Arrow class gunvessel
Encyclopedia
The Arrow class comprised six second-class screw-driven vessels built as despatch vessels for the Royal Navy
in 1854, mounting 6 guns. In 1856 they were redesignated as second-class gunvessels.
sparked a sudden need for shallow-draught, manoeuvrable vessels for inshore work in the Baltic
and the Black Sea
. The Arrow class of six wooden-hulled screw steamers were built during 1854 to a design by the Surveyor’s Department. Construction was undertaken at two commercial yards on the Thames
, R & H Green at Blackwall Yard
and C J Mare & Company
, at Leamouth
. Two further designs of Crimean War gunvessel were ordered during 1855, the Intrepid class
and the Vigilant class
, and in 1856 the six Arrow-class despatch vessels were re-classed as second-class gunvessels.
weighing 95 long cwt (4,826.2 kg) on pivot mounts, and four 32-pounder 25 long cwt (1,270.1 kg) guns.
on completion, and the others of the class to the Black Sea
where they took part in the Crimean War
. The Lancaster guns were not entirely successful and the class had their armament reduced, being employed in their original designation as despatch vessels.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
in 1854, mounting 6 guns. In 1856 they were redesignated as second-class gunvessels.
Design
The Crimean WarCrimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
sparked a sudden need for shallow-draught, manoeuvrable vessels for inshore work in the Baltic
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
and the Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
. The Arrow class of six wooden-hulled screw steamers were built during 1854 to a design by the Surveyor’s Department. Construction was undertaken at two commercial yards on the Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
, R & H Green at Blackwall Yard
Blackwall Yard
Blackwall Yard was a shipyard on the Thames at Blackwall, London, engaged in ship building and later ship repairs for over 350 years. The yard closed in 1987...
and C J Mare & Company
Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company
The Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company, Limited was a shipyard and iron works straddling the mouth of Bow Creek at its confluence with the River Thames, at Leamouth Wharf on the west side and at Canning Town on the east side...
, at Leamouth
Leamouth
Leamouth is the area to the west of the mouth of the River Lea at the River Thames at . The northern part of the area lies within a meander of the Lea; the southern part is bounded in the west by the former East India Docks, on two sides by the Lea and by the River Thames to the south...
. Two further designs of Crimean War gunvessel were ordered during 1855, the Intrepid class
Intrepid class gunvessel
Intrepid-class gunvessels were a class of six Royal Navy first-class wooden gunvessels built in 1855-56. They were rated as sloops from 1859 to 1862,Except Victor, which remained a gunvessel throughout the period and were scrapped by 1865...
and the Vigilant class
Vigilant class gunvessel
The Vigilant-class gunvessel of the Royal Navy was an enlarged version of the Arrow-class gunvessel of 1854. Both classes were designed for shallow-water operations in the Baltic and Black Seas during the Crimean War. Fourteen of the class were completed, but were ready too late to take part in...
, and in 1856 the six Arrow-class despatch vessels were re-classed as second-class gunvessels.
Propulsion
A two-cylinder horizontal single expansion steam engine provided 160 hp through a single screw.Armament
The Arrow class were provided with two 68-pounder Lancaster muzzle-loading rifles68-Pounder Lancaster gun
68-Pounder Lancaster guns were a rifled muzzle-loading cannon that fired a 68 pound shell. They were fitted in pairs to the Arrow-class gunvessel. The cannon was designed with an oval bore and had a range of about 6500 yards. The gun suffered from a tendency to burst....
weighing 95 long cwt (4,826.2 kg) on pivot mounts, and four 32-pounder 25 long cwt (1,270.1 kg) guns.
Ships
| Name | Ship Builder | |Launched | |Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| C J Mare & Company, Leamouth | 26 June 1854 | Hull sold to Marshall on 19 May 1862 | |
| C J Mare & Company, Leamouth | 20 July 1854 | Sold at Hong Kong on 16 July 1863, became the Japanese Kanko. Broken up 1889 | |
| C J Mare & Company, Leamouth | 22 July 1854 | Sold to Marshall on 19 May 1862 for breaking at Plymouth | |
| C J Mare & Company, Leamouth | 6 September 1854 | Sold to Marshall, Plymouth in 1864 | |
| R & H Green, Blackwall Yard | 23 July 1854 | Sold to Marshall on 19 May 1862 for breaking at Plymouth | |
| R & H Green, Blackwall Yard | 19 June 1854 | Broken up by Castle at Charlton in May 1866 |
Operational Lives
Wrangler was sent to the BalticBaltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
on completion, and the others of the class to the Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
where they took part in the Crimean War
Crimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
. The Lancaster guns were not entirely successful and the class had their armament reduced, being employed in their original designation as despatch vessels.