HMS Saldanha (1809)

HMS Saldanha was a 36-gun fifth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy, launched in 1809. Her relatively short service was marked by a series of misfortunes and culminated in her tragic loss off the coast of Ireland later that year.

The Saldanha was built to a design by Sir William Rule, one of the Surveyor of the Navy's staff. She was named after Saldanha Bay in South Africa, reflecting a trend of naming Royal Navy vessels after geographical locations.

Her commanding officer upon commissioning was Captain William Waldegrave, later the 8th Earl Waldegrave. Saldanha was initially employed in patrolling the waters off the Irish coast.

On December 4, 1809, while en route to Lough Swilly, Saldanha was caught in a severe gale. Driven towards the Irish coast, she struck rocks off Ballymastocker Bay near Fanad Head in County Donegal. The ship quickly broke up, and the vast majority of her crew, including Captain Waldegrave, perished. Accounts suggest that only a small number of bodies were recovered, with most being washed ashore unidentifiable. The precise number of casualties is uncertain but is generally estimated to be around 250.

The wreck of HMS Saldanha remains a maritime tragedy and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by sailors during the Age of Sail. The loss was particularly devastating due to the speed and totality of the wreck, leaving little opportunity for rescue. The incident was the subject of a naval court of inquiry, although the circumstances of the wreck were primarily attributed to the severity of the storm.