View source

'''HMS Sophie''', a small [[brig]]-rigged [[Royal Navy]] [[sloop]], was [[Jack Aubrey]]’s first real command when he took charge of her at [[Port Mahon]] in April of 1800.  Listed at only 208 tons, the ''Sophie'' carried fourteen 4-pounder [[cannon]]s.  The ''Sophie'', as described in [[Master and Commander (novel)|Master and Commander]] is closely based on the genuine ''[[HMS Speedy]]'', commanded by [[Thomas Lord Cochrane]], precisely matching her dimensions and her operational history, including her capture by a [[France|French]] squadron under Admiral [[Charles Linois]] in 1801.  The ''Sophie''’s most spectacular victory, the defeat and capture of the [[Spain|Spanish]] xebec-frigate ''[[Cacafeugo]]'' duplicates the historical ''Speedy''’s capture of the Spanish ''Gamo''.

Somewhat inexplicably, in [[Patrick O'Brian]]’s novel it is stated that the ''Sophie'' was formerly the Spanish [[brig]] ''[[Vencejo]]''.  As it happens, the genuine ''Vencejo'' (also Vincejo) was taken into the Royal Navy under her original name and under Commander [[John Wright]] was engaged in various intelligence-related duties.

[[Category:Historical ships|Sophie, HMS]]