HMS Thetis (1782)
HMS Thetis was a 38-gun fifth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy launched in 1782. Career French Revolutionary Wars In early 1793, Thetis captured the East Indiaman Trajan, Captain Joseph Boudel, which was coming from Pondicherry. The French privateer recaptured Trajan and brought her into Bordeaux. On 2 May 1795 Rear Admiral George Murray sent Captain Alexander Cochrane in Thetis, together with , to intercept three French supply ships reported at Hampton Roads. At daybreak on 17 May the British came upon five ships west by south from Cape Henry. The French made a line of battle to receive the British frigates. An action commenced, with three of the French vessels eventually striking their colours. Thetis took possession of the largest, which turned out to be , pierced for 36 guns but only mounting 24. Hussar captured a second, Raison, pierced for 24 guns but only mounting 18. One of the vessels that had struck nonetheless sailed off. Two of the five had broken off the fight and sailed off earlier. (The three that escaped were the Normand, Trajan, and Hernoux.) An hour after she had struck, Prévoyantes main and foremasts fell over the side. In the battle, Thetis had lost