HMS Medea (1833) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Medea |
| Ordered | 12 January 1831 |
| Builder | Woolwich Dockyard |
| Cost | £35,961 |
| Laid down | April 1831 |
| Launched | 2 September 1833 |
| Completed | 3 April 1834 |
| Commissioned | 30 January 1834 |
| Honours and awards |
Syrian Coast 1840 |
| Fate | Broken up at Portsmouth in January 1867 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Paddle sloop |
| Displacement | 1,142 tons |
| Tons burthen | 835 bm |
| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Draught |
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| Depth of hold | 20 ft (6.1 m) |
| Propulsion |
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| Sail plan | Schooner rig, later changed to barquentine |
| Speed | 10.6 knots (19.6 km/h) (under steam) |
| Complement | 135 |
| Armament |
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HMS Medea was one of the very first steam-powered ships built for the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. She was ordered in 1831 and launched in 1833. Medea was a special type of ship called a "paddle sloop," meaning she used large paddles on her sides to move through the water, along with sails.
She was designed by Oliver Lang, a master shipbuilder at Woolwich Dockyard. Medea was involved in important events like the Syrian Coast Campaign in 1840. After many years of service, she was taken apart in 1867.
Medea was the fifth ship in the Royal Navy to carry this name. The name "Medea" had been used before for a French ship captured by the British in 1744.
Building and Features of HMS Medea
HMS Medea started being built in April 1832 at Woolwich Dockyard. She was officially launched into the water on September 2, 1833. The ship was about 179 feet (54.6 meters) long on her main deck.
Her maximum width was about 31 feet (9.7 meters). The ship weighed about 1,142 tons.
How Medea Moved: Engines and Sails
Medea was powered by steam engines made by John Penn & Sons. She had two large boilers and a two-cylinder engine. This engine could produce 350 horsepower. In 1846, her engine was updated to a more powerful four-cylinder engine.
When tested, her steam engine could make the ship go up to 10.6 knots (about 19.6 kilometers per hour). This was quite fast for a steamship at the time! She also had sails, first a schooner rig, then later a barquentine rig, to help her travel further and save coal.
Medea's Weapons
When first built, Medea carried two large 10-inch guns that could turn on a pivot, meaning they could shoot in different directions. She also had two (later four) 32-pounder guns.
In 1862, one of her 10-inch guns was replaced with a newer, more advanced 7-inch gun. This new gun was known as the 100 or 110-pounder.
The total cost to build Medea, including her machinery, was about £35,961.
Medea's Time at Sea: Her Missions
HMS Medea served the Royal Navy for many years, traveling to different parts of the world. She had several "commissions," which means periods of active service.
First Missions: Mediterranean and West Indies
Medea began her first mission on January 30, 1834. She sailed to the Mediterranean Sea, an important area for trade and naval power. She returned home in October 1837.
Her second mission started in February 1838. This time, she went to the North America and West Indies Station. This area included the St. Lawrence River in Canada. She came back to England in November 1839.
Important Missions: Syrian Coast and Precious Cargo
In August 1840, Medea started her third mission, again in the Mediterranean. She was part of operations along the Syrian coast and helped blockade the port of Alexandria.
After these duties, she sailed to Greece to pick up the famous Xanthian Marbles. These ancient marble artworks had been discovered in Greece and were being brought to the British Museum in London. She completed this mission in May 1845.
Global Journeys: East Indies and the Koh-i-Noor Diamond
After getting a new engine, Medea started her fourth mission in November 1846. She traveled all the way to the East Indies and China Station. This was a very long journey!
While there, in September 1849, she even fought against five pirate ships. In July 1850, she returned to England carrying a very famous item: the Koh-i-Noor diamond. This diamond is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world. After this, she underwent repairs.
Final Years of Service
Medea's fifth mission began in December 1852, taking her back to the North America and West Indies Station. During this time, she accidentally ran aground (got stuck) near Spurn Point in December 1853 but was refloated and repaired.
Her last mission started in September 1861, once again serving in North America and the West Indies. She returned to Portsmouth for the final time in June 1865.
End of Service
After a long and busy career, HMS Medea was inspected and declared too old for service in December 1866. She was then taken apart (broken up) in January 1867 at Portsmouth.
