HMS Nightingale was a 16-gun brig-sloop of the Seagull class of the British Royal Navy, launched in July 1805. She served during the Napoleonic Wars, primarily in the North Sea, where she captured a number of merchant vessels. The Navy sold her in 1815. She then became a merchantman, trading across the Atlantic, particularly between Liverpool and South America. She was last listed in 1829.
In August 1805 Commander William Wilkinson commissioned Nightingale for the North Sea. Nightingale was in company with and on 6 April when Texel captured the Einigheid. That same day the same three British ships, together with the hired armed vesselsNorfolk and Chapman, captured the Jonge Ebeling, Freundschaft, and Morgenstern. Six days later Nightingale captured the Prussian ship Frou Gesiner. The capture of the Twee Gebroders followed on 26 April. Then Nightingale captured the Prussian ships Jonge Gerrite, and De Drie Gebroeders on 23 May. On 24 January 1807, Nightingale arrived at Edinburgh from Tunningen with news of a French defeat north of Warsaw. In the autumn Nightingale was present at the second battle of Copenhagen. On 20 October she received orders to accompany a small squadron that would escort the transport ships back to Yarmouth. She carried Captain the HonourableCharles Paget, of. He had taken up Admiral Gambier's offer to let him return to Britain with the duplicate despatches announcing Denmark's capitulation. On 25 July 1809, Nightingale captured the Danish vessel Emanuel. That same day she captured Cutter No 16. On 8 August three Danish vessels arrived at Leith. They were prizes to, Nightingale, and. Then on 16 AugustNightingale captured the Danish vessel Transport No 52. Lastly, on 12 October, she captured the Helena Maria. April 1810 saw Nightingale capture five vessels: Martini Jacobi, C. Stysring, master, Godes Fisne, A. Brede, master, Amicitia, Paul Paulson, master,, Magneten, H. Kilrub, master,, and a sloop, No. 60, name unknown, Maria Dorothea, Anna Serina and Bodel Maria. Then on 19 MayRifleman and Nightingale were again in company when they captured the Palmtract. On 29 January 1813, Nightingale captured the American ship Calumet, of 187 tons bm, which had been carrying a cargo of tobacco from Boston to Marstrand. Nightingale sent her into Leith. Then on 9 March 1813, Nightingale was in company with when they captured the Danish sloop Enigheiden. On 11 SeptemberNightingale was at Leith receiving a 4-inch false keel.
Disposal
The Navy put Nightingale up for sale on 23 November 1815 at Sheerness. She was sold that day for £810.
Merchantman
Nightingalefirst appeared in Lloyd's Register in 1816 with D.Gray, master, Denniston, owner, and trade London–Charleston.
Year
Master
Owner
Trade
Source
1820
D.Munn
Denniston & Co.
Liverpool–Buenos Aires
LR
1825
Shannon
Captain & Co.
Liverpool–Rio de Janeiro
LR
Fate
Nightingale was last listed in LR in 1829 with unchanged information.
