Diligence-class brig-sloop

Drawing showing the inboard profile, upper deck, lower deck with hold and platform for the Diligence-class ships
Class overview
Name	Diligence-class brig-sloop
Operators	Royal Navy
In service	1795 - 1817
Completed	8
General characteristics
Type	Brig-sloop
Tons burthen	313 59⁄94 (bm)
Length	95 ft 0 in (29.0 m) (gundeck) 75 ft 2+1⁄2 in (22.9 m) (keel)
Beam	28 ft 0 in (8.5 m)
Depth of hold	12 ft 0 in (3.7 m)
Sail plan	Brig-rigged
Complement	121
Armament	2 × 6-pounder cannon as bow chasers 16 × 32-pounder carronades

The Diligence class were built as a class of eight 18-gun brig-sloops for the Royal Navy. They were originally to have carried sixteen 6-pounder carriage guns, but on 22 April 1795 it was instructed that they should be armed with sixteen 32-pounder carronades, although two of the 6-pounders were retained as chase guns in the bows. Consequently they were classed as 18-gun sloops. However, in service it was found that this armament proved too heavy for these vessels, and so in most vessels the 32-pounder carronades were replaced by 24-pounder ones.

Of the eight vessels in the class, three foundered at sea with the loss of their crews, and one was wrecked. The others continued in service until withdrawn.

One of the Surveyors of the Navy - John Henslow - designed the class. The Admiralty approved the design on 22 April 1795, and ordered five vessels on 4 March 1795; their names were assigned and registered on 20 June. The Admiralty ordered three more in July 1795; these were named and registered on 28 August.