HMS Surly (1806) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Surly |
| Ordered | 29 March 1806 |
| Builder | Joseph Johnson, Dover |
| Laid down | July 1806 |
| Launched | 15 November 1806 |
| Commissioned | 12 December 1806 |
| Reclassified | Lighter 1833–1837 |
| Fate | Sold out of service, January 1837 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Cheerful-class cutter |
| Tons burthen | 13739⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 23 feet 6 inches (7.16 m) |
| Depth of hold | 10 feet (3 m) |
| Complement | 50 men |
| Armament |
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HMS Surly was a small but important ship. She was a cutter from the Cheerful-class, built in 1806. This ship carried 12 guns and served during the Napoleonic Wars. She helped capture a French privateer ship in 1809.
Later, in 1825, Surly helped move money between Dublin and London. She also assisted local authorities during a time when sailors were protesting for better pay. Her duties helping the authorities continued into 1827. Surly then served along the Scottish coast. She also patrolled the Thames Estuary to stop smuggling. In 1833, she was changed into a lighter, which is a type of barge. She was sold in 1837.
About the Surly
The Cheerful-class cutters were designed in 1806. They were created by Sir John Henslow, who was a top designer for the Royal Navy. These ships had twelve guns. They carried two 4-pounder cannons and ten 12-pounder carronades. These guns were on the main deck.
The Surly was about 63 feet (19 m) long on her main deck. Her keel (the bottom part of the ship) was 46 feet 9+3⁄8 inches (14.259 m) long. The ship was 23 feet 6 inches (7.16 m) wide across its beam. The depth inside her hold was 10 feet (3 m). She weighed about 137 tons and needed a crew of 50 sailors.
The order to build Surly was given on March 29, 1806. She was built by Joseph Johnson in Dover, England. Her construction started in July 1806. The ship was officially launched on November 15, 1806. She was then prepared for service between November 1806 and May 1807. This work happened at the Royal Navy's Sheerness Dockyard.
Surly's Time in Service
Surly officially joined the Royal Navy on December 12, 1806. Her first captain was Lieutenant Peter Crawford. She served in the North Sea area. On February 1, 1809, under Lieutenant Richard Welch, she helped capture a French privateer. This French ship was called L'Alcide and had 4 guns. This happened near Granville, Manche, with help from two other British ships, Firm and Sharpshooter.
Later, Lieutenant Mark Lucas commanded Surly from September 1815. From May 1816, Lieutenant John Hill took command. Lieutenant Henry Smith Wilson also commanded her around this time. Surly was taken out of active service in September 1818. After that, her guns were reduced to eight. She was then based at the Nore.
Helping with Public Order
Surly was later commanded by Lieutenant Joseph Chappell Woollnough. In August and September 1825, she was used to move large amounts of money. She carried over £95,000 in coins between London and Dublin. Soon after, Lieutenant Woollnough took Surly up the River Wear. She was there to help local officials keep order. Sailors in the area were protesting for higher wages. They were stopping ships from leaving the port.
Lieutenant Woollnough and Surly stayed on this duty until October 1826. The people and ship owners in the area were very happy with his service. They wrote to the head of the navy, Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville, to praise Woollnough. Because of his good work, Surly and her commander were sent to a similar duty. This time, they went to Shields on the River Tyne.
While there, Woollnough was also given command of a group of Royal Marines. He used Surly and her crew to map the harbor and areas around Sunderland. He found dangerous rocks that were not on the maps. For this, he was praised by Prince William Henry, The Duke of Clarence, who was a high-ranking naval officer.
Surly then served along the Scottish coast. In the winter of 1827, she was moved to the Thames Estuary. Her new job was to stop smuggling. Woollnough also commanded another cutter, Asp, for these patrols. His patrols greatly reduced smuggling in the area. He also used his time to write down his actions and ideas for future operations.
Final Years
Surly had some repairs between May and August 1826. From July 1828, Lieutenant Usherwood commanded her at the Nore station. From July 1830 to June 1831, Lieutenant Horatio James was her commander.
She was changed into a lighter at Chatham Dockyard. This work happened between December 1832 and February 1833. A lighter is a flat-bottomed boat used to move goods. Surly was sold from service in Chatham in January 1837 for £400.
