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HMS Galatea (1859) facts for kids

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StateLibQld 1 254247 Three masted sailing ship H.M.S. Galatea, ca. 1868.jpg
HMS Galatea pictured around 1868.
Quick facts for kids
History
Royal Navy EnsignUnited Kingdom
Name HMS Galatea
Ordered 9 April 1856
Builder
Laid down 2 February 1857
Launched 14 September 1859
Completed By February 1862
Fate Broken up in June 1883
General characteristics
Class and type Jason-class corvette
Displacement 4,686 tons
Tons burthen 3,227 bm
Length
  • 280 ft (85.3 m) (overall)
  • 245 ft 8 in (74.9 m) (keel)
Beam 50 ft (15.2 m)
Depth of hold 19 ft 4 in (5.89 m)
Propulsion
  • Sails
  • 2-cyl. horizontal single expansion
  • Rectangular boilers
  • Single screw
  • 800 nhp
  • 3,061 ihp = 11.796 kn
Sail plan Full-rigged ship
Complement 450
Armament
  • Middle deck: 24 × 10 in (85 cwt) MLSB shell guns (broadside)
  • Upper deck: 2 x 68 pdr (65 cwt) MLSB (pivot-mounted)
  • Later replaced by slide-mounted 110 pdr Armstrong BLs

HMS Galatea was a large, fast sailing ship that also had a steam engine. It was built for the Royal Navy in 1859. This type of ship was called a "screw frigate" because it used both sails and a propeller (screw) powered by a steam engine. It had 26 guns and was considered a sixth-rate ship. The Galatea served for many years before being taken apart in 1883.

Life at Sea: Galatea's Service

The Galatea began its service in 1862. Its first job was with the Channel Squadron, a group of ships that protected the waters around Britain.

Adventures in Europe and Beyond

After its time in the Channel, the Galatea sailed to the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. From 1863 to 1865, it was stationed in the North America and West Indies Station. This meant it spent time in places like Bermuda and Halifax.

Helping Out in Haiti

In November 1865, the Galatea and another ship, HMS Lily, were involved in an event in Cap-Haïtien, a city in Haiti. They helped government troops by firing at the forts that protected the harbor. This action happened after some local forces had attacked the British Consulate.

A Royal World Tour

In 1866, after getting some repairs, the Galatea went on an amazing trip around the world! It was commanded by Prince Alfred, who was the Duke of Edinburgh and a son of Queen Victoria. This journey was a big event and showed off the power of the British Navy.

Minor Incidents and Repairs

While on its travels, the Galatea had a small accident on November 2, 1868. It ran aground (got stuck on the seabed) in Plymouth Sound and was damaged. It took several days to fix the ship. Later, in 1870, while in Sydney, Australia, the Galatea was repaired at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

Henry A. Luscombe - The Opening of the New Eddystone Lighthouse by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, 18 May 1882 PLYMG.1920.250
This painting shows the opening of the new Eddystone Lighthouse by Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh, on May 18, 1882. The Galatea helped him get there.

A Special Trip to the Lighthouse

In May 1882, the Galatea had another important job. It carried the Duke of Edinburgh to the official opening of the new Eddystone Light. This famous lighthouse is off the coast of Cornwall, England.

Images for kids

  • The Galatea Waltz (BM 1922,0710.270)

    Prince Alfred on the Galatea

  • SLNSW 479645 142 HMS Galatea in Farm Cove

    HMS Galatea in Farm Cove, Sydney, around 1870. Government House is on the left.

  • SLNSW 479655 151 HMS Galatea1 SH 261

    HMS Galatea in Port Jackson, Sydney, around 1870.

  • HMS Galatea (black and white)

    A photograph of Galatea, alongside HMS Challenger.

  • John O'Brien - HMS Galatea, in a Heavy Sea, 1888

    A painting of HMS Galatea in a heavy sea by artist John O'Brien, painted around 1888.

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