HMS Skylark (1826)

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History
Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
NameSkylark
Namesake Skylark
Ordered25 March 1823
Builder Pembroke Dockyard
Laid downMay 1825
Launched6 May 1826
Completed22 February 1827
FateWrecked, 25 April 1845
General characteristics
Class & type Cherokee-class brig-sloop
Tons burthen2346794 bm
Length90 ft (27.4 m) (gundeck)
Beam24 ft 11 in (7.6 m)
Draught9 ft 6 in (2.9 m)
Depth of hold11 ft (3.4 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planBrig rig
Complement52
Armament

HMS Skylark was a 10-gun Cherokee-class brig-sloop built for the Royal Navy during the 1820s. She was wrecked in 1845.

Contents

Description

The Cherokee-class brig-sloops were designed by Henry Peake, they were nicknamed 'coffin brigs' for the large number that either wrecked or foundered in service, but modern analysis has not revealed any obvious design faults. They were probably sailed beyond their capabilities by inexperienced captains tasked to perform arduous and risky duties. [1] Whatever their faults, they were nimble; quick to change tack and, with a smaller crew, more economical to run. [2] Skylark displaced 297 long tons (302  t ) and measured 90 feet 1 inch (27.5 m) long at the gundeck. She had a beam of 24 feet 11 inches (7.6 m), a depth of hold of 11 feet (3.4 m), a deep draught of 9 feet 6 inches (2.9 m) and a tonnage of 2346794 tons burthen. The ships had a complement of 52 men when fully manned, but only 33 as a packet ship. The armament of the Cherokee class consisted of ten muzzle-loading, smoothbore guns: eight 18 lb (8.2 kg) carronades and two 6 lb (2.7 kg) guns postioned in the bow for use as chase guns. [3]

Construction and career

Skylark was ordered on 25 March 1823 and laid down in May 1825 at Pembroke Dockyard. The ship was launched on 5 May 1826 and was converted into a packet ship with four guns from 2 June 1826 to 22 February 1827. She was commissioned in January 1827 and was assigned to the Falmouth packet service once she had been completed. [4]

On 25 March 1842, Skylark was driven ashore at Greenock, Renfrewshire. She was refloated and taken into port. [5] On 25 April 1845, Skylark was driven ashore and wrecked at St Alban's Head, Dorset. Her crew survived. [6]

Citations

  1. Gardiner, p. 66
  2. Knight, pp. 60, 170
  3. Winfield, pp. 239, 246
  4. Winfield, p. 246
  5. "Shipping Intelligence". The Morning Chronicle. No. 22576. London. 29 March 1842.
  6. "Ship News". The Times. No. 18909. London. 28 April 1845. col E-F, p. 7.

Bibliography