HMS Scipio (1782) facts for kids
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Plan of the orlop deck of Scipio
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Quick facts for kids History |
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.svg){kind=small} Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Scipio |
| Ordered | 11 November 1779 |
| Builder | Barnard, Deptford |
| Laid down | January 1780 |
| Launched | 22 October 1782 |
| Fate | Broken up, 1798 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 64-gun third-rate Crown-class ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 1387 (bm) |
| Length | 160 ft 5 in (48.90 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam | 44 ft 10 in (13.67 m) |
| Depth of hold | 19 ft 3.5 in (5.880 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament |
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HMS Scipio was a powerful warship that sailed for the Royal Navy a long time ago. She was a "64-gun ship of the line," which means she carried 64 cannons! These ships were the biggest and strongest warships of their time. They fought in lines during battles.
Scipio was built in a place called Deptford, in England. She was launched on October 22, 1782. This means she was put into the water for the first time on that date. After serving for some years, she was taken apart in 1798. This process is called "broken up."
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About HMS Scipio
HMS Scipio was a very important type of ship. She belonged to the Crown-class of warships. These ships were designed to be strong and fast for their era. They were built to protect Great Britain's interests around the world.
What Kind of Ship Was She?
Scipio was a "third-rate" ship. This term described her size and how many guns she carried. A 64-gun ship like Scipio was a medium-sized warship. She had two main decks where cannons were placed.
Her Powerful Cannons
Her main deck, called the gundeck, held 26 large 24-pounder guns. These fired heavy cannonballs. The upper gundeck had 26 slightly smaller 18-pounder guns. On her quarterdeck and forecastle, she carried lighter guns. These included 4-pounder and 9-pounder cannons. All these guns made her a formidable fighting machine.
How She Sailed
Scipio was a Full-rigged ship. This means she had three masts, each with square sails. These sails used the wind to push the ship through the water. This was the main way ships traveled before engines were invented.
Who Sailed on Scipio?
Many important people served on HMS Scipio during her time. These sailors later became famous for different reasons. They gained valuable experience on board this ship.
Famous Sailors on Board
- Matthew Flinders: He became a famous explorer. He was one of the first to sail all the way around Australia. He also proved that Australia was a continent.
- Francis Laforey: He was a naval officer who rose through the ranks. He later became an admiral.
- John Nicholson Inglefield: He was also a naval officer. He had a long career in the Royal Navy.
- Edward Thornbrough: He became a very respected admiral. He fought in many important naval battles.
These individuals learned a lot about sailing and naval life on ships like Scipio. Their time on board helped shape their future careers.
