HMS Firm (1794) facts for kids
Drawing of Firm, from the archives of the Royal Museums Greenwich
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Firm |
| Ordered | 14 November 1793 |
| Builder | M/shipwright Martin Ware, Deptford |
| Laid down | 3 February 1794 |
| Launched | 31 May 1794 |
| Fate | Sold in 1803 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Firm-class floating battery |
| Tons burthen | 3976⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 31 ft 4 in (9.6 m) |
| Draught | 2 ft 8 in (0.8 m) / 2 ft 11 in (0.9 m) |
| Depth of hold | 7 ft 4 in (2.2 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Topsail schooner |
| Complement | 100 |
| Armament | 16 × 18-pounder carronades |
HMS Firm was a special kind of warship called a 16-gun Firm-class floating battery. It was built for the Royal Navy and launched in 1794. These ships were designed to work in shallow waters, like rivers or close to the coast. After a peace treaty called the Peace of Amiens, Firm was taken out of service in March 1802. She was then sold in 1803.
Contents
About HMS Firm
Building and Design
Sir John Henslow designed the Firm class of ships. He based their design on flat-bottomed Thames barges. This design helped them operate in shallow waters.
Early Service
Firm was officially put into service in June 1794 under Commander Temple Hardy. Soon after, Commander Robert Plampin took command in September. The ship then sailed to places like Ostend and Flushing. In August 1795, Commander John Edwards took over, and Firm was stationed near Leith. She was taken out of service for a short time in February 1796 at Sheerness.
Protecting the River Medway
In September, Commander Horace Pine recommissioned Firm. She was then stationed at Chatham to help protect the River Medway.
The Nore Mutiny
In June 1797, a big event called the Spithead and Nore mutinies happened. This was when sailors protested their conditions. Firm was at Shellness during this time. A leader of the mutiny, Richard Parker, tried to get Firm's crew to join. However, the crew did not join the mutiny. Instead, Firm sailed to Sheerness. She then anchored in a position to act against the mutiny if needed. One of the mutiny leaders was later tried and faced serious consequences aboard Firm.
Later Commands
Commander Patrick Campbell replaced Pine in June 1798. In August 1799, Bulkeley Mackworth Praed became Commander of Firm. The ship then served in the English Channel. From March 1800, Firm was at Sheerness, with Praed still in command.
What Happened to HMS Firm?
In March 1802, Firm was officially taken out of service. Commander Praed was promoted to a higher rank in April 1802. Firm was later sold on March 30, 1803, for £525.
