"When is a "rock" designated a Sloop of War 1804" Topic

New to me

Later falling into the Category of a Stone Frigate

link

In 1804 the Royal Navy commissioned a Basalt Island (Lava Plug) of the coast of Martinique as a Sloop of War arming it. The HMS Diamond Rock

Proved to be a thorn in the side of French ships – eventually taken down by a combined French and Spanish fleet

What really surprised me was "Since the island was technically a sloop of war, Lieutenant Maurice had to stand trial for the loss of his ‘ship'. He was quickly exonerated, and was rewarded for his long resistance with promotion to command of a more mobile vessel, HMS Savage."

link

Includes plans for the island and more details

My understanding is the British Admiralty later decided is was one of the first Stone Frigate – 1 of more than 100 shore facilities so designated over time

PDF link

This article discusses Stone Frigates in North America (beginning on page 31) – while focused on medals – it does have a list of Stone Frigates in North America

Hmm. A bit slow and difficult to reposition, certainly. But low maintenance and unsinkable. When you think of it, the perfect posting for a capable gunnery officer with poor navigational or ship-handling skills.

Hard to run aground or hit a pier as well

You ever been to Mauritius?

Just off Old Grand Port is Île de la Passe. Located at the entrance to the bay, it was captured by a British landing party on August 13, 1810. This bottled up the French fleet.

Its British occupation led to the famous Battle of Grand Port later that month.

Evidently, at night, British seamen scaled the unguarded cliffs & overpowered the French garrison, later adding cannon to its fortifications.

I took a sailing boat to it & it's in fairly pristine condition, with barracks, batteries etc still intact & looking very much like a man-of-war's deck.

link