HMS Sheldrake (1825)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Sheldrake entering Falmouth Harbour | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Sheldrake |
| Builder | Pembroke Dock |
| Launched | 19 May 1825 |
| Fate | Sold for scrap, 1855 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Cherokee-class brig-sloop |
| Tons burthen | 22716⁄94 bm |
| Length | 90 ft (27.4 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam | 24 ft 9 in (7.5 m) |
| Draught | 9 ft (2.7 m) |
| Depth of hold | 11 ft (3.4 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Brig rig |
| Complement | 52 |
| Armament |
|
HMS Sheldrake was a 10-gun Cherokee-class brig-sloop built for the Royal Navy during the 1820s. In 1827 she became a Post Office Packet Service packet, sailing out of Falmouth, Cornwall.
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] Sheldrake 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 9 inches (7.5 m), a depth of hold of 11 feet (3.4 m), a deep draught of 9 feet (2.7 m) and a tonnage of 22756⁄94 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 positioned in the bow for use as chase guns.[3]