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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
UNITED KINGDOM
OTHER FIGHTING SHIPS
ALBACORE screw gunboats (1855-1860)
Ships
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver | Money Wigram & Son, Northam | 28.5.1855 | 28.11.1855 | 31.5.1856 | BU 1864 | ||
| Whiting | Money Wigram & Son, Northam | 28.5.1855 | 9.1.1856 | 8.2.1856 | BU 12.1881 | ||
| Nightingale | C J Mare & Co, Blackwall | 1.6.1855 | 22.12.1855 | 11.3.1856 | sold 7.1867 | ||
| Violet | C J Mare & Co, Blackwall | 1.6.1855 | 9.1.1856 | 18.3.1856 | sold 10.1864 | ||
| Seagull | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 1.5.1855 | 4.6.1855 | 22.12.1855 | sold 10.1864 | ||
| Skipjack | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 8.5.1855 | 4.8.1855 | 10.12.1855 | boilers removed 1862, cooking depot 1874 | ||
| Sandfly | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 16.5.1855 | 1.9.1855 | 4.1.1856 | sold 11.1867 | ||
| Sheldrake | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 18.5.1855 | 1.9.1855 | 16.12.1855 | sold 6.1865 | ||
| Plover | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 16.6.1855 | 8.9.1855 | 3.1.1856 | sunk 26.6.1859 | ||
| Tickler | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 20.6.1855 | 8.9.1855 | 26.12.1855 | BU 11.1863 | ||
| Banterer | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 12.7.1855 | 29.9.1855 | 9.1.1856 | sold 12.1872 | ||
| Bullfrog | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 20.7.1855 | 6.10.1855 | 6.1.1856 | BU 6.1875 | ||
| Bustard | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 1.8.1855 | 20.10.1855 | 9.1.1856 | sold 11.1869 | ||
| Carnation | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 7.8.1855 | 20.10.1855 | 16.1.1856 | BU 1863 | ||
| Charger | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 9.8.1855 | 13.11.1855 | 24.1.1856 | BU 4.1864 | ||
| Cockchafer | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 6.9.1855 | 24.11.1855 | 26.1.1856 | sold 1872 | ||
| Dove | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 11.9.1855 | 24.11.1855 | 24.1.1856 | sold 4.1873 | ||
| Forward | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 13.9.1855 | 8.12.1855 | 9.2.1856 | sold 9.1869 | ||
| Grasshopper | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 14.9.1855 | 12.1.1856 | 5.2.1856 | sold 5.1871 | ||
| Hasty | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 8.10.1855 | 10.1.1856 | 20.2.1856 | sold 11.1865 | ||
| Herring | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 8.10.1855 | 10.1.1856 | 29.2.1856 | BU 8.1865 | ||
| Insolent | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 24.10.1855 | 26.1.1856 | 8.3.1856 | sold 5.1869 | ||
| Mayflower | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 1.11.1855 | 31.1.1856 | 17.3.1856 | tender 1862 | ||
| Staunch | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 2.11.1855 | 31.1.1856 | 12.3.1856 | sold 12.1866 | ||
| Goldfinch | Money Wigram & Son, Blackwall | 30.7.1855 | 2.2.1856 | 15.3.1856 | BU 6.1869 | ||
| Goshawk | Money Wigram & Son, Blackwall | 30.7.1855 | 9.2.1856 | 17.3.1856 | BU 3.1869 | ||
| Julia | Fletcher & Fearnall, Limehouse | 2.8.1855 | 27.11.1855 | 25.2.1856 | BU 2.1866 | ||
| Louisa | Fletcher & Fearnall, Limehouse | 9.8.1855 | 12.1855 | 17.3.1856 | sold 8.1867 | ||
| Bouncer | C J Mare & Co, Blackwall | 15.8.1855 | 23.2.1856 | 1859 | sold 2.1871 | ||
| Hyaena | C J Mare & Co, Blackwall | 15.8.1855 | 3.4.1856 | 12.4.1856 | sold 3.1870 | ||
| Savage | C J Mare & Co, Blackwall | 15.8.1855 | 5.5.1856 | 13.10.1856 | mooring lighter 1864 | ||
| Wolf | C J Mare & Co, Blackwall | 15.8.1855 | 5.7.1856 | 8.2.1856 | BU 7.1864 | ||
| Griper | R & H Green, Blackwall | 26.8.1855 | 11.12.1855 | 22.2.1856 | tender 1861, BU 3.1869 | ||
| Fervent | R & H Green, Blackwall | 26.8.1855 | 23.1.1856 | 24.3.1856 | BU 2.1879 | ||
| Forester | R & H Green, Blackwall | 26.8.1855 | 23.1.1856 | 24.3.1856 | yard craft 1868 | ||
| Spanker | R & H Green, Blackwall | 26.8.1855 | 22.3.1856 | 12.4.1856 | BU 8.1874 | ||
| Traveller | R & H Green, Blackwall | 26.8.1855 | 13.3.1856 | 11.4.1856 | BU 12.1863 | ||
| Thrasher | R & H Green, Blackwall | 16.8.1855 | 22.3.1856 | 12.4.1856 | sold 5.1883 | ||
| Opossum | Money Wigram & Son, Northam | 10.9.1855 | 26.2.1856 | 31.8.1856 | hospital hulk 1876 | ||
| Partridge | Money Wigram & Son, Northam | 10.9.1855 | 29.3.1856 | 4.1856 | tender 1859 | ||
| Charon | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 14.11.1855 | 9.2.1856 | 19.3.1856 | BU 10.1865 | ||
| Haughty | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 20.11.1855 | 9.2.1856 | 19.3.1856 | sold 5.1867 | ||
| Leveret | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 10.11.1855 | 8.3.1856 | 8.4.1856 | BU 10.1867 | ||
| Mackerel | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 10.11.1855 | 8.3.1856 | 8.4.1856 | BU 7.1862 | ||
| Procris | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 19.12.1855 | 13.3.1856 | 12.4.1856 | cooking depot ship 6.1869 | ||
| Shamrock | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 19.12.1855 | 13.3.1856 | 9.4.1856 | sold 4.1867 | ||
| Spey | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 1.2.1856 | 29.3.1856 | 14.4.1856 | BU 12.1863 | ||
| Tilbury | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 1.2.1856 | 29.3.1856 | 14.4.1856 | BU 8.1865 | ||
| Peacock | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 5.2.1856 | 12.4.1856 | 22.4.1856 | BU 3.1869 | ||
| Pheasant | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 15.2.1856 | 1.5.1856 | 31.1.1857 | BU 8.1877 | ||
| Primrose | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 15.2.1856 | 3.5.1856 | 3.1.1857 | BU 5.1864 | ||
| Pickle | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 20.2.1856 | 3.5.1856 | 3.1.1857 | BU 4.1864 | ||
| Prompt | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 25.2.1856 | 21.5.1856 | 3.1.1857 | BU 5.1864 | ||
| Porpoise | W & H Pitcher, Northfleet | 8.3.1856 | 7.6.1856 | 29.9.1860 | BU 2.1864 | ||
| Firm | Fletcher & Fearnall, Limehouse | 9.10.1855 | 22.3.1856 | 12.4.1856 | sold 1872 | ||
| Flamer | Fletcher & Fearnall, Limehouse | 26.11.1855 | 10.4.1856 | 10.11.1859 | hospital ship 1871 | ||
| Fly | Fletcher & Fearnall, Limehouse | 10.12.1855 | 5.4.1856 | 5.7.1856 | BU 1862 | ||
| Sepoy | T & Wm Smith, North Shields | 8.10.1855 | 13.2.1856 | 5.4.1856 | BU 4.1868 | ||
| Erne | T & Wm Smith, North Shields | 8.10.1855 | 18.2.1856 | 3.4.1856 | BU 1874 | ||
| Spider | T & Wm Smith, North Shields | 13.10.1855 | 23.2.1856 | 11.4.1856 | sold 5.1870 | ||
| Lively (ex-Surge) | T & Wm Smith, North Shields | 15.10.1855 | 23.2.1856 | 11.4.1856 | wrecked 23.12.1863 | ||
| Surly | T & Wm Smith, North Shields | 15.10.1855 | 18.3.1856 | 5.7.1856 | Coast Guard 1861 | ||
| Swan | T & Wm Smith, North Shields | 14.11.1855 | 12.4.1856 | 2.10.1856 | coal hulk 1869 | ||
| Delight | Money Wigram & Son, Blackwall | 12.10.1855 | 15.3.1856 | 5.4.1856 | sold 11.1867 | ||
| Grappler | Money Wigram & Son, Blackwall | 12.10.1855 | 29.3.1856 | 12.4.1856 | sold 1.1868 | ||
| Growler | Money Wigram & Son, Blackwall | 12.10.1855 | 8.5.1856 | 30.7.1858 | BU 8.1864 | ||
| Parthian | Money Wigram & Son, Blackwall | 12.10.1855 | 8.5.1856 | 8.12.1856 | BU 9.1864 | ||
| Quail | Money Wigram & Son, Blackwall | 12.10.1855 | 2.6.1856 | 30.7.1858 | BU 9.1861 | ||
| Ripple | Money Wigram & Son, Blackwall | 12.10.1855 | 2.6.1856 | 24.4.1857 | BU 4.1866 | ||
| Cochin | R & H Green, Blackwall | 1.12.1855 | 8.4.1856 | 20.4.1856 | BU 3.1863 | ||
| Cherokee | R & H Green, Blackwall | 1.12.1855 | 30.4.1856 | 3.10.1856 | BU 3.1869 | ||
| Camel | R & H Green, Blackwall | 1.12.1855 | 3.5.1856 | 1856 | BU 6.1864 | ||
| Caroline | R & H Green, Blackwall | 1.12.1855 | 9.5.1856 | 2.10.1856 | BU 2.1862 | ||
| Confounder | R & H Green, Blackwall | 12.1855 | 21.5.1856 | 1856 | BU 10.1864 | ||
| Crocus | R & H Green, Blackwall | 1.12.1855 | 4.6.1856 | 1856 | BU 7.1864 | ||
| Beacon | John Laird, Sons & Co, Birkenhead | 17.10.1855 | 11.2.1856 | 29.3.1856 | BU 8.1864 | ||
| Brave | John Laird, Sons & Co, Birkenhead | 17.10.1855 | 11.2.1856 | 3.1856 | BU 3.1869 | ||
| Bullfinch | John Laird, Sons & Co, Birkenhead | 17.10.1855 | 25.2.1856 | 6.1857 | BU 8.1864 | ||
| Redbreast | John Laird, Sons & Co, Birkenhead | 17.10.1855 | 11.3.1856 | 14.4.1856 | BU 9.1864 | ||
| Rose | John Laird, Sons & Co, Birkenhead | 6.12.1855 | 21.4.1856 | 18.5.1856 | BU 8.1868 | ||
| Blazer | John Laird, Sons & Co, Birkenhead | 17.10.1855 | 23.2.1856 | 7.4.1856 | dredger 6.1868 | ||
| Rainbow | John Laird, Sons & Co, Birkenhead | 17.10.1855 | 8.3.1856 | 14.4.1856 | survey ship 1857 | ||
| Brazen | John Laird, Sons & Co, Birkenhead | 17.10.1855 | 23.2.1856 | 4.1856 | BU 8.1864 | ||
| Raven | John Laird, Sons & Co, Birkenhead | 17.10.1855 | 8.3.1856 | 5.1856 | sold 4.1875 | ||
| Rocket | John Laird, Sons & Co, Birkenhead | 8.12.1855 | 21.4.1856 | 5.1856 | BU 10.1864 | ||
| Hardy | Charles Hill & Sons, Bristol | 19.10.1855 | 1.3.1856 | 10.11.1859 | sold 2.1869 | ||
| Havock | Charles Hill & Sons, Bristol | 20.10.1855 | 20.3.1856 | 10.11.1859 | sold 3.1870 | ||
| Highlander | Charles Hill & Sons, Bristol | 22.10.1855 | 29.4.1856 | 1859? | dredger 1868 | ||
| Albacore | J & R White, West Cowes | 12.10.1855 | 3.4.1856 | 5.5.1856 | tank vessel 1874 | ||
| Amelia | J & R White, West Cowes | 12.10.1855 | 19.5.1856 | 1856? | BU 9.1865 | ||
| Foam | Money Wigram & Son, Northam | 29.10.1855 | 8.5.1856 | --- | incomplete, sold 6.1867 | ||
| Wave | Money Wigram & Son, Northam | 29.10.1855 | 25.6.1856 | --- | incomplete, coal hulk 1869 | ||
| Magnet | Briggs & Co, Sunderland | 16.10.1855 | 29.1.1856 | 27.3.1856 | BU 1874 | ||
| Manly | Briggs & Co, Sunderland | 16.10.1855 | 29.1.1856 | 27.3.1856 | BU 1.1864 | ||
| Mastiff (ex-Hound) | Briggs & Co, Sunderland | 16.10.1855 | 22.2.1856 | 1.4.1856 | BU 10.1863 | ||
| Mistletoe | Briggs & Co, Sunderland | 16.10.1855 | 22.2.1856 | 1.4.1856 | BU 9.1864 | ||
| Earnest | William Patterson & Son, Bristol | 15.10.1855 | 29.3.1856 | 1856 | sold 1.1885 | ||
| Escort | William Patterson & Son, Bristol | 15.10.1855 | 26.5.1856 | 1856 | BU 10.1865 |
Technical data
| Displacement normal, t | 284 |
|---|---|
| Displacement full, t |
|
| Length, m | 32.3 pp |
| Breadth, m | 6.71 |
| Draught, m | 1.98 |
| No of shafts | 1 |
| Machinery | Beaver, Whiting, Skipjack, Sheldrake, Tickler, Bullfrog, Carnation, Cockchafer, Forward, Hasty, Insolent, Staunch, Julia, Louisa, Bouncer, Hyaena, Savage, Charon, Haughty, Leveret, Mackerel, Shamrock, Spey, Tilbury, Firm, Flamer, Fly, Cochin, Cherokee, Camel, Caroline, Confounder, Crocus, Beacon, Brave, Bullfinch, Redbreast, Rose, Blazer, Rainbow, Brazen, Raven, Rocket, Foam, Wave, Magnet, Manly, Mastiff, Mistletoe: sails + 2 cylindrical boilers, 1 2-cyl HSE, trunk Nightingale, Violet, Seagull, Sandfly, Plover, Banterer, Bustard, Charger, Dove, Grasshopper, Herring, Mayflower, Goldfinch, Goshawk, Wolf, Griper, Fervent, Forester, Spankler, Traveller, Thrasher, Opossum, Partridge, Procris, Peacock, Pheasant, Primrose, Pickle, Prompt, Porpoise, Sepoy, Erne, Spider, Lively, Surly, Swan, Delight, Grappler, Growler, Parthian, Quail, Ripple, Hardy, Havock, Highlander, Albacore, Amelia, Earnest, Escort: sails + 3 cylindrical boilers, 1 2-cyl HSE |
| Power, h. p. | 203 - 233ihp |
| Max speed, kts | 7.5 |
| Fuel, t | coal 25 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | |
| Armament | 1 x 1 - 206/15 68pdr 95cwt shell SBML, 1 x 1 - 163/18 32pdr 56cwt SBML, 2 x 1 - 148/8 24pdr SBML howitzers |
| Complement | 36 - 40 |
Project history
Wooden-hulled 'Crimean' gunboats. W. H. Walker design of 1855. Most numerous class of warships ordered for the Royal Navy to a single design since Cruizer and Cherokee classes of brig sloop during the Napoleonic era. Virtually repeated preceding Dapper class.
Modernizations 1861, Traveller, Sepoy, Spider;
1861, Traveller, Sepoy, Spider; 1862, Griper, Rose: fitted for Armstrong guns
Naval service
Plover sunk in action with the Taku forts in the Peiho River 26.6.1859. Banterer grounded in action with the Taku forts in the Peiho River 25.6.1859 but refloated. Staunch between 30.7.1862 and 3.8.1862 stuck on a rock at Canton but was managed to get off. Lively 23.12.1863 wrecked on the Dutch coast, later salved and became the German mail steamer Helgollanderin.
