HMS Amphion (1846) facts for kids
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Amphion in 1848
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Amphion |
| Ordered |
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| Builder |
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| Laid down | 15 April 1840 |
| Launched | 14 January 1846 |
| Commissioned | 13 May 1847 |
| Renamed | Ordered as HMS Ambuscade, renamed HMS Amphion on 31 March 1831 |
| Fate | Sold for breaking up on 12 October 1863 |
| General characteristics as built | |
| Class and type | 36-gun frigate |
| Tons burthen | 1474 bm |
| Length | 177 ft (53.9 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam | 43 ft 2 in (13.2 m) |
| Draught | 19 ft 2 in (5.8 m) |
| Propulsion |
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| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Speed | 6.75 knots (12.5 km/h) |
| Complement | 320 |
| Armament |
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HMS Amphion was a special kind of warship called a frigate. It belonged to the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. What made it unique was that it was one of the first warships to use a propeller, also known as a "screw," for power, in addition to its sails.
Building a Modern Warship
Amphion was first planned as a ship that would only use sails. It was ordered way back on May 13, 1828. At first, its name was going to be HMS Ambuscade. But on March 31, 1831, its name was changed to HMS Amphion.
The ship's construction started on April 15, 1840, at Woolwich Dockyard. This was a big shipyard where many ships were built. Later, on June 18, 1844, a new decision was made. The ship would be changed to use a screw propeller. This was a very new idea for warships at the time.
Amphion was finally launched into the water on January 14, 1846. It officially started its service on May 13, 1847. The special engines and machinery for its propeller were made by a company called Miller, Ravenhill & Co. These parts were put into the ship at the East India Docks.
Building and preparing Amphion for sea was quite expensive. The ship's body cost about £36,115. The engines and fitting them in cost another £16,673. Then, getting the ship ready to sail cost an extra £22,794. One challenge with the new engine design was that the machinery took up a lot of space. This meant there was less room to store food and supplies for the crew.
Life at Sea and War Service
When Amphion first started service, it had 36 guns. In 1848, the number of guns was reduced to 30. However, by 1856, it was back to having 36 guns.
Amphion played a part in the Crimean War. This was a big war that took place from 1853 to 1856. During the war, Amphion was sent to the Baltic Sea. In June 1855, something difficult happened. The ship got stuck on the ground near Vipuri in what was then the Grand Duchy of Finland. While it was stuck, Russian artillery fired at the ship. Sadly, one of the crew members was killed, and two others were hurt during this attack.
After its service, HMS Amphion was sold on October 12, 1863. It was bought by a person named Williams to be taken apart. This means the ship was broken down for its materials, ending its long and interesting career.
See also
- List of ship names of the Royal Navy
