HMSGloucester(1812)
 The hulkGloucesterandHMSVolageat Chatham, sometime from 1861 to 1884
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMSGloucester |
| Ordered | 11 June 1808 |
| Builder | Pitcher, Northfleet |
| Launched | 27 February 1812 |
| Fate | Sold, 1884 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Vengeur-classship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 17706⁄94bm |
| Length | 176 ft 3.5 in (53.7 m) (Gundeck) |
| Beam | 47 ft 10.5 in (14.6 m) |
| Draught | 17 feet 5.5 inches (5.3 m) (deep load) |
| Depth of hold | 21 ft (6.4 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament |
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HMSGloucesterwas a 74-gun,third rateVengeur-classship of the linebuilt for theRoyal Navyin the 1810s. She played a minor role in theNapoleonic Warsand wascut downinto a 50-gunfourth ratefrigatein 1831–32. The ship was converted into areceiving shipandbroken upin 1884.
Description
[edit]Gloucesterhad a length at thegundeckof 176 feet 3.5 inches (53.7 m) and 145 feet 2 inches (44.2 m) at thekeel.She had abeamof 47 feet 10.5 inches (14.6 m), adraughtof 17 feet 5.5 inches (5.3 m) atdeep load,and a depth ofholdof 21 feet (6.4 m). The ship'stonnagewas 17706⁄94tonsburthen.[1]Gloucesterwas armed with twenty-eight 32-pounder cannon on her maingundeck,twenty-eight 18-pounder cannon on her upper gundeck, four 12-pounder cannon and ten 32-poundercarronadesthequarterdeck,two more pairs of 12-pounder guns and 32-pounder carronades on theforecastle,and six 18-pounder carronades on thepoop deck.[2]The ship had a crew of 590 officers andratings.[3]
Construction and career
[edit]Gloucester,named after theeponymous port,was the sixth ship of her name to serve in the Royal Navy.[4]She was ordered on 11 June 1808 from Thomas Pitcher and waslaid downat hisNorthfleetdockyardin March 1808,launchedon 27 February 1812 and was towed toSheernesswhere the ship was completed on 11 June.Gloucestercost£62,519 to build and an additional £25,343 tooutfit.The ship wascommissionedin April 1813 under the command ofCaptainRobert Williams for duty in theNorth Seaand then theBaltic Sea.[5]
She was reduced to a 50-gun ship in 1831–32, and was sold for scrap in May 1884.[2]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- Colledge, J. J.;Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969].Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy(Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing.ISBN978-1-86176-281-8.
- Lavery, Brian (2003)The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The Development of the Battlefleet 1650-1850.Conway Maritime Press.ISBN0-85177-252-8.
- Winfield, Rif (2008).British Warships in the Age of Sail, 1793-1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates.Barnsley, UK: Seaforth.ISBN978-1-84415-700-6.