HMS Centaur

We know a great deal about John Donaldson, as he was called during his time serving under Commodore Hood. It was only in 1812 that he […]

George Bettesworth was the second son of John Bettesworth of Carhayes, Cornwall. In October 1807, his cousin, Lord Byron, wrote: Next January … I am going […]

The image created by John Eckstein neatly summarises the group we have called ‘Hood’s Boys’. It probably shows the team behind the establishment of the Diamond […]

Having been captured from the French in February 1804, HMS Curieux had been an active member of Hood’s squadron. The unexpected arrival of the French and […]

We are fortunate in having a very full account of life ‘on board’ Diamond Rock in an account which appeared in two parts in the Tyne […]

After its fortification early in 1804, Diamond Rock continued as a stone frigate under the command of Capt. Maurice for over a year. Then, in the […]

John Eckstein (1765-1837) was not, strictly, one of Hood’s Boys but he was present on Diamond Rock and has left us a unique record of the […]

Diamond Rock off Martinique has gone down in history as the first ‘stone frigate’ owned by the Royal Navy. The Navy of the time was precluded […]

The 290 ton French corvette Curieux was launched on September 20th, 1800. At 97ft over all she had a compliment of 94 men and 16 guns. […]

HMS Curieux did not have a completely unblemished record. In May 1805 an unsavoury case concerning its officers came before the Court of King’s Bench. They […]

We know little about Robert Reynolds but one suspects that he was not only popular but trusted officer. He is mentioned as being the son of […]

Just occasionally, a happy team experiences a magic moment when everything seems to go right. The early months of 1804, aboard HMS Centaur, 74, under Commodore […]