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HMS Infernal (1757)

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History
Royal Navy EnsignUK
NameHMS Infernal
Ordered5 October 1756
BuilderHenry Bird, Northam, Southampton
Laid downNovember 1756
Launched4 July 1757
Completedlist error: <br /> list (help)
11 July 1757 as bomb vessel
20 November 1757 as sloop-of-war
CommissionedApril 1757
DecommissionedMarch 1763
Out of service26 October 1774
FateSold out of service, Deptford Dockyard
General characteristics
Class and typelist error: <br /> list (help)
8-gun Infernal class bomb vessel, 1758-59
16-gun sloop, 1757, 1760-63
Tons burthen307 3994 (bm)
Lengthlist error: <br /> list (help)
91 ft 9 in (28.0 m) (overall)
75 ft 0 in (22.9 m) (gundeck)
Beam27 ft 9 in (8.5 m)
Depth of hold12 ft 1 in (3.7 m)
PropulsionSail
Sail planKetch-rigged sloop
Complement60 (bomb vessel), 110 (sloop)
Armamentlist error: <br /> list (help)
Bomb vessel: 8 x 6pdrs, 12 x 12pdr swivels, 1 x 13 inch mortar, 1 x 10 inch mortar
Sloop: 14 x 6pdrs, 12 x x 12pdr swivels

HMS Infernal was an 8-gun bomb vessel of the Royal Navy, constructed in 1757 and in service until 1763. Designed by Thomas Slade, she was the prototype for six subsequent Infernal class bomb vessels which saw service in the Mediterranean and the West Indies during the Seven Years' War with France. In 1760 she was refitted as a sloop and returned to active service in the Caribbean.[1]

Infernal was paid off at the conclusion of the War in 1763, and sold out of Navy service in 1774.[1]

Construction

Infernal was the first of seven bomb vessels designed by Surveyor of the Navy Thomas Slade to strengthen the Navy's shore bombardment capacity during the Seven Years' War. An Admiralty Order for her construction was issued on 5 October 1756, followed by a contract to master shipwright Henry Bird to build the vessel at the civilian dockyard in Northam, Southampton. Under the contract, Infernal was to be launched within six months, in return for payment of £11.5.0 per ton. Neither requirement was met, though Bird was subsequently engaged to build a second similar vessel, HMS Blast.[2]

Her dimensions were in keeping with other vessels of her class, with an overall length of 91 ft 9 in (28.0 m), a beam of 27 ft 9 in (8.5 m) and measuring 3073994 tons burthen. Construction costs were ₤3,355 with an additional ₤2,082 for fitting out.[1][a]

Infernal was ketch-rigged, and intended for a crew of 60 men. She was initially equipped with eight six-pounder cannons for ship defence, and twelve 12-pounder swivel guns to ward off boarding parties. Slade's design specified that two mortars be installed, one capable of 10-inch shot and the other of 13-inch.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ This equates to a relative value of £651,200 in 2014 terms.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Winfield 2007, p.342
  2. ^ Winfield 2007, pp. 342-343
  3. ^ "Purchasing Power of British Pounds from 1264 to Present". MeasuringWorth. 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2015.

Bibliography

  • Winfield, Rif (2007). British Warships of the Age of Sail 1714–1792: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth. ISBN 9781844157006.