HMS Wizard (1830)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Wizard |
| Ordered | 28 October 1826 |
| Builder | Pembroke Dockyard |
| Laid down | October 1829 |
| Launched | 24 May 1830 |
| Completed | 15 June 1837 |
| Commissioned | April 1837 |
| Fate | Wrecked, 8 February 1859 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Cherokee-class brig-sloop |
| Tons burthen | 2307⁄94 bm |
| Length | 90 ft (27.4 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam | 24 ft 8 in (7.5 m) |
| Draught | 9 ft 2 in (2.8 m) |
| Depth of hold | 11 ft (3.4 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Brig rig |
| Complement | 52 |
| Armament |
|
HMS Wizard was a 10-gun Cherokee-class brig-sloop built for the Royal Navy during the 1820s. She was wrecked in 1859.
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] Wizard displaced 297 long tons (302 t) and measured 90 feet (27.4 m) long at the gundeck. She had a beam of 24 feet 8 inches (7.5 m), a depth of hold of 11 feet (3.4 m), a deep draught of 9 feet 2 inches (2.79 m) and a tonnage of 2317⁄94 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]
