HMS Aetna was originally launched in 1803 under the name Success at Littlehampton, a merchant vessel operating in London trade. The Admiralty purchased her later that year and converted her into a Royal Navy bomb vessel. She measured approximately 368 tons and was equipped to serve as a bomb ship, a class designed for shore bombardments with heavy mortars. Commissioned in December 1803 under Commander George Cocks, Aetna initially served in the Mediterranean, later coming under the command of several officers, including Commander Richard Thomas, Captain John Quillam, Commander William Peake, and Captain William Godfrey. Her service included participation in the Baltic campaign, notably during the siege and bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807, where she contributed to the Danish fleet’s capture. Her firepower and accuracy drew commendation from commanders like Cockburn. In 1814, Aetna was deployed to North America as part of the British squadron during the War of 1812. Notably, she participated in the bombardment of Fort Washington and Fort McHenry, engaging in the intense naval operations on the Potomac and Patapsco Rivers. Her crew was involved in the broader Gulf Campaign, including operations along the Mississippi River, supporting the attack on Fort Bowyer, and later, the evacuation of refugees from Negro Fort. During these campaigns, she was actively engaged in shelling shore positions and supporting land forces. Aetna was sold in 1816 after returning to Portsmouth, ending her naval service. She then returned to mercantile pursuits under her original name, Success, with her owners trading between London and Jamaica. Her later years included a voyage to Calcutta and the Cape of Good Hope. Her service record is marked by participation in significant naval campaigns, including key battles of the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812, illustrating her importance as a bomb vessel in early 19th-century maritime warfare. She was wrecked off the coast of Oléron in 1823, with her crew saved.

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