HMS Rapid (1860) facts for kids
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Sister-ship, HMS Peterel
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Rapid |
| Ordered | 27 March 1858 |
| Builder | Deptford Dockyard |
| Laid down | 18 August 1859 |
| Launched | 29 November 1860 |
| Commissioned | June 1862 |
| Fate | Broken up at Malta in September 1881 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Rosario-class sloop |
| Displacement | 913 tons |
| Length | 160 ft 10 in (49.02 m) |
| Beam | 30 ft 6 in (9.30 m) |
| Draught | 15 ft 10 in (4.83 m) |
| Installed power | 460 indicated horsepower |
| Propulsion |
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| Sail plan |
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| Speed | 9.1 kn (16.9 km/h) under power |
| Complement | 140 |
| Armament |
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HMS Rapid was a special wooden ship from the Royal Navy. It was a type of ship called a sloop, which means it was a smaller warship. It had 11 guns and could move using both sails and a steam engine! The ship was built in 1860 at Deptford Dockyard and served for about 20 years. It was eventually taken apart in 1881.
Contents
Building and Design
The Rosario class ships, like HMS Rapid, were designed in 1858 by a smart naval architect named Isaac Watts. These ships were made of wood and built to carry 11 guns. They also had a full set of sails, like a traditional sailing ship.
HMS Rapid was about 160 feet (48.7 meters) long and 30 feet (9.1 meters) wide. It weighed about 913 tons.
How it Moved: Engine and Sails
HMS Rapid had a special steam engine with two cylinders. This engine powered a single propeller, helping the ship move through the water. It could produce 460 horsepower. This allowed the ship to travel at speeds of up to 9.1 knots (about 16.8 kilometers per hour) when using its engine.
Ship's Guns
When HMS Rapid was first built, it had 11 guns:
- One large 40-pounder Armstrong gun.
- Six 32-pounder guns.
- Four smaller 20-pounder Armstrong guns.
Later, around 1869, the ship's guns were changed. It then carried only three guns:
- One large 7-inch (178 mm) gun.
- Two 40-pounder Armstrong guns.
Service History
HMS Rapid had an interesting career, sailing to different parts of the world.
First Journey: Cape of Good Hope
HMS Rapid started its first journey on June 12, 1862. Commander Charles Jago was in charge. The ship sailed to the Cape of Good Hope Station, which is near the southern tip of Africa. It stayed there until 1866. After this trip, the ship returned to Woolwich, England, in January 1867.
Second Journey: Mediterranean Sea
On May 14, 1868, HMS Rapid began its second journey. Commander Francis Wood took command. This time, the ship sailed to the Mediterranean Sea. While it was there, the ship's sails were changed from a "full ship-rigged" style to a "barque-rigged" style. Also, the number of guns was reduced from eleven to three.
In April 1869, the ship accidentally ran aground (hit the bottom) while entering Malta. Luckily, it wasn't damaged. Later that year, in September, HMS Rapid helped another British ship called Becton get unstuck after it ran aground in Missolonghi, Greece. In October, the Rapid was driven ashore again, and repairs cost £347.
Third Journey: More Mediterranean Adventures
HMS Rapid started its third journey on August 9, 1871, at Malta. Commander Victor Montagu was the captain. In 1875, Commander Seymour Smith took over, but he had to go home due to illness. Commander Adolphus Fitzgeorge replaced him.
In 1878, Commander Charles Penrose-Fitzgerald became the captain. At this time, the ship was stationed near Corfu, an island that had recently become part of Greece. The Armstrong guns on the ship were known to be unreliable and sometimes dangerous to their own crews. Captain Fitzgerald fixed a problem with the large 7.5-ton gun, which couldn't fire to one side because of a stored mast.
One important event happened when HMS Rapid helped people in need. At the request of the British consul, the ship evacuated 180 Christian women and children from villages in Albania. They were moved to Corfu because an attack by Turkish troops was expected. Captain Fitzgerald was first criticized for doing this, but the Navy later confirmed he had followed instructions.
In the autumn of 1878, HMS Rapid went to Malta for its yearly check-up. Then, it was ordered to visit Syria for the winter. In the summer of 1879, the ship was refitted again at Malta, and the crew was changed. For the winter, Rapid was sent to Constantinople (now Istanbul) to act as a guard ship for the British ambassador. Many countries kept a small warship there for this purpose.
What Happened to HMS Rapid?
HMS Rapid finished its service on January 14, 1881, at Malta. In September of the same year, the ship was taken apart there.
