HMS Barrosa (1860) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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Name | HMS Barrosa |
Launched | 10 March 1860 |
Out of service | 1873 |
Fate | Broken up in 1887 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Jason-class corvette |
Length | 225 ft (69 m) |
Propulsion | Screw |
Complement | 240 |
Armament | 21 |

HMS Barrosa was a special type of warship called a Jason-class corvette. It was built for the British Royal Navy and launched on 10 March 1860. This ship had an exciting life, sailing to far-off places and even taking part in a battle! After many years of service, Barrosa was taken apart in 1877.
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Meet HMS Barrosa: A Powerful Corvette
HMS Barrosa was built at Woolwich Dockyard in England. It was a large ship for its time, measuring about 225 feet (68.6 meters) long. That's longer than two basketball courts! It was also 41 feet (12.5 meters) wide and weighed about 1,700 tons.
Ship's Design and Weapons
As a corvette, Barrosa was designed to be fast and strong. It used a screw propeller for propulsion, which was a modern technology back then. The ship was armed with many powerful guns. It had 16 large 8-inch guns, one 7-inch gun, and four 40-pounder guns. These weapons made it a formidable force on the seas. A crew of 240 sailors worked and lived on board.
Exciting Missions and Adventures
HMS Barrosa took part in some important events during its time in service. These missions showed its strength and the bravery of its crew.
The Shimonoseki Battle (1864)
One of Barrosa's most famous moments was in 1864. It joined other ships in the Bombardment of Shimonoseki in Japan. This was a battle where British, French, Dutch, and American ships fired on forts in Shimonoseki. Barrosa played a key role in this action, helping to protect shipping routes.
Joining the Flying Squadron
From 1869 to 1873, Barrosa was part of a special group of ships called the Flying Squadron. This squadron was like a rapid-response team for the Royal Navy. These ships would sail around the world, showing the flag and being ready for any mission. Being part of the Flying Squadron meant Barrosa traveled to many different countries and experienced life on the open ocean.
End of an Era: Barrosa's Final Years
After years of service and exciting voyages, HMS Barrosa was taken out of active duty in 1873. The ship had served its purpose well, traveling the world and defending British interests. It was finally broken up, or scrapped, in 1877. Even though the ship no longer exists, its story lives on as an important part of naval history.