HMS Tay was a 20-gun sixth-rate post ship launched on 28 November 1813 at Bucklers Hard. As a sixth-rate vessel, she was designed for versatility and speed, though specific measurements are not detailed in the provided source. After her launch, she was initially placed in Ordinary at Portsmouth before undergoing fitting for sea in late 1814, with Captain William Robilliard commissioning her in August of that year. She also underwent modifications at Portsmouth between January and February 1815. Her service record was brief, marked primarily by her involvement in capturing the prize Panther in June 1815, along with other British ships, after Panther was sailing from Martinique to Dunkirk. Captain Robert Boyle commanded her until February 1816, when Commander Samuel Roberts took over, leading her to the Jamaica Station. The most notable event in HMS Tay’s history occurred on 11 November 1816, when she was wrecked on the east side of Scorpion Reef in the Gulf of Mexico, off the Yucatán coast. While sailing from Havana to Campeche, Mexico, the ship struck a coral reef at night, despite a recent sounding indicating deep water. The crew managed to alert others and attempted rescue, but the ship was battered and ultimately filled with water after multiple collisions with the reef. The crew, after firing distress signals, abandoned ship using boats and a raft, with one passenger drowning when the boats swamped. They eventually reached a nearby island, where they established a camp and salvaged provisions. The Spanish guarda costa Valencey and schooner Zaragozana arrived shortly after, verified the crew's safety, and then forced the surrender of Captain Roberts and his men, looting the ship of stores, provisions, and approximately $350,000 in specie. A court martial held in Jamaica in February 1817 exonerated Roberts and his crew of blame, citing currents and the treacherous conduct of the Spaniards as causes of the loss, and commended Roberts’s conduct during the crisis. The crew's discipline deteriorated on the island, leading to lashes and punishments for misconduct. Roberts departed for England in 1817, receiving respect from Jamaican merchants and later serving in other naval roles. The incident highlighted the hazards of navigation in the Gulf of Mexico and the importance of maritime discipline and conduct during shipwrecks.

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