PS Ripon facts for kids
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|} The PS Ripon was a large paddlesteamer ship built in 1846. It was made for the P&O company, which was a big shipping line. The Ripon was named after the city of Ripon in Yorkshire, England. It sailed mostly between the Mediterranean Sea and the United Kingdom.
Contents
- First Voyage and Repairs
- Special Passengers and Animals
- War Service and Changes
- The End of the Ripon
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
|
| Name | PS Ripon |
| Namesake | Ripon, a city in Yorkshire, England |
| Owner |
|
| Route | Mediterranean Sea to the UK |
| Builder | Money Wigram and Sons, Blackwall |
| Cost | £66,000 |
| Launched | 27 June 1846 |
| Homeport | London |
| Fate | Scuttled at sea off Port of Spain in 1880. |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Paddlesteamer |
| Tonnage | 1,508 GRT |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 33.9 ft (10.3 m) |
| Depth | 28.4 ft (8.7 m) |
| Decks | 4 |
| Installed power |
|
| Complement |
|
| Crew | 60 |
The Ripon's Journeys
The Ripon had many interesting trips during its time.
First Voyage and Repairs
The ship's very first journey was on 12 October 1847. It was supposed to go to Malta and Alexandria. But strong winds, like a big storm, damaged the ship. So, it had to stop in Torbay to get fixed before continuing its travels.
Special Passengers and Animals
In 1850, the Ripon carried an important visitor. This was Jung Bahadur Rana, who was the Prime Minister of Nepal. He traveled with his group to the United Kingdom. They arrived at the port of Southampton on 25 May 1850.
The ship also carried a special cargo of wild animals. Among them was the first hippopotamus seen in England since Roman times! This hippopotamus became very famous and was known as the Regent's Park Hippo.
War Service and Changes
In 1854, the Ripon was needed for the Crimean War. It was one of 12 ships from the P&O company that helped during the war.
Later, in 1857, there were talks about changing the Ripon to use a propeller instead of paddle wheels. In 1864, the PS Ripon brought an important Italian general, Giuseppe Garibaldi, to the United Kingdom. He came to meet with the British Prime Minister, Henry Palmerston.
Three years later, in 1870, the Ripon's engines were sold. The ship was then changed into a brig, which is a type of sailing ship. This work was done by Caird & Co in Greenock.
The End of the Ripon
In 1880, the Ripon was no longer used as a regular ship. It served as a "hulk" in Trinidad and Tobago. A hulk is an old ship that is used as a floating storage or base. Finally, in 1880, the Ripon was sunk on purpose at sea near Port of Spain.
