Captured – 19th April 1782
Broken Up – 1831
On the 19th April, 1782, The two decked 64-gun French third-rate ship, “Jason”, was captured whilst in the Mona Passage that separates Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, by a squadron of ships under the command of Rear Admiral Sir Samuel Hood.
In 1783, she was renamed HMS Argonaut. On January 8th 1795, whilst commanded by Captain A J Ball she was involved in battle with the French and, with the assistance of HMS Oiseau; she captured the 22-gun French sloop, Esperance.
In 1797, she was reduced to harbour service and used as a Hospital Ship in the River Medway. Then, in 1822, she was moved a short distance upstream to Chatham and used in a similar role. Argonaut was eventually broken up in 1831.
My 4th Great Grandfather Commander James James was on the Argonuat at some stage as his daughter Ann died on board HMS Argonaut on 04/12/1807 could someone confirm this
Lawrence very little is known about the first Argonaut. In fact I have tried to research the ship and find it a bit of an enigma.
If you have any further information about your 4th Great Grandfather please let me know so I can do some more research.