HMS Trafalgar (1841)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Trafalgar.

HMS Trafalgar was a 120-gun, three-deck, first rate, broadened Caledonia-class ship of the line built for the Royal Navy during the 1830s. Completed in 1842, the ship remained in ordinary until 1845. She was participated in the Crimean War of 1854–1855. Trafalgar was razeed and converted into a steam-powered, 89-gun, second rate, two decker in 1858–1859.

Trafalgar, launched by Lady Bridport, niece of Lord Nelson, accompanied by Queen Victoria
History
United Kingdom
Name	Trafalgar
Ordered	19 February 1825
Builder	Woolwich Dockyard
Laid down	November 1829
Launched	21 June 1841
Renamed	Boscawen, 1873
Fate	Sold, 1906
General characteristics (as built)
Class & type	Broadened Caledonia-class ship of the line
Tons burthen	272132⁄94 bm
Length	205 ft 6 in (62.6 m) (gundeck)
Beam	55 ft 8 in (17.0 m)
Draught	18 ft 3 in (5.6 m)
Depth of hold	23 ft 3 in (7.09 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	120 guns: Gundeck: 30 × 32 pdrs, 2 × 68 pdr carronades Middle gundeck: 32 × 32 pdrs, 2 × 68 pdr carronades Upper gundeck: 32 × 32 pdrs, 2 × 68 pdr carronades Quarterdeck: 16 × 32 pdr carronades Forecastle: 2 × 32 pdrs, 2 × 32 pdr carronades

Description

The Caledonia class was an improved version of HMS Hibernia with additional freeboard to allow them to fight all their guns in heavy weather. Trafalgar measured 205 feet 6 inches (62.6 m) on the gundeck and 170 feet 5 inches (51.9 m) on the keel. She had a beam of 55 feet 8 inches (17.0 m), a depth of hold of 23 feet 2 inches (7.1 m), a deep draught of 18 feet 3 inches (5.56 m) and had a tonnage of 272132⁄94 tons burthen. Her crew numbered 820 officers and ratings in peacetime and 900 in wartime. The ship was armed with 120 muzzle-loading, smoothbore guns that consisted of thirty 32-pounder (56 cwt) guns^{[Note 1]} and two 68-pounder carronades on her lower gundeck, thirty-two 32-pounder 55 cwt guns]] and two 68-pounder carronades on her middle gundeck and thirty-two 32-pounders and two 68-pounder carrondaes on her upper gundeck. Her forecastle mounted a pair of 32-pounder 49 cwt guns and two 32-pounder carronades. On her quarterdeck she carried sixteen 32-pounder carronades. Trafalgar's armament was later modified with four 8 in (203 mm) shell guns that replaced her 68-pounder carronades on the lower and middle gundecks. The 68-pounder carronades on the upper gundeck were replaced by a pair of 32-pounders. All of the guns on the forecastle and quarterdeck were replaced by six 32-pounders and fourteen short 32-pounder guns.^[1] The ship's figurehead was a bust of Lord Nelson, and is now on display at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.^[2]

Construction and career

Her Majesty's Visit to the Launch of the Trafalgar, 120 Guns, 21st June 1841

Woolwich Dockyard, launching of Trafalgar 1841

Trafalgar was ordered on 22 February 1825, laid down at Woolwich Dockyard in December 1829, launched on 21 June 1841 and completed on 6 June 1842.^[3] The ship was named by Nelson's niece Lady Bridport at the request of Queen Victoria, who with Prince Albert also attended the launch. The wine used was some kept from HMS Victory after returning from Trafalgar. Five hundred people were on board the ship at the time of its launch, of whom 100 had been at Trafalgar. It was estimated 500,000 people came to watch the event and the Thames was covered for miles with all manner of boats.^[4] The ship's first commission was not until 30 January 1845 under Captain William Martin when she became the flagship of Vice-Admiral John Chambers White, Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.^[3]

Trafalgar participated in the Bombardment of Sevastopol on 17 October 1854 during the Crimean War.^[5]

Life in a Training-Ship, sketches on board Boscawen. The Graphic 1883

The ship was fitted with screw propulsion in 1858–1859. As a training ship in Portland Harbour, she was renamed Boscawen in 1873, and finally sold out of the service in 1906.^[6] Commander Lawrence de Wahl Satow was appointed in command 15 April 1902.^[7]

Notes

1. "Cwt" is the abbreviation for hundredweight, 56 cwt referring to the weight of the gun.