Great Armament

The Great Armament was the popular name given to the rapid build-up in the strength of the British Royal Navy as a consequence of the need for inshore warfare vessels that emerged during the 1854-56 Crimean War against Russia. These forces were for deployment not only in the Black Sea and Sea of Azof, but equally in the campaigns in the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia. Following the end of that war, many of the numerous steam-driven gunboats produced as part of the Great Armament were deployed in many other locations around the world, as far apart as Africa and China.

Orders

Between 27 March 1854, when Britain declared war on Russia (France followed suit the next day) and 30 March 1856, when the Treaty of Peace was signed in Paris, the following small naval vessels were ordered by the British Admiralty; all except the mortar vessels (which were sail propelled only) and the (iron-hulled) mortar floats (which were not self-propelled) had steam screw propulsion:

Order date Number and class Vessel names Contract or dockyard Named on
10 April 1854 6 Arrow-class despatch gunvessels Arrow, Beagle, Lynx, Snake, Viper, Wrangler Contract 2 May
16 June 1854 2 Gleaner-class gunboats Gleaner, Ruby Deptford Dockyard 10 April
24 June 1854 4 Gleaner-class gunboats Pelter, Pincher, Badger, Snapper Contract 10 April
4 October 1854 5 floating batteries Glatton, Trusty, Aetna (original), Meteor, Thunder Contract 10 October
6 October 1854 10 mortar vessels (65-ft class) Flamer, Firm, Havock, Hardy, Growler, Surly, Blazer, Mastiff, Manly, Porpoise Contract Names were replaced by numbers MV.3 to MV.12 on 10 October 1855
6 October 1854 14 Dapper-class gunboats Hind, Jackdaw, Starling, Thistle, Snap, Weazel, Redwing, Clinker, Cracker, Boxer, Stork, Skylark, Biter, Swinger Contract 14 October
9 October 1854 4 Dapper-class gunboats Dapper, Fancy, Grinder, Jasper Contract 14 October
20 October 1854 2 Dapper-class gunboats Lark, Magpie Deptford Dockyard 14 October
22 December 1854 10 mortar vessels (70-ft class) Raven, Rocket, Redbreast, Prompt, Pickle, Magnet, Camel, Beacon, Carron, Grappler Contract Names were replaced by numbers MV.13 to MV.22 on 10 October 1855
18 April 1855 2 Vigilant-class despatch gunvessels (1st class) Flying Fish, Pioneer Pembroke Dockyard 30 May
18 April 1855 4 Albacore-class gunboats Nightingale, Violet, Beaver, Whiting Contract 30 May
2 May 1855 2 Cheerful-class gunboats Cheerful, Chub Deptford & Sheerness Dockyards 30 May
2 May 1855 6 Albacore-class gunboats Skipjack, Seagull, Sandfly, Sheldrake, Plover, Tickler Contract 30 May
15 May 1855 2 Intrepid-class despatch gunvessels (1st class) Victor, Intrepid Contract 30 May
15 May 1855 4 Vigilant-class despatch gunvessels (2nd class) Alacrity, Vigilant, Coquette, Wanderer Contract 30 May
30 June 1855 14 Albacore-class gunboats Banterer, Bullfrog, Bustard, Carnation, Charger, Cockchafer, Dove, Forward, Grasshopper, Hasty, Herring, Insolent, Matflower, Staunch Contract 16 July
25 July 1855 2 Intrepid-class despatch gunvessels (1st class) Nimrod, Roebuck Contract 21 August
26 July 1855 10 Vigilant-class despatch gunvessels (2nd class) Reward, Foxhound, Mohawk, Sparrowhawk, Cormorant, Osprey, Lapwing, Ringdove, Assurance, Surprise Contract 21 August
26 July 1855 24 Albacore-class gunboats Charon, Haughty, Leveret, Mackerel, Procris, Shamrock, Spey, Tilbury, Fervent, Forester, Griper, Spanker, Thrasher, Traveller, Bouncer, Hyaena, Savage, Wolf, Goldfinch, Goshawk, Opossum, Partridge, Julia, Louisa Contract 21 August
2 October 1855 16 mortar vessels (75-ft class) MV.23 to MV.37, and MV.44 Contract Numbered only
3 October 1855 6 mortar vessels (75-ft class) MV.38 to MV.43 Contract Numbered only
3 October 1855 6 Albacore-class gunboats Peacock, Pheasant, Primrose, Pickle, Prompt, Porpoise Contract
4 October 1855 15 Albacore-class gunboats Firm, Flamer, Fly, Sepoy, Erne, Spider, Lively, Surly, Swan, Delight, Grappler, Growler, Parthian, Quail, Ripple Contract
7 October 1855 6 Albacore-class gunboats Cochin, Cherokee, Camel, Caroline, Confounder, Crocus Contract
8 October 1855 13 Albacore-class gunboats Beacon, Brave, Blazer, Bullfinch, Brazen, Hardy, Havock, Highlander, Rainbow, Raven, Redbreast, Rocket, Rose Contract
9 October 1855 4 Albacore-class gunboats Albacore, Amelia, Foam, Wave Contract
9 October 1855 4 mortar vessels (75-ft class) MV.45 to MV.48 Contract Numbered only
10 October 1855 4 Albacore-class gunboats Magnet, Manly, Mastiff, Mistletoe Contract
11 October 1855 2 Albacore-class gunboats Ernest, Escort Contract
11 November 1855 4 mortar vessels (75-ft class) MV.49 to MV.52 Contract Numbered only
12 November 1855 2 Cheerful-class gunboats Daisy, Dwarf Contract 6 December
16 November 1855 1 floating battery Aetna (replacement) Chatham Dockyard
21 November 1855 4 Cheerful-class gunboats Blossom, Gadfly, Garland, Gnat Contract 6 December
23 November 1855 6 Cheerful-class gunboats Fidget, Flirt, Onyx, Pert, Midge, Tivy Contract 6 December
1 December 1855 2 Cheerful-class gunboats Angler, Ant Contract 6 December
2 December 1855 4 Cheerful-class gunboats Nettle, Pet, Rambler, Decoy Contract 6 December
14 December 1855 4 mortar vessels (75-ft class) MV.53 to MV.56 Contract Numbered only
22 December 1855 3 floating batteries (iron-hulled) Thunderbolt, Terror, Erebus Contract 18 January
31 December 1855 6 Clown-class gunboats Fenella, Garnet, Handy, Hunter, Watchful, Woodcock Contract 19 January
3 January 1856 2 Clown-class gunboats Drake, Janus Pembroke Dockyard 19 January
3 January 1856 4 Clown-class gunboats Ready, Thrush, Clown, Kestrel Contract 19 January

The above list excludes major warships (ships of the line and frigates) ordered during this two-year period.

References

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