THIS week in Down Memory Lane we look at a brave action at Purfleet 200 years ago this week that ended in tragedy.

Events are not fully detailed, but simply record that Midshipman Richard Worth, of HMS Surveillante, drowned off Purfleet while trying to save another sailor who had gone overboard on February 26, 1813.

I have not been able to find anything else about this incident or where Richard was buried – perhaps a local historian can help?

Purfleet Royal Gunpowder Magazines had been supplying gun powder and shot to naval expeditions and war fleets for 50 years at the time of the arrival for loading ordnance on to HMS Surveillante.

HMS Surveillante entered service as a 40-gun Virginie Class frigate of the French Navy first laid down in July 1801, weighing 1,094 tons and was just under 127ft long and acquired by the French Navy in December 1802.

She was surrendered to the British in November 1803, in Haiti, during the revolt of slaves against the French.

As a newly-built ship, she was bought into the Royal Navy Service quickly – the first recorded Navy Pay Office Ships’ Pay Books from the Navy Board started on July 11, 1804.

She had a long and active career under two distinguished commanders, from the Baltic to the North-Western coasts of France, Spain and Portugal, and was present at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1807 and throughout the Peninsula Wars.

Her record as a taker of prizes is notable for its success, particularly towards the end of her career, until 1814 when she was decommissioned.

During the month of the recorded drowning on February 4, 1813, Surveillante was present at the capture of American schooner Rolla.

I assume she was then returned to Great Britain to restock stores. Any further information will be gratefully received on Midshipman’s Worth’s brave act.

The featured engraving shows the ship moored alongside Wingroves Hotel – now the Royal Hotel.