Arrow class gunvessel

The "Arrow" class comprised six second-class screw-driven vessels built as despatch vessels for the Royal Navy in 1854, mounting 6 guns. In 1856 they were redesignated as second-class gunvessels.

Construction

Design

The Crimean War sparked a sudden need for shallow-draught, manoeuvrable vessels for inshore work in the Baltic and the Black Sea. The "Arrow" class of six wooden-hulled screw steamers were built during 1854 to a design by the Surveyor’s Department. Construction was undertaken at two commercial yards on the Thames, R & H Green and C J Mare & Company, both of Blackwall. Two further designs of Crimean War gunvessel were ordered during 1855, the "Intrepid" class and the "Vigilant" class, and in 1856 the six "Arrow" Class despatch vessels were re-classed as second-class gunvessels.

Propulsion

A two-cylinder horizontal single expansion steam engine provided convert|160|hp|0 through a single screw.

ail Plan

All "Arrow"-class gunvessels were barque-rigged.

Armament

The "Arrow" class were provided with two 68-pounder Lancaster Muzzle Loading Rifles weighing convert|95|long cwt|kg|abbr=on on pivot mounts, and four 32-pounder convert|25|long cwt|kg|abbr=on guns.

hips

Operational Lives

"Wrangler" was sent to the Baltic on completion, and the others of the class to the Black Sea where they took part in the Crimean War. The Lancaster guns were not entirely successful and the class had their armament reduced, being employed in their original designation as despatch vessels.

References

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