HMS Leopard (1741) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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.svg){kind=small} Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Leopard |
| Ordered | 28 April 1740 |
| Builder | Perry, Blackwall Yard |
| Launched | 30 October 1741 |
| Fate | Broken up, 1761 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 1733 proposals 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 872 |
| Length | 134 ft (40.8 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam | 38 ft 6 in (11.7 m) |
| Depth of hold | 15 ft 9 in (4.8 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament |
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HMS Leopard was a powerful warship built for the Royal Navy a long time ago. It was a '50-gun fourth-rate ship of the line,' which means it carried 50 cannons and was a medium-sized warship of its time. It was launched in 1741 and served for about 20 years before being taken apart.
Contents
What Was HMS Leopard?
HMS Leopard was a type of warship called a 'ship of the line.' These were the biggest and most important warships of their time. They fought in a line formation during battles. The 'fourth rate' part tells us about its size and how many guns it carried. A 50-gun ship like the Leopard was a strong vessel, ready for battle on the high seas.
Building a Warship
The Leopard was built in a famous shipyard called Blackwall Yard in England. It was ordered in 1740 and launched just a year later, on October 30, 1741. This was a quick build for such a large ship back then!
Ship Design and Power
The ship's design followed special rules from the '1719 Establishment.' This was a set of guidelines for building warships to make sure they were strong and effective. The Leopard was 134 feet long and had a beam (width) of about 38 feet.
It was powered by large sails, like a Full-rigged ship, meaning it had three or more masts with square sails. Its main power came from its 50 cannons. These guns were placed on different decks:
- 22 heavy 18-pounder cannons on the main gundeck.
- 22 lighter 9-pounder cannons on the upper gundeck.
- 6 smaller 6-pounder cannons on the quarterdeck and forecastle.
Life of a Ship
After its launch, HMS Leopard became part of the Royal Navy fleet. Warships like the Leopard were used to protect trade routes, explore new lands, and fight in naval battles. They played a big role in the power of Great Britain.
End of Service
HMS Leopard served the Royal Navy for about two decades. By 1761, the ship was old and likely worn out from years of service at sea. It was decided that the ship would be 'broken up,' which means it was taken apart. This was a common way for old wooden warships to end their lives.
