HMS Ocean (1805) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Ocean |
| Ordered | 4 May 1797 |
| Builder | Woolwich Dockyard |
| Laid down | 1 October 1792 |
| Launched | 24 October 1805 |
| Fate | Broken up, 1875 |
| Notes | Depot ship from 1841 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 98-gun second rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 227649⁄94 (bm) |
| Length | 196 ft (60 m)(gundeck) |
| Beam | 51 ft (16 m) |
| Depth of hold | 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament |
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HMS Ocean was a very large sailing warship of the Royal Navy. It was built a long time ago, in the early 1800s. This ship was known as a "second-rate ship of the line" because of its size and the number of powerful guns it carried.
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Meet HMS Ocean
HMS Ocean was a huge warship that sailed for the Royal Navy in the early 1800s. It was a powerful vessel, designed to fight in naval battles. This mighty ship was built at Woolwich Dockyard in England. It was officially launched on October 24, 1805. The ship was designed by a famous ship designer named Sir John Henslow.
What Was a Ship of the Line?
A "ship of the line" was a type of large warship used from the 17th to the mid-19th century. These ships were the most powerful warships of their time. They were called "ships of the line" because they fought by sailing in a line. This allowed them to fire all their cannons at once. HMS Ocean was a "second-rate" ship. This meant it was one of the largest and most powerful ships, carrying 98 guns.
Building a Giant Ship
Building a ship like HMS Ocean was a massive project. It was ordered on May 4, 1797, and construction began on October 1, 1792. It took many years to build such a large wooden ship. When it was finished, it was 196 feet long on its gundeck. It was powered by sails, like all ships of its time. It had many cannons on different decks:
- 28 large 32-pounder cannons on the lowest gundeck.
- 30 18-pounder cannons on the middle gundeck.
- 30 more 18-pounder cannons on the upper gundeck.
- 8 12-pounder cannons on the quarterdeck.
- 2 12-pounder cannons on the forecastle.
That's a total of 98 guns, making it a formidable fighting machine!
Life After Service
HMS Ocean served the Royal Navy for many years. However, as technology changed, large sailing warships became less important. In 1841, HMS Ocean was changed into a "depot ship." A depot ship is like a floating base or storage facility. It would have been used to store supplies or house sailors. The ship was no longer used for fighting battles. Finally, in 1875, HMS Ocean was broken up. This means it was taken apart, and its materials were reused or discarded.
A Piece of History Remains
Even though the ship itself is gone, a part of HMS Ocean still exists today. Its figurehead is preserved. A figurehead is a carved wooden decoration that was placed on the front of a sailing ship. It was often a statue of a person or a mythical creature. The figurehead of HMS Ocean can be seen at Queenborough, a town in Kent, England. It's a cool way to remember this historic ship!
