Venus-class frigate

Last updated

Class overview
Built1756–1758
In commission1758–1809
Completed3
General characteristics
Tons burthen718 18⁄94 bm (as designed)
Length
  • 128 ft 4 in (39 m) (gundeck)
  • 106 ft 2.625 in (32.37548 m) (keel)
Beam35 ft 8 in (11 m)
Depth of hold12 ft 4 in (4 m)
Sail plan Full-rigged ship
Complement240
Armament
  • 36 guns comprising:
  • Upper deck: 26 × 12-pounder guns
  • Quarterdeck: 8 × 6-pounder guns
  • Forecastle: 2 × 6-pounder guns

The Venus-class frigates were three 36-gun sailing frigates of the fifth rate produced for the Royal Navy. They were designed in 1756 by Sir Thomas Slade, and were enlarged from his design for the 32-gun Southampton-class frigates, which had been approved four months earlier. [1]

Contents

The 36-gun frigates, of which this was to be the only British design in the era of the 12-pounder frigate, carried the same battery of twenty-six 12-pounders as their 32-gun predecessors; the only difference lay in the secondary armament on the quarterdeck which was here doubled to eight 6-pounders. Slade's 36-gun design was approved on 13 July 1756, on which date two ships were approved to be built by contract to these plans. A third ship was ordered about two weeks later, to be built in a royal dockyard. [1]

The Venus-class were faster than the Southampton-class, making up to 13 knots ahead of strong winds and ten knots while close-hauled compared with Southampton-class speeds of 12 and 8 knots respectively. Both Venus- and Southampton-class frigates were highly maneuverable and more capable of withstanding heavy weather than their French equivalents during the Seven Years' War. [2]

Ships in class

ShipOrderedBuilderLaid downLaunchedCompletedFateRef.
HMS Pallas 13 July 1756William Wells & Company, Deptford Dockyard July 175630 August 17578 October 1757 at DeptfordRun ashore due to leaks and burnt on Sao Jorge (Azores) on 12 February 1783 [3]
HMS Venus 13 July 1756John Okill, Liverpool.16 August 175611 March 175830 June 1758 at LiverpoolReduced to 32 guns in 1792. Renamed Heroine on 14 July 1807. Paid off 1809 and laid up. Sold to break up at Deptford Dockyard on 22 September 1828 [3]
HMS Brilliant 29 July 1756Thomas Bucknall, Plymouth Dockyard 28 August 175627 October 175720 November 1757Sold at Deptford Dockyard, 1 November 1776 [3]

References

  1. 1 2 Winfield 2007, p. 191
  2. ↑ Gardner 1992, p. 98
  3. 1 2 3 Winfield 2007, pp. 191–193

Bibliography

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