HMS Aigle was a 36-gun fifth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy, launched on 23 September 1801 from Bucklers Hard shipyard. Designed by Sir John Henslow, she was part of the Aigle class, characterized by a three-masted, full-rigged configuration and an emphasis on speed and maneuverability. Her dimensions included a length of 146 feet 2 inches along the gun deck, a beam of 38 feet 8 inches, and a tonnage of approximately 970 tons (bm). She was heavily armed with twenty-six 18-pounder long guns on her main deck, supplemented by four 9-pounders on her quarterdeck and forecastle, and ten 32-pounder carronades, which were short-range, large-bore guns. Her initial complement consisted of 264 men, and her sailing performance was noted as fast and weatherly, capable of reaching speeds of up to 12 knots under favorable conditions. Aigle’s early service involved patrolling the English Channel, where she engaged in numerous actions to maintain British naval dominance, including the capture of prize vessels and engagements with French ships. Notably, she was involved in the Easton Massacre in 1803, where her crew pressed recruits at Portland, leading to a trial for murder of her captain and officers—though they were ultimately acquitted. Aigle distinguished herself in several significant battles, including the action against two French frigates in March 1808 and her participation in the Battle of Basque Roads in April 1809. During this battle, she supported fireship attacks and helped capture stranded French vessels. She also took part in the Walcheren Campaign of 1809, a failed amphibious operation aimed at Dutch ports. Throughout her career, Aigle was involved in numerous reconnaissance and combat missions across European waters, including raiding Elba, supporting the invasion of Genoa, and operations in the Mediterranean. She was re-rated as a 42-gun frigate in 1817 and later converted into a 24-gun corvette in 1831. Her service concluded when she was transformed into a coal hulk and receiving ship in 1852, before being used as a torpedo target and sold for breaking in 1870. Her extensive operational history highlights her importance in the Royal Navy’s efforts during the Napoleonic Wars and beyond.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.