HMS Southampton was the name ship of the 32-gun fifth-rate frigates of the Royal Navy. She was launched in 1757 and served for more than half a century until wrecked in 1812. In 1772, Southampton – at the time commanded by the capable John MacBride, destined for a distinguished naval career – was sent to Elsinore, Denmark, to take on board and convey to exile in Germany the British PrincessCaroline Matilda, George III's sister, who had been deposed from her position as Queen of Denmark due to her affair with the social reformerJohan Struensee. On 3 August 1780, Southampton captured the French privateer lugger, of 12 guns and 80 men, under the command of Joseph Le Cluck. She had on board Mr. Andrew Stuart, Surgeon's Mate of HMS Speedwell, "as a ransomer." She had suffered shot holes between wind and water and sank shortly thereafter. Southampton shared the head money award with Buffalo,, and. Southampton took part in the Action of 9 August 1780, when a convoy she was escorting fell prey to a Franco-Spanish squadron. 55 merchantmen were captured, but she managed to escape. On 10 June 1796, Southampton captured the French corvette at Hyères Roads, by boarding. Utile was armed with twenty-four 6-pounder guns and was under the protection of a battery. She had a crew of 136 men under the command of Citizen François Veza. The French put up a resistance during which they suffered eight killed, including Veza, and 17 wounded; Southampton had one man killed. The Royal Navy took her into service as HMS Utile.,, and the hired armedcutter were in company at the time, and with the British fleet outside Toulon. They shared with Southampton in the proceeds of the capture, as did,,, and. Lloyd's List reported that she and the sloop-of-war had run aground and lost their masts on the coast of Mississippi during a great hurricane on 19 and 20 August 1812, but that the crews were saved. Both vessels were refloated, repaired, and returned to service. On 22 November, Southampton, under the command of Captain James Lucas Yeo, captured the Americanbrig. Vixen was armed with twelve 18-pounder carronades and two 9-pounder bow chasers, and had a crew of 130 men under the command of Captain George Reed. She had been out five weeks but had not captured anything.
Fate
A strong westerly current wrecked Southampton and Vixen on an uncharted submerged reef off Conception Island in the Crooked Island Passage of the Bahamas on 27 November. No lives were lost.
