HMS Valorous (1851)
.jpg) HMS Valorous, a sketch by W L Wyllie
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Valorous |
| Ordered | 25 April 1847 |
| Builder | Pembroke Dockyard |
| Laid down | March 1849 |
| Launched | 30 April 1851 |
| Completed | 7 July 1853 |
| Fate | Sold for scrap, 27 February 1891 |
| General characteristics (as built) | |
| Class and type | Magicienne-class second-class paddle frigate |
| Tons burthen | 1,25669⁄94 bm |
| Length | 210 ft (64 m) |
| Beam | 36 ft (11 m) |
| Draught | 8 ft 8 in (2.6 m) ( deep load ) |
| Depth of hold | 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m) |
| Installed power | 400 kW ) |
| Propulsion | Paddle wheels; oscillating steam engines |
| Speed | 9–10 knots (17–19 km/h; 10–12 mph) |
| Complement | 175 |
| Armament |
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HMS Valorous was one of two 16-gun, steam-powered Magicienne-class second-class paddle frigates built for the Royal Navy in the 1850s. Commissioned in 1853 she played a small role in the Crimean War of 1854–1855 and was sold for scrap in 1891.
Design and construction
The Magicienne-class ships had a length at the
The ships were fitted with a pair of 2-cylinder
Valorous was built at a cost of £69,064, of which her machinery cost £24,329.[1] She was originally ordered on 25 April 1847 as a first-class sloop to John Edye's design, approved on 12 August 1847. On 5 August they were re-ordered as 210 ft (64 m) vessels. When finished, they constituted the last group of paddle warships built for the Royal Navy.[2]
Career
In 1852 she was in the Mediterranean Sea, then in 1854 she was assigned to the Baltic Sea.[3] On 23 July, Valorous ran aground off Åland, Grand Duchy of Finland. She was severely damaged, losing her forefoot and keel and being holed. A sail was placed over the hole and her crew managed to prevent her from sinking.[4] In 1855 she operated in the Black Sea during the Crimean War. In 1857 she was on the North America and West Indies Station, and from 1863 until she was paid off in September 1867 she operated off the Cape of Good Hope.[3] On 10 January 1871, she was driven from her moorings and ran aground at Plymouth, Devon. Damage was described as slight.[5] Carrying extra stores, she accompanied the British Arctic Expedition ships Alert and Discovery as far as Qeqertarsuaq, Godhavn in 1875.[6] On 27 July, Valorous ran aground 10 nautical miles (19 km) off Holstenborg, Greenland. She was refloated and found to be leaky. She was taken in to Holstenborg for repairs, which took ten days. A watertight bulkhead was inserted at the bow as part of the repairs.[7] In 1878 she was commanded by Captain John A Fisher (later Admiral of the Fleet).[3]
Disposal
She was sold on 27 February 1891 to E Marshall of Plymouth for breaking up.[1]
Notes
- ^ "Cwt" is the abbreviation for hundredweight, 56 cwt referring to the weight of the gun.
Citations
- ^ a b c Winfield, p. 1432
- ^ a b Lyon & Winfield, p. 155
- ^ a b c Mackay, pp. 138–139
- ^ "The Baltic Fleet". The Times. No. 21812. London. 1 August 1854. col E-F, p. 10.
- ^ "Marine Intelligence". Newcastle Courant. No. 10229. Newcastle upon Tyne. 13 January 1871.
- ISBN 978-1-57607-422-0.
- ^ "Collision at Sea". Bradford Observer. Vol. 42, no. 3955. Bradford. 1 September 1875. p. 3.
References
- ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
- Lyon, David & Winfield, Rif (2004). The Sail and Steam Navy List, All the Ships of the Royal Navy 1815–1889. Chatham. ISBN 1-86176-032-9.
- Mackay, Ruddock F. (1973). Fisher of Kilverstone. London: Oxford University Press.
- Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail, 1793-1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth. ISBN 978-1-84415-700-6.
External links
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