HMS Devastation (1841) facts for kids
HMS Devastation was a special kind of ship in the Royal Navy, the navy of the United Kingdom. She was a steam sloop, which means she used steam power and was smaller than a frigate. What made her unusual was that she was a paddle steamer, using big wheels on her sides to move through the water. She was designed by Sir William Symonds and launched in 1841. Even though she didn't fight in any big battles, she had some interesting commanders and traveled to many parts of the world.
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Building and Early Days
HMS Devastation was built at the Woolwich Dockyard in London. She was launched on July 3, 1841. Her first commander was Hastings Reginald Henry. The ship was armed with six guns, including two very powerful 68-pounder guns. She had a crew of 149 sailors. For her first year, she sailed in the Mediterranean Sea.
Changes in Command
Over the next few years, several commanders took charge of HMS Devastation. In 1842, John James Robinson briefly commanded her before Captain Henry returned. Later, in 1843, Swynfen Carnegie took over. In 1844, William Hewgill Kitchen became her commander. He later became the Governor of Ascension Island, a small island in the Atlantic Ocean.
Voyages and Missions
From late 1845 to early 1846, HMS Devastation was prepared for new missions at Woolwich. She then joined the Squadron of Evolution, a group of ships testing new designs and tactics. She served off the west coast of Africa.
African Coast and Experimental Squadron
In May 1846, Charles Hotham became her commander. He would later become the Governor of Victoria in Australia. Under Captain Hotham, HMS Devastation joined the Experimental Squadron in Portsmouth, England. This squadron helped the navy learn more about new steam-powered ships.
After a short time back with Commander Edward Crouch, the ship was commanded by Reginald Thomas John Levinge. She continued her duties off the coast of West Africa. In September 1847, Commander Reynell Charles Michell took her all the way to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
North America and the West Indies
In May 1851, HMS Devastation sailed to North America and the West Indies. Captain Colin Yorke Campbell was in command for this voyage. For several years, from 1853 to 1858, she remained in the West Indies. During this time, she had many different commanders, including Algernon Frederick Rous de Horsey, Edward Marshall, Leveson Somerset, Charles Wake, and John Kennedy Erskine Baird.
Pacific Ocean Duty
In December 1861, HMS Devastation was sent to the Pacific Ocean under the command of John Dobree McCrea. After six months, John William Pike took over.
In December 1864, the Hon Walter Hylton Joliffe became her last commander. He sailed her back to England in August 1866.
End of Service
HMS Devastation was broken up for scrap in 1866. This means she was taken apart, and her materials were reused.
Interesting Fact
Letters written by Captain Hotham between 1846 and 1848, while he was on HMS Devastation, are kept safe in the National Archive at Kew, England. These letters give us a glimpse into life on board the ship and her missions.
