A 1719 ton masted cruiser of 1871 built at Portsmouth.
Did a considerable amount of good work in settling disputes in
Niger off the west Coast of Africa and in the Pacific islands
during a commission lasting from 1871 to 1876.
Unfortunately caused a terrible loss of life in
Fiji by accidentaly introducing measles to the population after
taking the King of Fiji to Sydney, Australia where a measles epidemic
was raging.
She was used as a Destroyer depot ship during
the First World War.
Sold for scrap 1922.
Duke of Wellington
An 1852 first rate sailing ship with screw propeller.
Hulked in 1863 and became a Harbour service ship at Portsmouth.
Sold for breaking up in 1909.
Excellent
ex Queen Charlotte first rate
of 1810.
Renamed in 1859 and became a gunnery training
ship at Portsmouth.
Broken up in 1892
Lord Warden
A broadside ironclad of 7,842tons built at Chatham
Dockyard 1863 with two 9",14 -8", & 2 -7" guns.
605 crew. She was broken up in 1889
Minotaur
A broadside ironclad built 1863 and spent its early
years testing experimental armaments and rigs before being commissioned
in 1868. she was extensively refitted in 1873-5 with new boilers,
a new propeller and steam steering as well as new armament. This
ship was the first in the Royal Navy to carry a searchlight.
In 1904 she was renamed Boscowen
and became a Training Ship.
Orontes
Troopship of 1866 tons. Sold on 1893-4
Serapis
Troopship of 1862 tons. Sold on 1893-4.
St. Vincent
A first rate built at Plymouth 1815.
Became a training ship for boys at Portsmouth 1862. broken up
1906.
Victory
Nelson great flagship of the Battle of Trafalgar
and still in commission although in dry dock in Portsmouth Dockyard.
When George Rebbeck was serving on her she was
technically a hulk - stripped of sails and moored in Portsmouth
Harbour where she was still a priviledged posting. During World
War 2 the crew of a Royal Navy ship returning after 4 years at
sea around Hong Kong were offered the opportunity of serving aboard
the Victory for 6 weeks or so. There were only 30 places which
were immediately filled and the rest went off on leave somewhat
disappointed.
[This World War II story was told to Susan
Leake by a friend who was one of the lucky ones. He said it was
an honour to be chosen even though they were obliged to sleep
in hammocks and swab the decks].
Woodlark
A wooden gun vessel of the Plover class built
in Chatham Dockyard 1870 and sold in 1881.
Credit for this information
goes to Dick Harld whose charts of Royal Navy Ships have been most
useful and who kindly emailed me with the details above - www.royalnavyhistory.co.uk
