station placed her only a few cable lengths from HMS Victory, Nelson's Flagship from where she assisted in containing the combined French and Spanish fleet, contributing to Britain's foremost naval victory. October 21 is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 71 days remaining. ... 1805 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Nelson is the name of several towns, cities, counties, regions around the world: Nelson, New Zealand Nelson, Lancashire, England Nelson, British Columbia Nelson, Georgia Nelson, Illinois Nelson, Missouri Nelson, Minnesota Nelson, Nebraska Nelson, New Hampshire Nelson, New York Nelson, Wisconsin Nelson County, Kentucky Nelson County, North Dakota Nelson County, Virginia... Trafalgar can refer to: Cape Trafalgar in south west Spain The Battle of Trafalgar, fought near the cape. ... This article is about the late 18th century ship of the line HMS Victory. ...

The summer of 1810 saw a campaign against the French Indian Ocean possessions; The Île de Bourbon (Reunion) was captured in July. In August attention was turned to Mauritius;

"Having captured an outlying island on 13 August, the Néréide lay off Grand Port, landing parties to attack shore batteries and signal stations. All proceeded smoothly until the morning of 20 August, when a French squadron arrived, composed of two forty-gun frigates, the Bellone and the Minerve, the 18-gun corvette Victor, and two East Indiaman prizes. The French squadron entered the harbour, engaging the Néréide as they passed, only one Indiaman steering away. Messages sent by Captain Willoughby brought the rest of the British squadron: the Sirius, 36 guns, Magicienne, 32, and the Iphigenia, 36, to the harbour. During the afternoon of 22 August, when Willoughby signalled "Enemy is of inferior force" Captain Pym in the Sirius led the attack on the French frigates, but she went hard aground, and although freed during the morning of 23 August, the attack had to be delayed until nearly five o'clock that evening. This attack was again disrupted by two of the advancing British vessels running aground, forcing one frigate to anchor short of her allocated position, and only the Néréide free to manoeuvre. The resulting action proved to be a costly defeat for the British, with the loss of all four frigates and the death of 105 men." (Hepper, David J. British Warship Losses in the Age of Sail 1650-1859)

Grounded about a mile from the action, the Sirius was only able to offer occasional supporting fire, whilst work went on to free her. Every effort to kedge her off failed, and the next morning she helped the Iphigenia to warp out of the harbour, engaging shore batteries as and when she could. Firmly aground, making water, and unable to be freed, Captain Pym ordered stores and provisions to be transferred to the Iphigenia, an on completion, the men were removed. The last of the crew left on the morning of 25 August 1810, setting the frigate on fire as they did so; she exploded at about eleven o'clock, her hull briefly drifting off the reef before sinking. August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ... 1810 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

Today the Sirius lies in some 20-25 meters of water, and although the wreck has been broken up, as much by salvors as by her unfortunate scuttling, the site is of great archaeological interest, with many of the cannon lying exposed.

--Strongp 18:07, 28 July 2005 (UTC)