HMS Greyhound (1741) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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.svg){kind=small} Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Greyhound |
| Ordered | 5 December 1740 |
| Builder | Thomas Snelgrove, Limehouse |
| Laid down | 26 January 1741 |
| Launched | 19 September 1741 |
| Completed | 10 November 1741 |
| Commissioned | September 1741 |
| Decommissioned | January 1768 |
| Out of service | 5 April 1768 |
| Fate | Sold out of service, April 1768 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 24-gun sixth-rate |
| Tons burthen | 450 55/94 bm |
| Length |
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| Beam | 31 ft 0 in (9.4 m) |
| Depth of hold | 10 ft 2 in (3.1 m) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Sail plan | ship-rigged |
| Complement | 140 (160 from 1745) |
| Armament |
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HMS Greyhound was a speedy warship of the Royal Navy, built for Great Britain in the 1740s. She was known as a "sixth-rate" ship, meaning she was a smaller type of warship with 20 to 24 guns. Greyhound served in important areas like the West Indies and the Caribbean Sea. She had an exciting career, even capturing two enemy ships by herself! After many years of service, she was unfortunately damaged and sold in 1768.
Contents
HMS Greyhound was ordered by the British Royal Navy on December 5, 1740. She was built by Thomas Snelgrove in Limehouse, a famous shipbuilding area in London, England. Building a ship like Greyhound was a big job!
From Plans to Launch
Work on the ship started quickly. Her keel, which is like the backbone of a ship, was laid down on January 26, 1741. This marked the official start of her construction. Just a few months later, on September 19, 1741, Greyhound was launched into the water. This is a special ceremony where the ship touches the water for the first time.
Ready for Action
After launching, the ship still needed to be finished. This included adding her masts, rigging, and all her guns. By November 10, 1741, HMS Greyhound was completed and ready for duty. She was officially put into service, or "commissioned," in September 1741.
What Was a Sixth-Rate Ship?
HMS Greyhound was classified as a "sixth-rate" ship. In the 18th century, the Royal Navy grouped its warships into different "rates" based on their size and the number of guns they carried.
Size and Power
Sixth-rate ships were among the smallest warships in the fleet. They usually had between 20 and 24 guns. Greyhound was armed with 20 large 9-pounder guns on her main deck and two smaller 3-pounder guns on her quarterdeck. These ships were fast and nimble, making them good for scouting, carrying messages, or chasing down smaller enemy ships.
Crew and Design
Greyhound was a full-rigged ship, meaning she had three masts with square sails. This design helped her move quickly across the oceans. She had a crew of about 140 sailors, which later increased to 160. Her measurements were impressive for her time:
- Length: About 33 meters (108 feet) long.
- Width: About 9.4 meters (31 feet) wide.
- Depth: Her hold, the space below deck, was about 3.1 meters (10 feet) deep.
Greyhound's Service and End
After she was built, HMS Greyhound spent many years serving the British Empire. She sailed in important waters, helping to protect trade routes and fight against enemy ships.
Adventures at Sea
Her duties would have included patrolling, escorting merchant ships, and sometimes engaging in battles. One of her most notable achievements was capturing two enemy ships of similar size all by herself. This showed the skill of her crew and the strength of the ship.
Final Days
After more than 25 years of service, HMS Greyhound met her end in January 1768. She was driven ashore in the River Thames near Erith, a town in Kent, England. This likely happened during a storm or due to strong currents. Because of the damage, she was declared "unseaworthy," meaning she was no longer safe or fit to sail. Three months later, in April 1768, she was sold out of service. This marked the end of her long and active career.
