Minerva class frigate
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HMS Minerva(1778)
| General Characteristics |  |
|---|---|
| tons Burthen: | 940 |
| Length: | 141 feet |
| Beam: | 38-10 feet (24.4 m) |
| Depth of Hold: | 13-9 feet (8.2 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sail |
| Speed: | |
| Range: | |
| Complement: | 270– |
| Armament (as ordered): | UD: Twenty Eight 18lb guns; QD eight 6lb guns, FC two 6lbguns |
The Minerva class sailing frigates were a series of four ships which served in the Royal Navy during the latter half of the eighteenth century.
During the early stages of the American Revolutionary War the Royal Navy, well supplied with ships from earlier programs, and faced with coastal operations and trade protection tasks along the American littoral, ordered numerous forty four gun, two decked ships and twenty eight guns frigates. With the entry of European powers into the war, and with renewed resistance provided by the large, nine hundred ton, thirty two gun frigates of the French Navy, the RN looked to a newer larger design of frigate to meet this challenge. They were the first Royal Navy frigates designed to be armed with the eighteen pound cannon on their upper deck, the main gun deck of a frigate. The type eventually proved successful, and went on to be virtually the standard frigate type during the latter periods of the age of sail.
[edit] Ships in class
- HMS Thetis (1782)
- Builder: Deptford
- Laid down: December 1781
- Launched: 23 September 1782
- Fate: Sold 9 June 1814
[edit] See also
[edit] References
Robert Gardiner, "The Heavy Frigate", Conway Maritime Press, London 1994.
