Emerald's battery and long cruising career

HMS Emerald was an Amazon-class sailing frigate ordered and laid down in 1794, launched and commissioned in 1795, and retained until she was broken up in January 1836. Her gun deck carried twenty-six 18-pounder long guns. The quarterdeck added eight 9-pounders and six 32-pounder carronades, with two more of each type on the forecastle. Her career included the action of 26 April 1797, the bombardment of Cadiz, the attack on Santa Cruz, and duty off Alexandria. After the June 1799 captures, she also took part in the action of 7 April 1800, the capture of Suriname, and operations in home waters and at the Basque Roads. That range of service illustrates the repeated demands placed on a cruising frigate and the heavy armament brought against the French brigs.