The Agamemnon was one of seven ships built to the same design, drawn by the same naval architect that designed the famous Victory, Sir Thomas Slade. Agamemnon was the third to be built in the class, the first two being Ardent in 1762 and Raisonnable, laid down in 1763. Third was Agamemnon, followed by Belliqueux in 1778, Stately in 1779, Indefatigable in 1781 and finally the Nassau in 1783.
For three of the most crucial decades in British naval history, Agamemnon always seemed to be at the centre of the action, having no less than eleven battle honors.
Agamemnon’s maiden voyage was on 9th July 1781 under the command of Captain Caldwell. Her first engagement was at the battle of Ushant on 12th December 1781 where the British fleet under Rear Admiral Kempenfelt defeated the French fleet and captured a significant number of ships, including the convoy the French were escorting. Agamemnon’s next major engagement was at the Battle of The Saints on 12th April 1782 where Rodney and Lord Hood’s fleet defeated Comte de Grasse’s French fleet.
Nelson commanded Agamemnon, or “eggs and bacon” as her crew affectionately called her, until 10th June 1796. In that time Nelson had proved to be a great Commander, tactically and physically.
It was during his command of Agamemnon that Nelson lost the sight of his right eye. When at the Siege of Calvi in 1794 during the morning of 10th July, Nelson was hit in the face and chest by splinters, stones and sand that were thrown up by an enemy shell that hit a battlement during a shore action. On 13th June 1796, Nelson’s broad pennant was transferred to the 74 gun Captain at anchor in San-Fiorenza bay. He watched the worn out Agamemnon sail to England for a much-needed refit. She was refitted from the bottom up at Chatham. When re-commissioned in 1797 she was ordered to join Admiral Duncan’s squadron off Yarmouth, which was keeping watch on the coast of Holland. She was immediately caught up in the naval mutinies of that year. Agamemnon was however considered untrustworthy by Richard Parker the leader of the Nore mutineers and had the guns of the mutinous ships trained on her to ensure she did not ‘blackleg’. Subsequently in the proceedings that followed all thirteen of Agamemnon’s crew who were tried were pardoned.
Agamemnon’s next major fleet engagement was the battle of Copenhagen on the 21st April 1801. Unfortunately she was grounded on a shoal for most of the action, but Nelson won the battle and a truce with Denmark was negotiated. On the 21st October 1805 Agamemnon took part in the battle of Trafalgar. When Nelsons favorite ship hove in sight a week before, with Nelsons old friend Sir Edward Berry in command of the Agamemnon, Nelson was delighted “Here comes that damned fool Berry! Now we shall have a battle.” At Trafalgar the 27 British ships of the line defeated the Franco Spanish fleet of 33 line of battle ships in a victory that ensured British supremacy of the sea for the next 100 years. Later in Agamemnon’s career, she served in the West Indies, taking part in the battle of Santo Domingo, and then in South American waters. Agamemnon was wrecked in Maldonado Bay off the coast of Uruguay on the 16th June 1809. Divers have recently discovered the remains of HMS Agamemnon on the bottom of Maldonado Bay, after a six-year search by marine archaeologists. Strewn around the site are hundreds of copper plate, as well as a 24 pounder cannon, parts of the pumping devices as well as a significant amount of shot, bolts and copper nails. Also discovered was a silver pocket seal, complete with fob chain. On its face of translucent stone it bore a star shaped emblem with the name ‘Nelson’ in mirror image incised in a curve above.
HMS Agamemnon was laid down at Bucklers Hard in May 1777 and launched on the 10th April 1781.
The Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon kit features: Double plank on bulkhead construction, Keel and bulkheads are CNC cut in Birch ply as are all the major constructional parts. Extensive use of CNC cut Walnut has been employed for the majority of visible structures and fittings. The wood strip pack contains Lime wood for the first planking, Walnut for the second planking and Tanganyka for the decks. Ramin dowel is supplied for the masts and yards. Walnut and etched brass stern gallery windows, with the remaining tafrail decoration in finely cast white metal. Scale brass cannon barrels with walnut carriages. Rigging thread is supplied in natural and black to rig the model as depicted in the photographs. Beechwood deck gratings and Walnut Blocks and deadeyes. Shroud cleats, trucks, stunsail yard brackets as well as CNC cut Walnut tops, crosstrees, trestle trees, mast caps and a wealth of unique detail parts. Copper plates are provided to sheath the hull bottom. Fully detailed full size plans and a comprehensive construction manual.
CC9003
Length 51.2″ Height 37.2″ Width 19.1″ Scale 1:64
Advanced Level
Double Plank on Bulkhead Wooden Construction
HMS Agamemnon was a majestic Royal Navy ship that played a significant role in numerous battles and naval expeditions during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was a 64-gun third-rate ship of the line, measuring 175 feet in length and weighing over 1,500 tons. The construction of the ship began in 1777 at the Chatham Dockyard in England, and it was launched in 1781. Its name was inspired by the Greek mythological figure Agamemnon, a legendary king and commander during the Trojan War. The HMS Agamemnon was designed by renowned naval architect Sir Thomas Slade, who also designed the HMS Victory, the famous flagship of Admiral Lord Nelson.
The HMS Agamemnon was considered a formidable vessel, with three decks of cannons and a crew of over 500 men. Its sleek design, sturdy structure, and powerful armament made it a force to be reckoned with on the high seas. The ship was known for its excellent handling and maneuverability, making it a favorite among naval commanders. It was also equipped with state-of-the-art navigational instruments, including a chronometer, which was a crucial tool for determining accurate longitude at sea.
The HMS Agamemnon participated in numerous historic battles, including the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1797, where it played a crucial role in securing victory for the Royal Navy. It also saw action in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, where it was part of the fleet commanded by Admiral Nelson. The ship’s performance in battle was highly praised, and it became known as one of the most reliable and fearsome ships in the Royal Navy.
In addition to its military duties, the HMS Agamemnon also played an important role in exploration and scientific expeditions. In 1787, the ship was part of Captain Arthur Phillip’s First Fleet, which established the first British settlement in Australia. It also served as a surveying vessel in the Mediterranean and was involved in the exploration of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.
Despite its illustrious history, the HMS Agamemnon was eventually decommissioned in 1857, after nearly 80 years of service. Its legacy, however, lives on through numerous paintings, models, and replicas that honor its contribution to British naval history. Today, the original figurehead from the ship can be seen on display at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, a testament to the enduring legacy of the mighty HMS Agamemnon.
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