HMS Ajax (1809)

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Career (UK) Royal Navy Ensign
Name: HMS Ajax
Ordered: 1 July 1807
Builder: Perry, Blackwall
Laid down: August 1807
Launched: 2 May 1809
Fate: Broken up, 1864
General characteristics
Class and type: Vengeur-class ship of the line
Tons burthen: 1761 tons (1789.3 tonnes)
Length: 176 ft (54 m) (gundeck)
Beam: 47 ft 6 in (14.5 m)
Depth of hold: 21 ft (6.4 m)
Propulsion: Sails
Sail plan: Full rigged ship
Armament:

74 guns:

  • Gundeck: 28 × 32 pdrs
  • Upper gundeck: 28 × 18 pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 4 × 12 pdrs, 10 × 32 pdr carronades
  • Forecastle: 2 × 12 pdrs, 2 × 32 pdr carronades
  • Poop deck: 6 × 18 pdr carronades

HMS Ajax was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 2 May 1809 at Blackwall.

She was converted to a blockship with screw propulsion for coastal defense (also called 'steam-guard-ships') in 1846.

The conversion process involved removing her copper, ballast and some of the bulkheads, and cutting her down in the shape of a blockship[1].

She was broken up in 1864.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ 'Workmen are engaged in removing the housing over her, and preparing her for cutting down to a blockship for that port.' (Times Newspaper, 30 October 1845). '29 October 1845: The Ajax, 72, intended for a block ship, was docked yesterday to have her copper stripped off and to be cut down.' (Times Newspaper, 30 October 1845). '2 November 1845: The Ajax, 72, was undocked yesterday at Portsmouth, having had her copper stripped off, ballast removed, and some of her bulkheads taken out. She will be towed to Cowes in a day or two for conversion to a blockship, by Mr. White.' (Times Newspaper, 3 November 1845)

[edit] References

  • Lavery, Brian (2003) The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.

[edit] External links