| History | |
|---|---|
 France | |
| Name | San Joseph |
| Builder | Saint-Malo |
| Laid down | 1807 |
| Captured | 13 February 1809 |
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMSMagnet |
| Acquired | 1809 by capture |
| Fate | Foundered September 1812 |
| General characteristics[1] | |
| Tons burthen | 28585⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 27 ft 10 in (8.5 m) |
| Depth of hold | 10 ft 3 in (3.1 m) |
| Sail plan | Sloop |
| Complement |
|
| Armament |
|
HMSMagnet was the former French privateerSan Joseph orSan Josepho, built in 1807, that the British captured in 1809. TheRoyal Navy took her into service as HMSMagnet. She disappeared, presumed to have foundered with all hands, while sailing toHalifax, Nova Scotia, in August or September 1812.
San Joseph was a brig-corvette commissioned in Saint-Malo in November 1807 under François-Auguste Blanchard. She made two cruises between 1807 and February 1809.[2]
On 12 February 1809,HMS Undaunted (1807), CaptainThomas James Maling, sighted the FrenchprivateerSan Joseph in the Channel.Undaunted discoveredSan Josephe at dawn, taking her after a chase lasting four hours, and brought her intoSpithead the next day. The privateer, which was only four days out fromSt. Malo, was provisioned for two months and pierced for 18 guns, but mounted only 14, and had a crew of 96 men.[3][a]
The Admiralty namedSan Joseph HMSMagnet,Magnet just having been lost. She underwent fitting at Portsmouth between 14 February and 10 July. She was commissioned under the command of Commander John Smith, who was preparing her for the ill-fatedWalcheren Campaign.[5] She served in the campaign and was among the many vessels that shared in the prize money for having served in the Schelde between 30 July and 16 August.[6]
After the Campaign,Magnet apparently saw much boat service at the "entrance of the German Rivers."[7]
Magnet was in company withDesiree on 15 February 1810 when they capturedHoffnung, Lund, master.[8] That same dayDesiree andMagnet capturedHarmonia.[9] Then on 3 MarchMagnet recapturedJean.[10]
Magnet captured theFrouw Heintze on 5 October.[10]
Commander Ferdinand Moore Maurice replaced Smith in 1811.[b] On 14 April 1812,Magnet sailed for South America.[1]
On 14 AugustMagnet accompanied Admiral SirJohn Borlase Warren, who was sailing to Halifax, Nova Scotia, onSan Domingo, together withPoictiers,Sophie, andMackerel.Magnet parted company with the squadron in a tremendous gale about two weeks out of Halifax, and never arrived.[12] She is believed to have foundered with all hands.[13]
David Lyon has published the plans ofMagnet in his bookThe Sailing Navy List.[14]