View source for HMS Gorgon (1837)

{{short description|Sloop of the Royal Navy}}
{{other ships|HMS Gorgon}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=Gorgon.jpg
|Ship caption=HMS ''Gorgon'' by [[Oswald Walters Brierly|Sir Oswald Walters Brierly]].
}}
{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=[[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United&nbsp;Kingdom]]
|Ship flag=[[File:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|60px|Royal Navy Ensign]]
|Ship name=HMS ''Gorgon''
|Ship ordered=10 July 1834<ref name=RW>Winfield, p.159</ref>
|Ship builder=Royal Dockyard, [[Pembroke Dock]]<ref>''[[The Times]] (London)'', Tuesday, 19 September 1837, p.1</ref>
|Ship laid down=July 1836<ref name=RW/>
|Ship launched=31 August 1837
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=30 August 1838<ref name=RW/>
|Ship decommissioned=11 February 1864
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship honours=
|Ship captured=
|Ship fate=Sold for breaking on 17 October 1864<ref name=RW/>
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship type=Steam vessel (later, first-class sloop)
|Ship tons burthen= 1108 <small>67/94</small> [[Builder's Old Measurement|bm]]<ref name=RW/>
|Ship displacement={{convert|1610|LT|t}}
|Ship length=*{{convert|235|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} (overall)
*{{convert|152|ft|2|in|m|1|abbr=on}} (keel)<ref name=RW/>
|Ship beam={{convert|37|ft|6|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|16|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}<ref>''[[The Times]] (London)'', Monday, 23 May 1859, p.11</ref>
|Ship hold depth={{convert|23|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=RW/>
|Ship sail plan=[[Schooner]] (later [[brig]])<ref name=RW/>
|Ship power={{convert|800|ihp|lk=in|abbr=on}}<ref name=RW/>
|Ship propulsion=*2-cylinder direct-acting steam engine
*4 flue boilers
*{{convert|27|ft|m|1|adj=on|abbr=on}} [[Paddle steamer|Paddles]]
|Ship speed={{convert|9.5|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name=RW/>
|Ship complement=160
|Ship armament=*6 guns:
*''As built:''
*2 × pivot-mounted 10-inch (84 cwt) guns
*2 × 68-pdr (64 cwt) guns
*2 × 42-pdr (22 cwt) [[carronade]]s
*''By 1856:''
*1 × pivot-mounted 10-inch (84 cwt) gun
*1 × pivot-mounted 68-pdr (64 cwt) gun
*4 × 32-pdr (42 cwt) guns
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
'''HMS ''Gorgon''''' was a wooden steam paddle [[sloop-of-war|sloop]] of 6 guns, launched in 1837. In 1840 she took part in the [[Egyptian–Ottoman War (1839–1841)#Bombardment of Acre|bombardment of Acre]], and in 1843 was part of the Royal Navy squadron stationed in the River Plate during the [[Uruguayan Civil War]]. She was converted to a troopship and in 1858 assisted {{HMS|Agamemnon|1852|2}} in the laying of the first [[transatlantic telegraph cable]]. She was sold for breaking in 1864.

==Design and construction==
''Gorgon'' was designed by [[William Symonds|Sir William Symonds]] and was the first vessel to be fitted with direct-acting engines. She was [[teak]] built with [[oak]] main beams, had a displacement of {{convert|1610|LT|t}}, and her paddle wheels were {{convert|27|ft|m}} in diameter. She was laid down at Pembroke Royal Dockyard in July 1836 and launched on 31 August 1837.<ref name=RW/>

===Engines===
Gorgon's had two engines of 160 horse power each, built by [[John Seaward|Seaward and Company]]. It were direct-acting engines, and as such they were a novel construction remarkable for compactness, strength and lightness. It placed the [[crankshaft]] directly above the center line of the [[Cylinder (engine)|cylinders]] and these were connected to the shaft by means of a simple [[connecting rod]]. The absence of the usual cast-iron framing, sway-beams, side-rods and crossheads saved upwards of 60 [[Long ton|tons]] in weight. The absence of the sway beams and cross-head also meant that the vibration of the engines was deemed barely perceptible. The space occupied by the machined was little over half that of side-lever engines of the same power.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/mechanicsmagazi29unkngoog|title=The Mechanics' Magazine|date=1838|publisher=Robertson, London|page=[https://archive.org/details/mechanicsmagazi29unkngoog/page/n201 185]|language=en}}</ref>

For producing steam the Gorgon had four copper boilers. These stood in pairs, and back to back, but nevertheless quite detached from each other. These could be used independently, allowing repairs to be made to some while others were in use. There were 12 fireplaces and two stoke-holes.

The engine room measured 62 feet from the after-bulk-head to the fore bulk-head. The coal boxes of the Gorgon reached along the whole engine room and were 8 feet wide on average. They allowed for storage of 400 tons of coals, or 16 days steaming.

===Armament===
Gorgon served with an armament of six heavy guns, but this was not according to design. The original design was for her to have a gun deck with 12 [[32-pounder 56 cwt|32 pdrs 56cwt]], 4 more 32 pdrs 56cwt on the upper deck, and two 10-inch 96 pdrs on swivel beds fore and aft.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/mechanicsmagazi29unkngoog|title=The Mechanics' Magazine|date=1838|publisher=Robertson, London|page=[https://archive.org/details/mechanicsmagazi29unkngoog/page/n152 186]|language=en}}</ref> After Gorgon was launched and equipped, it proved that she was so deep into the water that it was necessary to permanently close the ports meant for the guns on the gun deck.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kj1tED52ClEC|title=Army and Navy Chronicle|date=1838|publisher=B. Homans, Washington city|page=244|language=en}}</ref>

In 1847 the Gorgon had on the upper deck: 1 68-pounder 90 cwt, 1 10-inch gun 85 cwt, and 4 [[32-pounder gun|32-pounders 42 cwt gun C]]. On the main deck it was to have 1 32-pounder 56 cwt.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jQMAAAAAMAAJ|title=The Nautical Magazine, Volume 16|date=1847|publisher=Simpkin, Marshall, and Co, London|page=426|language=en}}</ref> Note that the 32-pounders 42 cwt Gun C (first tried in 1838) used on the superstructure was significantly lighter than that of 56 cwt, and there was now supposed to be one gun of 56 cwt on the main deck.

== Service ==
In 1840 ''Gorgon'' saw action with three other paddle sloops, {{HMS|Vesuvius|1839|2}}, {{HMS|Stromboli|1839|2}} and {{HMS|Phoenix|1832|2}}, in the [[Egyptian–Ottoman War (1839–1841)#Bombardment of Acre|bombardment of the city of Acre]] under the command of [[Robert Stopford (Royal Navy officer)|Admiral Robert Stopford]]. At the height of the battle either ''Gorgon'' or the fourth-rate {{HMS|Benbow|1813|6}} fired the shell that destroyed Acre's powder magazine, causing an explosion that greatly weakened the city's defences.<ref>Kahanov 2014, p.152.</ref>

In 1843, during the [[Uruguayan Civil War]], ''Gorgon'' arrived in the [[Río de la Plata|River Plate]] to join the Royal Navy squadron commanded by Commodore [[Sir John Purvis|John Purvis]]. She anchored in the bay as a deterrent to potential attackers. She ran aground in the River Plate on 10 May 1844 but was subsequently refloated.
[[File:Plan of the action of Point Obligado - ILN 1846-0131-0005 (cropped).jpg|thumb|''Gorgon'' in action at the [[Battle of Vuelta de Obligado]] in 1846]]
From 23 February 1854 to 8 May 1854 ''Gorgon'' was commanded by Commander (and Captain) [[Arthur Cumming (Royal Navy officer)|Arthur Cumming]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Peter|title=Captain Authur Cumming RN|url=http://www.pdavis.nl/Cumming.php|access-date=8 September 2010}}</ref> On 15 February 1855, she assisted {{HMS|Caesar|1853|6}} in the refloating of {{HMS|Hecla|1839|6}},<ref name=Hecla>{{cite web |url=http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/18-1900/H/02205.html |title=Hecla, 1839 |publisher=P Benyon |access-date=12 June 2019 |archive-date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810144747/http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/18-1900/H/02205.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=Times090355>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Naval and Military Intelligence |date=9 March 1855 |page=12 |issue=21997 |column=D-E }}</ref> which had run aground at [[Gibraltar]] on 23 January.<ref name=Times020255a>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Ship News |date=2 February 1855 |page=9 |issue=21967 |column=F }}</ref> On 23 July, she collided with the Prussian [[barque]] ''Mentor'' in the [[English Channel]] off [[Beachy Head]], [[Sussex]]. ''Mentor'' was severely damaged; she was towed in to [[The Downs (ship anchorage)|The Downs]] in a waterlogged condition.<ref name=MC240755>{{Cite news |title=Shipping |newspaper=The Morning Chronicle |location=London |date=24 July 1855 |issue=27636 }}</ref><ref name=S240755>{{Cite news |title=Ship News |newspaper=The Standard |location=London |date=24 July 1855 |issue=9659 }}</ref>

From August 1856 – June 1857 HMS Gorgon was at Boudroum (modern Bodrum) under Captain George William Towsey, commissioned to transport the finds from Sir Charles Thomas Newton's excavation at the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos to the British Museum.<ref>Journals and letters of Sir Charles Thomas Newton, British Museum library</ref>
[[File:The Niagara, Valorous, Gordon and Agamemnon laying the cable at mid-ocean RMG PU6212.tiff|thumb|The Niagara, Valorous, Gorgon (misspelt Gordon) and Agamemnon laying the [[Transatlantic telegraph cable]] at mid-ocean in 1858]]
In 1858 ''Gorgon'' assisted in the laying of the first [[transatlantic telegraph cable]] by taking [[Depth sounding|soundings]] for the former warship [[HMS Agamemnon (1852)|HMS ''Agamemnon'']], which had been converted into a [[cable ship]]. When the cable link was completed to [[New York City|New York]], the crew of the ''Gorgon'' and the other ships were feted by civic receptions and processions through the city.<ref>''[[The Times]]'' of London, Monday, 20 September 1858, p.7</ref>

''Gorgon'' was despatched to [[Madagascar]] in 1863 to keep the peace on the death of [[Radama II of Madagascar|King Radama II]].<ref name="Times">''[[The Times]] (London)'', Wednesday, 3 February 1864, p.9</ref> She returned via the [[Cape of Good Hope]], arriving at [[Spithead]] on 29 January 1864. She discharged her ammunition and guns at the [[Royal Arsenal]], was paid out of commission on 11 February.<ref>''[[The Times]] (London)'', Thursday, 11 February 1864, p.12</ref>

Despite being decommissioned, ''Gorgon'' had one last mission. The vessel was towed to [[Greenhithe, Kent|Greenhithe]] on 6 May 1864 to act as a receiving hulk for the crew of [[HMY Victoria and Albert (1843)|HMS ''Osborne'']], seven of whom had acquired [[smallpox]].<ref>''[[The Times]] (London)'', Saturday, 7 May 1864, p.9</ref> The ship was ultimately dismantled at [[Woolwich]].<ref>''[[The Times]] (London)'', Saturday, 30 January 1864, p.12</ref> She was sold to Charlton for breaking on 17 October 1864.<ref name=RW/>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Cite Colledge2006}}
* {{Citation  | first = Sir Astley | last = Cooper Key  | author-link = Astley Cooper Key  | title = A Narrative of the Recovery of the HMS Gorgon  | place = [[London]]  | publisher = Smith, Elder & Co.  | year = 1847  | isbn = 1-84150-801-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/anarrativerecov01keygoog/page/n7}}
* {{Citation  | first = Bernard | last = Dumpleton  | title = The Story of the Paddle Steamer  | place = [[Bristol]]  | page = 174  | publisher = Intellect Books  | year = 2002  | isbn = 1-84150-801-2 }}
* {{Citation| last1  = Kahanov| first1 = Yaacov| last2  = Stern| first2 = Eliezer| last3  = Cvikel| first3 = Deborah| last4  = Me-Bar| first4 = Yoav| title   = Between Shoal and Wall: The naval bombardment of Akko, 1840| journal = The Mariner's Mirror| volume  = 100| issue   = 2| pages   = 147–167| year = 2014| doi = 10.1080/00253359.2014.901699| s2cid = 110466181}}
* {{winfield}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|HMS Gorgon (ship, 1837)}}
* [http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/18-1900/G/02026.html Naval database: Gorgon, 1837] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917073504/http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/18-1900/G/02026.html |date=17 September 2016 }}

{{Royal Navy paddle sloops}}
{{1844 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gorgon}}
[[Category:Paddle sloops of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built in Pembroke Dock]]
[[Category:1837 ships]]
[[Category:Victorian-era sloops of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Crimean War naval ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in May 1844]]