HMS Southampton
Frigate · United Kingdom · Lost 1812 · The Bahamas
A Royal Navy frigate that ran aground on a Bahamian reef in 1812 while towing its captured American prize USS Vixen, leaving cannons still visible on the seabed.
The Vessel and Her Loss
Launched in 1757, Southampton served the Royal Navy for over half a century before, during the War of 1812, she captured the American brig USS Vixen. While towing the prize toward Jamaica, both vessels ran aground on a reef near Conception Island in November 1812 and were lost. Cannons, anchors and other artifacts from both ships remain scattered across the shallow reef.
Vessel
- 1757
- Robert Inwood
- Rotherhithe, England
- Wood
- 124 ft
- 35 ft
- 671
- Sail, full-rigged ship
- Royal Navy
Loss
- November 27, 1812
- Grounding
- Near Conception Island, Bahamas
- Bahama Banks
- Jamaica
- Not established
- Not established
- No credible casualty figures for the grounding are established in the sources reviewed.
- Sir James Lucas Yeo
The Wreck Today
- 10-25
- Scattered, with cannons and anchors visible on the reef
- Not established
- Not established
- Within Conception Island Land and Sea Park, a Bahamas National Trust protected area
Position
- Not established
- Position withheld to protect the site
- Conception Island
Location has traditionally not been published in detail to protect the site from salvage.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (80/100)
The precise wreck coordinates are not published, and casualty details of the grounding are not established in the sources reviewed.
Wikipedia (HMS Southampton, 1757)
Build data, career, loss date and location.
Loss narrative involving USS Vixen, wreck depth and protected access.
