Hecla class bomb vessel
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The Hecla class was a class of bomb vessels of the Royal Navy of the early 19th century. They were designed for use as bomb or mortar ships and were very heavily built. Seven ships were launched; all were converted for use as exploration or survey ships. Four ships of the class are best known for the role they played in Arctic and Antarctic exploration. Only Terror saw combat, being involved in the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814.
- Terror, launched in 1813, and Erebus, launched in 1826, were commanded by James Clark Ross during his exploration of Antarctica and by John Franklin on his ill-fated search for the Northwest Passage. Both ships were lost during this last voyage.
- Hecla, launched in 1815, was commanded by William Edward Parry in all his exploration in search of the Northwest Passage.
- Fury, launched in 1814, accompanied Hecla on two of her Arctic voyages, but was lost to the ice on the second.
- Erebus
- Sulphur, launched in 1826, was used as a survey ship. She was at one time commanded by Edward Belcher who later commanded a disastrous expedition in search of Franklin (though not in Sulphur).
- Meteor, launched in 1823, was renamed Beacon and used as a survey ship.
- Aetna, launched in 1824, was used as a survey ship.
- Volcano and Devastation were laid down but cancelled before launch.
[edit] References
- J. J. Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy, Greenhill Books, 1987.
