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As the fleet repaired at Naples Colossus was immediately sent "on a cruise off Malta". She then went to Gibraltar before returning to the now repaired fleet in Naples. Colossus was not cannibalized; Captain Murray did, however, hand over to Nelson three of his guns and one bower anchor. This was done as Colossus had been ordered home to England, whereas the Vanguard was staying within the war zone. Loaded with Greek vases and wounded men from the battle of the Nile, Colossus set off for home. She stopped of at Algiers and at Lisbon on the way. At Lisbon she joined a larger convoy that was "bound for Ireland and other northern ports". The convoy dispersed in the English Channel as planned.
Amidst the bad winter weather Colossus sighted the Isles of Scilly first and came to anchor in St Mary's Roads. For three days she intended to ride out the storm only for it to increase. On the night of 10 December an anchor cable parted and the ship ran aground off Samson Island. One sailor drowned in this incident.
Read more about this topic: HMS Colossus (1787)
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