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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, kts7.5
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.