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HMS Unicorn (1824): Difference between revisions

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HMS ''Unicorn'' was built in peacetime at [[Chatham Dockyard]], [[Kent]] and launched in 1824.<ref name="Design">{{Cite web|url=http://www.frigateunicorn.org/on-board/designing-hms-unicorn |title=Designing HMS Unicorn |website=ww.frigateunicorn.org |language=en-GB|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref> This was a transitional period for shipbuilding, as suitable timber was becoming more difficult to obtain, and iron was increasingly available. Under the direction of [[Robert Seppings|Sir Robert Seppings]], then Surveyor of the Royal Navy, ''Unicorn'' was built with diagonal riders made with iron straps and iron "knees" that strengthened the hull.<ref name="Design"/>
HMS ''Unicorn'' was built in peacetime at [[Chatham Dockyard]], [[Kent]] and launched in 1824.<ref name="Design">{{Cite web|url=http://www.frigateunicorn.org/on-board/designing-hms-unicorn |title=Designing HMS Unicorn |website=ww.frigateunicorn.org |language=en-GB|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref> This was a transitional period for shipbuilding, as suitable timber was becoming more difficult to obtain, and iron was increasingly available. Under the direction of [[Robert Seppings|Sir Robert Seppings]], then Surveyor of the Royal Navy, ''Unicorn'' was built with diagonal riders made with iron straps and iron "knees" that strengthened the hull.<ref name="Design"/>


As ''Unicorn'' was built shortly after the naval wars against [[Napoleon]] ended, she was never rigged; she only went to sea for the voyage from Chatham to Dundee, during which she was under tow. A [[superstructure]] was built over her main deck and she was laid up "[[Reserve fleet|in ordinary]]", serving as a [[hulk (ship)|hulk]] and a depot ship for most of the next 140 years. Her lack of active duty left her timbers well preserved, and in the 1960s steps were initiated to convert her to a museum ship. The roof that covers her upper deck is thought to be original, although portions of it were removed in the 1970s, leading conservators to replace the foc'sle roof.<ref name="OH">{{cite web|url=http://www.frigateunicorn.org/hms-unicorn|title=HMS ''Unicorn'': Summary from the Official HMS ''Unicorn'' website|accessdate=15 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615021850/http://www.frigateunicorn.org/hms-unicorn|archive-date=15 June 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/dundees-historic-frigate-unicorn-enclosed-new-building/|title=Dundee's historic Frigate Unicorn could be enclosed in new building|work=Evening Telegraph|access-date=2019-04-22|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.frigateunicorn.org/conservation/recent|title=Recent Conservation|website=HMS Unicorn|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref>
As ''Unicorn'' was built shortly after the naval wars against [[Napoleon]] ended, she was never rigged; she only went to sea for the voyage from Chatham to Dundee, during which she was under tow. A [[superstructure]] was built over her main deck and she was laid up "[[Reserve fleet|in ordinary]]", serving as a [[hulk (ship)|hulk]] and a depot ship for most of the next 140 years. Her lack of active duty left her timbers well preserved, and in the 1960s steps were initiated to convert her to a museum ship. The roof that covers her upper deck is thought to be original, although portions of it were removed in the 1970s, leading conservators to replace the foc'sle roof.<ref name="OH">{{cite web|url=http://www.frigateunicorn.org/hms-unicorn|title=HMS ''Unicorn'': Summary from the Official HMS ''Unicorn'' website|accessdate=15 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615021850/http://www.frigateunicorn.org/hms-unicorn|archive-date=15 June 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/dundees-historic-frigate-unicorn-enclosed-new-building/|title=Dundee's historic Frigate Unicorn could be enclosed in new building| |first=Hannah |last=Dolman |date=14 February 2017 |work=Evening Telegraph|access-date=22 April 2019 |language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.frigateunicorn.org/conservation/recent|title=Recent Conservation|website=HMS Unicorn|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref>


Though steps were taken to restore ''Unicorn''<ref group="n">Including the addition of the totally new bowsprit visible in the picture.</ref> to a similar condition as her sister ship [[HMS Trincomalee|HMS ''Trincomalee'']], this plan has been changed. The ship was found to be the only example of a wooden frigate of her type existing in ordinary, and as a result, the intention is now to preserve her in her current condition.{{Citation needed|date=April 2019}}
Though steps were taken to restore ''Unicorn''<ref group="n">Including the addition of the totally new bowsprit visible in the picture.</ref> to a similar condition as her sister ship [[HMS Trincomalee|HMS ''Trincomalee'']], this plan has been changed. The ship was found to be the only example of a wooden frigate of her type existing in ordinary, and as a result, the intention is now to preserve her in her current condition.{{Citation needed|date=April 2019}}

Revision as of 19:14, 12 August 2020

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Unicorn.

History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Unicorn
OperatorRoyal Navy
Ordered23 July 1817
BuilderRoyal Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, England
Laid downFebruary 1822
Launched30 March 1824
In service1824
Out of service~1964
Refit1824, refit during construction to receiving/barracks vessel
HomeportDundee, Scotland
StatusMuseum ship, Dundee, Scotland
General characteristics
Class and typeModified Leda-class frigate
Tons burthen1077 bm
Length
  • 151 ft 9 in (46.25 m) (lower deck)
  • 125 ft (38 m) (keel)
Beam40 ft 3 in (12.27 m)
Depth of hold12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
Sail planAlthough never given masts, she was planned as a full-rigged ship
RangeCannot move without tow (never rigged)
Complement315
Armament
  • Upper deck: 28 × 18-pounder guns
  • Quarter deck: 14 × 32-pounder carronades
  • Forecastle: 2 × 9-pounder guns, 2 × 32-pounder carronades

HMS Unicorn is a surviving sailing frigate of the successful Leda class, although the original design had been modified by the time that the Unicorn was built, to incorporate a circular stern and "small-timber" system of construction. Listed as part of the National Historic Fleet, Unicorn is now a museum ship in Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom. She is one of the six oldest ships in the world, and considered to be the last intact warship from the age of sail.[1][2]

History

HMS Unicorn was built in peacetime at Chatham Dockyard, Kent and launched in 1824.[3] This was a transitional period for shipbuilding, as suitable timber was becoming more difficult to obtain, and iron was increasingly available. Under the direction of Sir Robert Seppings, then Surveyor of the Royal Navy, Unicorn was built with diagonal riders made with iron straps and iron "knees" that strengthened the hull.[3]

As Unicorn was built shortly after the naval wars against Napoleon ended, she was never rigged; she only went to sea for the voyage from Chatham to Dundee, during which she was under tow. A superstructure was built over her main deck and she was laid up "in ordinary", serving as a hulk and a depot ship for most of the next 140 years. Her lack of active duty left her timbers well preserved, and in the 1960s steps were initiated to convert her to a museum ship. The roof that covers her upper deck is thought to be original, although portions of it were removed in the 1970s, leading conservators to replace the foc'sle roof.[4][5][6]

Though steps were taken to restore Unicorn[n 1] to a similar condition as her sister ship HMS Trincomalee, this plan has been changed. The ship was found to be the only example of a wooden frigate of her type existing in ordinary, and as a result, the intention is now to preserve her in her current condition.[citation needed]

In April 2019, the Unicorn Preservation Society received a National Lottery Resilient Heritage Fund Grant in the amount of £28,900.[1]

Princess Anne is patron of the Unicorn Preservation Society.[7]

  • Unicorn at the bowsprit
    Unicorn at the bowsprit
  • Side view
    Side view
  • Stern view
    Stern view

Notes

  1. ^ Including the addition of the totally new bowsprit visible in the picture.

References

  1. ^ a b "Historic HMS Unicorn gets £29k lottery cash ahead of 200th anniversary". Evening Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  2. ^ Breverton, Terry, 1946- (2010). Breverton's nautical curiosities : a book of the sea. New York: Quercus. ISBN 9781623653200. OCLC 869301594.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b "Designing HMS Unicorn". ww.frigateunicorn.org. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  4. ^ "HMS Unicorn: Summary from the Official HMS Unicorn website". Archived from the original on 15 June 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  5. ^ Dolman, Hannah (14 February 2017). "Dundee's historic Frigate Unicorn could be enclosed in new building". Evening Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 22 April 2019. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  6. ^ "Recent Conservation". HMS Unicorn. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Princess Royal steps on board Dundee's Frigate Unicorn". Dundee Courier. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012.

Footnotes

  • David Lyon and Rif Winfield (2004), The Sail and Steam Navy List: All the Ships of the Royal Navy 1815-1889. Chatham Publishing. ISBN 1-86176-032-9.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to HMS Unicorn (ship, 1824).

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