Vanguard class ship of the line
Encyclopedia
The Vanguard-class ships of the line were a class of two-deck 80-gun second rates, designed for the Royal Navy
by Sir William Symonds
, of which nine were completed as sailing ships of the line, although another two of these were completed as (and others converted into) steam warships.
They were originally planned as 78-gun third rates. Two ships were ordered in 1832 and another two in 1833, although one of the latter was intended to be a rebuilding of the second rate Union
, and this was subsequently cancelled. At this point the design was modified and they were re-designated as 80-gun second rates. Another ship was ordered to this design in 1838, another seven in 1839 (of which two were subsequently re-ordered three months later as 90-gun ships to a new design - the Albion
and Aboukir) and another two in 1840. Two of the above ships were re-ordered and completed as steam battleships - Majestic
and Irresistible. A final ship to this design, the Brunswick, was ordered in 1844 but in 1847 she was re-ordered to a modified design.
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...
by Sir William Symonds
William Symonds
Sir William Symonds FRS was "Surveyor of the Navy" in the Royal Navy from 9 June 1832 to October 1847, and took part in the naval reforms instituted by the Whig First Lord of the Admiralty Sir James Robert George Graham in 1832.-Early life:He was the second son...
, of which nine were completed as sailing ships of the line, although another two of these were completed as (and others converted into) steam warships.
They were originally planned as 78-gun third rates. Two ships were ordered in 1832 and another two in 1833, although one of the latter was intended to be a rebuilding of the second rate Union
HMS Union (1811)
HMS Union was a 98-gun second rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 16 November 1811 at Plymouth.She was broken up in 1833....
, and this was subsequently cancelled. At this point the design was modified and they were re-designated as 80-gun second rates. Another ship was ordered to this design in 1838, another seven in 1839 (of which two were subsequently re-ordered three months later as 90-gun ships to a new design - the Albion
HMS Albion (1842)
HMS Albion was a 90-gun second rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. Ordered in 1839, she was built at Plymouth and launched on 6 September 1842, and entered service in 1843. Albion was designed by Sir William Symonds, was the only ship of her class to ever serve as a sailing ship, and the last...
and Aboukir) and another two in 1840. Two of the above ships were re-ordered and completed as steam battleships - Majestic
HMS Majestic (1853)
HMS Majestic was the second ship to bear the name. She was an 80-gun second rate ship of the line, built at Chatham Dockyard and launched on 1 December 1853. She spent 12 years on the stocks beforehand. She was fitted with screw propulsion and eventually broken up in 1868 after 35 years in service....
and Irresistible. A final ship to this design, the Brunswick, was ordered in 1844 but in 1847 she was re-ordered to a modified design.