Prison Hulks

A prison hulk was a floating prison ship in which convicts could be held prior to transportation to a penal colony by a convict ship

The Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books record the names of people incarcerated aboard these vessels.

The list below shows the Prison Hulks which are mentioned in the Calderdale Companion

HMS Bellerophon

Ref 458-4

Launched [1786]. Served in the Battle of Trafalgar, she became a prison hulk [1815]. Renamed Captivity [October 1824]. Sold [January 1836].

Prisoners recorded on this hulk include:

• William Law [1817]

HMS Dolphin

Ref 458-20

Launched as an East Indiaman named Admiral Rainier, which the Navy bought and renamed HMS Hindostan. The Admiralty purchased her in 1804 for service as a 50-gun Fourth-rate. She was converted into a 20-gun storeship in 1811. She was renamed Dolphin [1819] and Justitia [1831]. Sold in 1855.

Prisoners recorded on this hulk include:

• William Walsh [1830]

HMS Edgar

Ref 458-23

Launched in 1779. Converted to a prison hulk [1813]. Renamed Retribution [1814]. Broken up [1835]

HMS Fortitude

Ref 458-26

Two such ships are recorded, in 1833 & 1844:

1. Fortitude was launched in 1780. Served as a prison hulk [from 1795]. She was broken up [1820]
2. Fortitude was launched as HMS Cumberland [1807]. Converted to a prison hulk [1830], Renamed Fortitude [1833]. Up for sale [1870]

   Amongst the prisoners recorded on this hulk were:

   • Solomon Crabtree [1838]
   • Alexander Mackay [1841]
   • Thomas Bardsley Wood [1842]

HMS Ganymede

Ref 458-28

A French frigate called Hébé captured in 1809. Became a prison hulk [1819]. Broken up in 1838.

Prisoners recorded on this hulk include:

• Jabez Priestley [1837]

HMS Hindostan

Ref 458-9

See HMS Dolphin and HMS Justitia

HMS Justitia

Ref 458-35

Two such ships are recorded:

1. Justitia

   Vice Admiral Richard Onslow captured the Zeeland from the Dutch at Plymouth [4th March 1796]. Renamed Justitia [1812]. Broken up [1830], and her name transferred to Dolphin.

2. Justitia

   Launched as Admiral Rainier. Bought by the Admiralty [1804] , and named HMS Hindostan. Converted into a storeship [1811]. Again renamed Dolphin [1819]. Became a prison hulk, and renamed Justitia [1830]. Sold in 1855.

   Amongst the prisoners recorded on this hulk were:

   • James Pickles [1838]
   • Joseph Ratcliffe [1838]
   • Abel Ashworth [1842]

HMS Leviathan

Ref 458-40

Launched at Chatham [1790].

She fought at the Battle of Trafalgar, under Captain Henry William Bayntun, she was near the front of the windward column led by Admiral Lord Nelson aboard his flagship HMS Victory. Captain Bayntun captured the Spanish vessel San Augustin. Four of the Leviathan crew died with more than 20 wounded.

Used as a prison hulk at Portsmouth [from 1816]. Used as a naval target [October 1846]. Sold [1848]

Prisoners recorded on this hulk include:

• Henry Sutcliffe [1842]

HMS Retribution

Ref 458-54

Launched as HMS Edgar [1779]. Converted into a prison hulk [1813]. Renamed Retribution [1814]. Broken up [1835].

Prisoners recorded on this hulk include:

• Isaac Briggs [1828]
• John Fielding [1828]
• Matthias Pilling [1828]
• George Stansfield [1828]
• Jonathan Stansfield [1828]
• Henry Sunderland [1828]
• Joseph Cliffe [1830]

HMS Warrior

Ref 458-66

Launched in 1781. Became a receiving ship [after 1818]. A prison hulk [after 1840]. Broken up [1857].

Prisoners recorded on this hulk include:

• George Ashworth [1842]
• Benjamin Borran [1842]

HMS Cumberland

Ref 458-1

See HMS Fortitude

Page Ref: MMP1156

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