HMS Wolverine (1863) facts for kids
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HMS Wolverine, Sydney, July 1881.
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | HMS Wolverine (also HMS Wolverene) |
| Builder | Woolwich Dockyard |
| Laid down | 14 April 1859 |
| Launched | 29 August 1863 |
| Fate | Given to Colony of New South Wales. |
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| Name | Wolverine |
| Owner | Colony of New South Wales |
| Homeport | Sydney |
| Fate | Sold to Peter Ellison, Sydney for £2200. |
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| Name | Wolverine |
| Fate | Scrapped and hulk burnt. |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Jason-class corvette |
| Displacement | 2,416 tons (as completed) |
| Tons burthen | 1,703 bm |
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| Beam | 40 ft 8 in (12.4 m) (overall) |
| Draught |
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| Depth of hold | 24 ft 2 in (7.4 m) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Speed | 11.3 knots (20.9 km/h) |
| Complement | c.250 |
| Armament |
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HMS Wolverine (sometimes called HMS Wolverene) was a cool wooden warship. She was a three-masted screw corvette built for the Royal Navy. A corvette is a type of small warship. Later, she became the main ship, or flagship, at the Australia Station. Eventually, she was given to the Colony of New South Wales to be a training ship. She helped teach sailors for the New South Wales Naval Brigade and the New South Wales Naval Artillery Volunteers.
Contents
The Ship's Journey and Service
HMS Wolverine was built at the Woolwich Dockyard in England. She was launched on August 29, 1863. This means she was put into the water for the first time.
Early Years and Rescue Mission
In the 1860s and early 1870s, Wolverine served in the North America and West Indies Station. This was a naval base in the Caribbean Sea. In 1872, Wolverine helped rescue another ship. The Sultan of Zanzibar's warship, El Majidi, had been pushed onto the shore by a big storm called a cyclone. Wolverine helped to get her back into the water.
Flagship in Australia
On September 7, 1875, Wolverine became the main ship for the Australia Station. This was an important role for the ship. Commodore Anthony Hoskins was in charge of her at this time. In May 1880, Wolverine accidentally got stuck in the River Tamar. But she was soon able to float free again.
Royal Visit and Scientific Trip
In 1881, Wolverine was part of a special event. Two young princes, Albert and George (who later became King George V), were on a world cruise for naval training. Wolverine left Sydney Harbour at the same time as their squadron on August 10, 1881.
The ship was heading to Brisbane and then to New Guinea. A scientist named Nicholas Miklouho-Maclay traveled to New Guinea on this trip. He and a Reverend named James Chalmers helped to stop the destruction of a village. They prevented the navy from destroying the entire native village of Kalo. This was after some missionaries had been killed there.
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Becoming a Training Ship
Wolverine's time as an active warship ended in 1882. She was replaced by HMS Nelson and was taken out of service in Sydney. The ship was then given to the Colony of New South Wales. She became a training ship for the New South Wales Naval Brigade and Naval Artillery Volunteers. She helped train sailors by pretending to fight "enemy" ships and "attacking" forts.
What Happened to Wolverine?
The ship was officially taken out of service in 1892. In August 1893, she was sold to a company in Sydney for £2,200. Her engines were removed, and she was used as a hulk. A hulk is an old ship that is no longer used for sailing but serves other purposes.
Later, Wolverine was refitted and changed into a barque. This is a type of sailing ship. She started working as a merchant vessel, carrying goods. On a trip from Sydney to Liverpool, England, she started leaking. She had to return to Auckland for repairs. However, when she was inspected, she was found to be too damaged to be fixed. She was then sold for £1,000.
The End of the Ship
Finally, Wolverine was partly taken apart for her materials. Her remaining hull was burned.
