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HMS Russell (1822) facts for kids

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'Armada'-'Conquestadore'-'Vangeur' class (1806) (note- too many ships to fit in the title field) RMG J3307.png
Russell
Quick facts for kids
History
Royal Navy EnsignUnited Kingdom
Name HMS Russell
Builder Deptford Dockyard, England
Laid down August 1814
Launched 22 May 1822
Fate Broken up, 1865
General characteristics
Class and type Vengeur-class ship of the line
Tons burthen 1751 bm
Length 176 ft (54 m) (gundeck)
Beam 47 ft 6 in (14.48 m)
Depth of hold 21 ft (6.4 m)
Propulsion Sails
Sail plan Full-rigged ship
Armament
  • 74 guns:
  • Gundeck: 28 × 32 pdrs
  • Upper gundeck: 28 × 18 pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 4 × 12 pdrs, 10 × 32 pdr carronades
  • Forecastle: 2 × 12 pdrs, 2 × 32 pdr carronades
  • Poop deck: 6 × 18 pdr carronades

HMS Russell was a large warship of the Royal Navy, the navy of the United Kingdom. It was known as a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line. This means it was a powerful sailing ship with 74 cannons, designed to fight in naval battles.

Building a Mighty Warship

HMS Russell was built at the Deptford Dockyard in England. This was a very important place for building ships for the Royal Navy. The ship's construction began in August 1814.

Launching and Design

After many years of work, HMS Russell was officially launched on 22 May 1822. When it was built, it was a full-rigged ship, meaning it had tall masts and many sails to catch the wind. It was designed to be a strong fighting vessel.

Ship's Size and Power

HMS Russell was quite large for its time. It measured about 176 feet (53.6 meters) long on its main gun deck. It carried 74 guns, including heavy 32-pounder cannons on its lower deck and lighter guns on its upper decks. These cannons made it a formidable opponent in battle.

A Ship of Change: Screw Propulsion

In 1855, HMS Russell was updated with new technology. It was fitted with screw propulsion. This meant it had a large propeller, like a giant fan, under the water. This propeller helped the ship move through the water even when there was no wind for its sails.

Why Screw Propulsion Was Important

Adding screw propulsion was a big step for naval ships. Before this, ships relied only on wind power. With a propeller, ships could move more reliably and sometimes faster, especially in calm waters. This made HMS Russell a more modern and versatile warship.

The End of Its Journey

After serving the Royal Navy for many years, HMS Russell was eventually taken out of service. In 1865, the ship was "broken up." This means it was carefully dismantled, and its parts were reused or scrapped. It marked the end of its long and important life as a warship.

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