HMS Paramour (1694) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 England |
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| Name | HMS Paramour |
| Builder | Fisher Harding, Deptford |
| Launched | April 1694 |
| Fate | Sold on 22 August 1706 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 6-gun pink |
| Tons burthen | 89 bm |
| Length | 64 ft 8 in (19.7 m) |
| Beam | 18 ft (5.5 m) |
| Draught | 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | Approximately 20 |
| Armament | 6 guns |
HMS Paramour was a special ship of the Royal Navy (the British navy). It had 6 guns and was a type of ship called a "pink." This ship is famous because the well-known astronomer Edmond Halley (who discovered Halley's Comet!) was its captain for a short time. He started as a civilian captain and later became a temporary captain.
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Building a Unique Ship
The Paramour was built by a shipbuilder named Fisher Harding in a place called Deptford, England. It was launched in April 1694, meaning it was put into the water for the first time then.
This ship was rigged as a three-masted ship, which means it had three tall poles (masts) to hold its sails. What made the Paramour truly special was that it was the very first ship built specifically for scientific research by the Royal Navy.
A Royal Visitor on Board
During its early tests at sea, a very important person visited the Paramour: Tsar Peter I of Russia. He was the ruler of Russia and was very interested in ships and naval power. He even took the ship's steering wheel (helm) for a short time!
Voyages and New Roles
Edmond Halley commanded the Paramour on three different voyages. These trips were important for scientific exploration.
After these voyages, in 1702, the ship was changed. It was refitted to become a "bomb ketch." This meant it was equipped with a very large cannon called a mortar, used for firing explosive shells.
The Ship's Final Days
The Paramour continued to serve in the Royal Navy as a bomb ketch until August 22, 1706. On that day, it was sold to a person named Captain John Constable. It's believed that he bought the ship to use it for trading goods. What happened to the Paramour after that is not known.
