HMS Merlin (1744) facts for kids
Drawing of the Merlin, 1743
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Quick facts for kids History |
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.svg){kind=small} Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Merlin |
| Ordered | 7 July 1743 |
| Builder | Greville & Whetstone, Limehouse |
| Laid down | 1 August 1743 |
| Launched | 20 March 1744 |
| Completed | 30 March 1744 at Deptford Dockyard |
| Commissioned | February 1744 |
| Decommissioned | July 1748 |
| In service | 1744–1748 |
| Honours and awards |
Battle of Saint-Louis-du-Sud, 1748 |
| Fate | Sold at Plymouth Dockyard, 16 November 1748 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 10-gun Merlin-class sloop-of-war |
| Tons burthen | 271 42⁄94 bm |
| Length |
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| Beam | 26 ft 0 in (7.9 m) |
| Depth of hold | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Sail plan | Two-masted snow rigging |
| Complement | 110 |
| Armament |
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HMS Merlin was a special kind of warship called a sloop-of-war. She had 10 cannons and a unique two-masted sail setup known as "snow rigging." Launched in 1744, she was the very first Royal Navy sloop to carry powerful 6-pounder cannons, which were much stronger than the older 3-pounder guns.
Merlin was known for being fast and well-armed. She played an important role in the Royal Navy during the War of the Austrian Succession, a big conflict happening in Europe at the time. During her four years at sea, she successfully captured five enemy ships. She was also present at the Battle of Saint-Louis-du-Sud in 1748, though her smaller size meant she couldn't join the main attack on the fort. After the war ended, Merlin was taken out of service and sold in November 1748.
Contents
The order to build HMS Merlin was given on 7 July 1743. She was constructed by Greville & Whetstone, a shipbuilding company located in Limehouse, England. Building a ship like Merlin was a big project!
Work on the ship began on 1 August 1743, when her keel (the backbone of the ship) was laid down. Just seven months later, on 20 March 1744, Merlin was officially launched into the water. She was then taken to Deptford Dockyard to be fully completed by 30 March 1744.
Life at Sea: Fighting Privateers
HMS Merlin was put into active service in February 1744. She was a "sloop-of-war," which meant she was a smaller warship often used for scouting, carrying messages, or fighting against smaller enemy vessels. Her main job was to protect British trade routes and hunt down enemy ships.
During the War of the Austrian Succession, Merlin was very busy. She often fought against French privateers. Privateers were like private ships that were given permission by their government to attack and capture enemy merchant ships. Merlin's speed and new 6-pounder cannons made her very effective at this job. Over her four years of service, she managed to capture five of these enemy vessels.
The Battle of Saint-Louis-du-Sud
In 1748, HMS Merlin was part of a major naval operation. This was the Battle of Saint-Louis-du-Sud, which took place in the Caribbean. The British fleet was trying to capture a French fort.
Even though Merlin was present at this important battle, she was too small to join the main attack. Larger warships were needed to bombard the strong fort. Still, her presence showed she was part of the Royal Navy's efforts in this big war.
End of Service
After the War of the Austrian Succession ended, many warships were no longer needed. HMS Merlin was one of them. In July 1748, she was officially taken out of service, a process called "decommissioning." This meant she was no longer an active part of the Royal Navy.
A few months later, on 16 November 1748, HMS Merlin was sold at Plymouth Dockyard. This marked the end of her career as a Royal Navy ship.
