About this artwork

HMS Lively, the 1804 ship. She was a 38 gun fifth rate frigate of the Royal Navy. HMS Lively was also the prototype of the Lively class of 18-pounder frigates designed by Sir William Rule, Surveyor of the Navy.
These ships were the most successful British frigates built during the Napoleonic wars, 15 more were ordered in the subsequent years. The Captains and crew adored their sailing qualities when fully stored. It’s been said that after barrels became empty, they would fill them with salt water to maintain their weight, thereby keeping her sailing abilities.
She carried a full complement of 284 officers and crew, later up to 300.
On the 5th of October 1804, these four frigates( Lively, Indefatigable, Medusa, and Amphion) intercepted four Spanish frigates off Cadiz. The Spanish ships were carrying Gold Bullion from South America to Spain. Spain was a neutral country at the time, though they showed signs of joining France in the war. This Gold would have been a great aid in their war effort. The Admiralty wanted the Spanish frigates brought to England. They refused and there was a short engaging battle. In short, one of the Spanish frigates, The Mercedes, blew up. Indy captured Medee and Lively captured Clara. After a further chase, Lively and Medusa captured Fama. They took them into Plymouth.
HMS Lively was eventually wrecked on the 20th of August 1810, after several more engagements in her career.
In total, the Royal Navy has had sixteen ships called HMS Lively.