HMS Argo (1758) sea. The frigate was named after the Argo, the ship from Greek mythology upon which Jason and the Argonauts sailed from Iolcos to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece. The Navys choice of this name followed a trend initiated in 1748 by John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, in his capacity as First Sea Lord, of using figures from classical antiquity as descriptors for naval vessels. A total of six "Coventry"-class vessels were named in this manner; a further ten were named after geographic features including regions, English or Irish rivers, or towns. In sailing qualities "Argo" was broadly comparable
Golden Fleece (clipper) at Halifax, the nearest port, two days later. "Golden Fleece" was scuttled at Tobin’s Wharf, Halifax. The of water in her hold was then pumped out with a steam fire engine. After the ship was pumped out, fire broke out a second time, but was extinguished by spraying water into the hold. The cause of the fire was thought to be stevedores smoking while loading the cargo of ice. On February 22, 1877, she went aground at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata off Uruguay. After being surveyed at Montevideo, she was condemned and sold. Her cargo was