Talk:French ship Swiftsure (1801)

H.M.S. Swiftsure At the battle of Trafalgar

I have read with some intrest that wikipedia says that HMS Swiftsure was caught by the french in 1801 and actually fought for the french at Trafalgar. I have a question about theis as an ancestor of mine was assistant ships surgeon, Peter Suther. I have looked up where in the battle Swiftsure was and have visited the maritime museum at Plymouth (where Victory is in dry dock)and it shows the battle with HMS Swiftsure near the back of the British fleet.

I might be incorrect but I think the information on the web to be wrong. if you look at a number of history books you will see that Swiftsure is near the back of the formation. If you could please tell me if either the online encyclopedia is correct or if the other information is correct.

Knid regards

Mike Suther

For further information and proof of what I am saying please go to www.nelsonsnavy.co.uk —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.13.179.248 (talk) 09:54, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

I'm not sure what you were asking. There was a French ship in the battle named Swiftsure, which had been captured from the British; there was also a newer British ship named HMS Swiftsure. The diagram shows HMS Swiftsure as #10 in the southern column, in the the rear half of that formation. The French Swiftsure is shown in the middle of the southern pack of the French–Spanish fleet.

By the way, I notice the fleets also included HMS Neptune, a French ship Neptune, and a Spanish ship Neptuno!

Googling, I see a, "SUTHER Peter Ass Surgeon Swiftsure Martinique", listed as a veteran of Trafalgar. The "Martinique" is apparently not a reference to the Battle of Martinique (1780), but to some more-recent engagement. "[MARTINIQUE & GUADALOUPE] in the West Indies changed hands several times and there were several successful and unsuccessful attempts to capture and re-capture them."

—wwoods 20:51, 20 October 2007 (UTC)