Hermes-class post ship facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Class overview
Name:	Hermes-class 20-gun ships
Operators:	Royal Navy
Preceded by:	Laurel class
Succeeded by:	Cyrus class
Completed:	4
Lost:	1
Scrapped:	3
General characteristics
Type	Post ship
Tons burthen	507 76⁄94 (as designed)
Length	119 ft (36.3 m) (gundeck) 99 ft 10.625 in (30.4 m) (keel)
Beam	30 ft 11 in (9.4 m)
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Complement	135
Armament	Hermes & Myrmidon (20-guns) Upperdeck: 18 × 32-pounder carronades + 2 × 9-pounder guns Ariadne & Valorous (26-guns) Upperdeck: 18 × 32-pounder carronades QD: 6 × 18-pounder carronades Fc: 2 × 9-pounder bow chasers

The Hermes class was a group of four ships built for the British Navy between 1811 and 1816. These ships were designed to carry 20 guns. They were based on an older French ship called Bonne Citoyenne, which the British had captured in 1796.

The ships in this class were built in two slightly different designs. The first two were called "ship-sloops." The last two were later changed to carry more guns.

About the Hermes-Class Ships

The Hermes class ships were quite interesting because they weren't all exactly the same. The first two ships, Hermes and Myrmidon, were built as 20-gun ship-sloops. A ship-sloop was a smaller warship with a single deck for guns. They were also "flush-decked," meaning their main deck was flat from front to back.

The last two ships, Valorous and Ariadne, started out similar. However, they were later changed to become 26-gun "sixth-rate" ships. This meant they were bigger and had more guns. They also had extra decks added, called a quarterdeck and a forecastle.

Where These Ships Were Built

The first two ships of the Hermes class were built at Milford Dockyard. This shipyard was located on the north side of Milford Haven in Wales. Hermes was launched in 1811, and Myrmidon followed in 1813.

After these two ships were finished, Milford Dockyard closed down. The next two ships were then built at a new shipyard. This new yard was called Pater Dockyard, which later became Pembroke Dock. It was on the south side of Milford Haven.

Changes to Later Ships

The second pair of ships, Valorous and Ariadne, were both launched on the same day in 1816. Before they went on their first missions, they were modified at Plymouth Dockyard. This happened in 1820 for Valorous and 1821 for Ariadne.

These modifications added a quarterdeck and a forecastle to the ships. Originally, they had a flat, "flush-deck" design. After these changes, they were re-classed as 26-gun "sixth-rate post ships." This meant they were now considered larger, more powerful warships.

Interestingly, the design of the Myrmidon from the Hermes class was later used to create another group of ships. This new group was known as the Cyrus class.

Ships in the Hermes Class

Here are the four ships that were part of the Hermes class:

• HMS Hermes
  • Builder: Milford Dockyard
  • Ordered: January 18, 1810
  • Laid down: May 1810 (This is when construction began)
  • Launched: July 22, 1811 (This is when the ship was put into the water)
  • Completed: September 7, 1811 (This is when the ship was ready for service)
  • Fate: The ship ran aground and was burned during a battle at Mobile in 1814.
• HMS Myrmidon
  • Builder: Milford Dockyard
  • Ordered: August 2, 1811
  • Laid down: July 1812
  • Launched: June 18, 1813
  • Completed: February 6, 1814 at Plymouth Dockyard
  • Fate: The ship was taken apart at Portsmouth in 1823.
• HMS Ariadne
  • Builder: Pater Dockyard
  • Ordered: November 28, 1812
  • Laid down: April 1815
  • Launched: February 10, 1816
  • Completed: March 21, 1816
  • Fate: The ship was sold to be broken up at Alexandria in 1841.
• HMS Valorous
  • Builder: Pater Dockyard
  • Ordered: November 28, 1812
  • Laid down: March 1815
  • Launched: February 10, 1816
  • Completed: March 26, 1816 at Plymouth Dockyard
  • Fate: The ship was taken apart at Chatham in 1829.