HMS Gorgon (1837)

HMS Gorgon was a wooden steam paddle frigate of 6 guns. She was launched on 1837-08-31 and broken up in 1864. She was teak built with oak main beams, had a displacement of convert|1610|LT|MT, and her paddle wheels were convert|27|ft|m in diameter.

"Gorgon" was designed by Sir William Symonds and was the first vessel to be fitted with direct-acting engines (in which the engine's cylinders are placed under the crankshaft), the engines being built by Seaward and Company. In addition to saving space over previous side-lever engines, they weighed 60 tons less.

Service

In 1840 "Gorgon" saw action with three other paddle sloops, HMS Vesuvius, HMS Stromboli and HMS Phoenix, in the bombardment of the city of Acre under the command of Admiral Robert Stopford.

In 1843, during the Uruguyan civil war, "Gorgon" arrived in the River Plate to join the Royal Navy squadron commanded by Commodore John Purvis. She anchored in the bay as a deterrent to potential attackers. She ran aground on 1844-05-10 but was subsequently refloated.

In 1858 "Gorgon" assisted in the laying of the first transatlantic telegraph cable by taking soundings for the former warship Agamemnon, which had been converted into a cable ship. When the cable link was completed to New York, the crew of the "Gorgon" and the other ships were feted by civic receptions and processions through the city. ["The Times (London)", Monday, 20 September 1858, p.7]

"Gorgon" was despatched to Madagascar in 1863 to keep the peace on the death of King Radama II."The Times (London)", Wednesday, 3 February 1864, p.9] She returned via the Cape of Good Hope, arriving at Spithead on 29 January 1864. She discharged her ammunition and guns at the Royal Arsenal, was paid out of commission on 11 February ["The Times (London)", Thursday, 11 February 1864, p.12] .

Despite being decommissioned, "Gorgon" had one last mission. The vessel was towed to Greenhithe on 6 May 1864 to act as a receiving hulk for the crew of HMS Osborne, seven of whom had acquired smallpox. ["The Times (London)", Saturday, 7 May 1864, p.9] The ship was ultimately dismantled at Woolwich. ["The Times (London)", Saturday, 30 January 1864, p.12]

References

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*Citation | first = Sir Astley | last = Cooper Key | author-link = Astley Cooper Key | title = A Narrative of the Recovery of the HMS Gorgon | place = London | page = | publisher = Smith, Elder & Co. | year = 1847 | doi = | isbn = 1841508012