HMS Ariel

Rating: Merchant

Class: Defiant-class Stripped Frigate

Date of Commission: March 8th, 1720

Shipyard: Sullivan Shipyards

Captain: James Sullivan

Guns: 6

Crew: 390

Status: Laid up

History:

During the early days after the founding of Sullivan Shipyards in St. Johns, the twin brothers James and Joseph had to take part in the daily opperations of the shipyard. HMS Ariel and HMS Fairy were commisioned by the shipyard to facilitate this, and the brothers were seen frequently sailing between the ports in the area. However, tension grew in time because the brothers did not see this as a duty fit for a Naval Officer. After a family dispute that nearly brought the company to its knees, it was decided that the twin brotehrs should not take part in the daily opperations of the shipyard in any way. The ships were thus laid up in Port Royal impending any future use. In the years that has gone by after this they have only been used on two occations, first during the great relocation from St. Johns to Turtling bay in the end of 1720 and later in the even greater relocation back to St. Johns in beginnig of 1722.