HMS Trident (1845) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
|
| Name | HMS Trident |
| Ordered | 13 April 1843 |
| Builder | Ditchburn & Mare, Leamouth |
| Cost | c. £41,366 |
| Laid down | 1845 |
| Launched | 16 December 1845 |
| Commissioned | 8 August 1846 |
| Fate | Broken up by Castle at Charlton January 1866 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Third-class iron paddle sloop |
| Displacement | 903 tons |
| Tons burthen | 850 26/94 bm |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 31 ft 6 in (9.6 m) |
| Draught | 10 ft 9 in (3.3 m) |
| Depth of hold | 17 ft 3 in (5.3 m) |
| Installed power | 350 nhp |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 9.5 knots (17.6 km/h) under steam |
| Complement | 135 |
| Armament |
|
HMS Trident was a special kind of ship called an iron paddle sloop. It was built for the Royal Navy in 1845. The ship was made by a company called Ditchburn & Mare in Leamouth, London.
Trident sailed in different parts of the world. It served in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of West Africa, and in the South Atlantic Ocean. The ship was taken apart, or "broken up," in 1866.
Building HMS Trident
The idea for Trident started on August 2, 1842. It was meant to be a steam yacht, a type of boat powered by steam. This new ship would replace an older one called HMS Black Eagle.
Trident was a "third-class iron paddle sloop." This means it was a medium-sized warship made of iron and moved by large paddle wheels on its sides. It was the only ship ever built exactly to its unique design. The builders got their plan approved on August 22, 1843. The ship was then launched into the water on December 16, 1845.
Building the hull, which is the main body of the ship, cost about £17,000. The engines and other machinery cost another £17,502. Getting the ship ready to sail, known as "fitting out," cost around £6,864.
How Trident Moved
Trident was first planned to have a different engine. But it ended up with a powerful two-cylinder steam engine made by Boulton, Watt & Co.. This engine was rated at 350 nominal horsepower. It pushed the ship through the water using two large paddle wheels on its sides.
With this engine, Trident could reach a top speed of about 9.5 knots (17.6 km/h) when using its steam power.
Ship's Weapons
Trident was armed with several guns for defense and battle. It had two large 10-inch guns. These guns were very heavy, weighing about 85 hundredweight (cwt) each. The ship also carried two 32-pounder gunnades. Later, two more 32-pounder guns were added, making a total of four.
Trident at Sea
HMS Trident began its service on August 8, 1846. Its first mission was in the Mediterranean Sea.
On September 26, 1849, Trident had a collision with another ship, HMS Dwarf. This happened in the Atlantic Ocean, about 60 nautical miles (110 km) south-east of Old Head of Kinsale in County Cork, Ireland. HMS Dwarf was badly damaged. Trident rescued Dwarf's crew and then pulled the damaged ship to Kinsale.
Between 1852 and 1861, Trident served in two important areas. It was part of the South America Station and also the West Africa Squadron. These squadrons helped protect British interests and stop illegal activities like the slave trade.
Trident finished its service and was taken out of use at Woolwich on December 20, 1864.
End of Service
HMS Trident was taken apart, or "broken up," in January 1866. This work was done by a company called Castle at Charlton.
