HMS Devonshire (1812) facts for kids

Devonshire
Quick facts for kids History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Devonshire
Ordered	28 May 1808
Builder	Barnard, Deptford
Laid down	October 1810
Launched	23 September 1812
Fate	Broken up, 1869
General characteristics
Class and type	Vengeur-class ship of the line
Tons burthen	1742 bm
Length	176 ft (54 m) (gundeck)
Beam	47 ft 6 in (14.48 m)
Depth of hold	21 ft (6.4 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	74 guns: Gundeck: 28 × 32 pdrs Upper gundeck: 28 × 18 pdrs Quarterdeck: 4 × 12 pdrs, 10 × 32 pdr carronades Forecastle: 2 × 12 pdrs, 2 × 32 pdr carronades Poop deck: 6 × 18 pdr carronades

HMS Devonshire was a large sailing warship built for the Royal Navy in the early 1800s. She was known as a 74-gun third rate ship of the line. This meant she carried 74 cannons and was a powerful vessel for her time.

She was launched on 23 September 1812. This happened at a place called Deptford in England.

What Was a Ship of the Line?

A ship of the line was a huge warship. It was designed to fight in a battle formation called the "line of battle." These ships would sail in a long line, side by side. This allowed them to fire all their cannons at enemy ships.

Cannons and Power

The Devonshire had 74 guns. These were spread across different decks:

• The main deck had 28 heavy 32-pounder cannons.
• The upper deck had 28 lighter 18-pounder cannons.
• Smaller cannons and carronades were on the quarterdeck, forecastle, and poop deck.

Carronades were shorter, lighter cannons. They were good for close-range fighting.

Building the Devonshire

The order to build HMS Devonshire was given on 28 May 1808. Construction began in October 1810. She was built by a company called Barnard in Deptford. Deptford was a famous shipbuilding area in England.

Life and Service of the Ship

For many years, HMS Devonshire served the Royal Navy. She was a sailing ship, powered by large canvas sails. Her main job was to protect Britain's interests at sea.

The Devonshire prison-ship, at Sheerness in 1854, holding Russian prisoners of war

Later Years as a Prison Ship

By 1849, the Devonshire was no longer needed for active fighting. She was then used for "harbour service." This meant she stayed in a port. One of her later roles was as a prison ship. In 1854, she held Russian prisoners of war. These were soldiers captured during the Crimean War.

The End of HMS Devonshire

After many years of service, HMS Devonshire was finally taken apart. This process is called "broken up." She was broken up in 1869. This marked the end of her long life at sea.