HMS Vestal (1833)

History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Vestal
NamesakeVesta (mythology)
Ordered9 November 1831
BuilderSheerness Dockyard
Cost£19,173 (£27,508 fitted)
Laid downMay 1832
Launched6 April 1833
CompletedBy 15 July 1833
FateSold for breaking up by order dated 17 February 1862
General characteristics
Class and typeVestal-class sixth-rate frigate
Tons burthen911 7594 (bm)
Length
  • 130 ft (39.6 m) (gundeck)
  • 104 ft 6 in (31.9 m) (keel)
Beam40 ft 6 in (12.3 m)
Depth of hold10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Complement240
Armament
  • Upper deck: 18 × 32-pounder guns
  • Quarterdeck: 6 × 32-pounder gunnades
  • Forecastle: 2 × 32-pounder gunnades

HMS Vestal was a 26-gun Vestal-class sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She was built to a design by Sir William Symonds and was launched in 1833.

On her maiden voyage, she departed for the West Indies on 19 October 1833, and arrived in Barbados on 3 December of that year. In October 1835, Vestal seized the Spanish slave ship Amalia. This was to a regular part of her Caribbean duties. During 1838 and 1839, she was in Havana protecting British interests off the coast of Mexico. During the following years she visited Canada, Jamaica, the United States, Argentina and Tasmania.[1]

On 26 August 1852, Vestal ran aground on the Hemstead Ledge, west of The Needles, Isle of Wight whilst on a voyage from Portsmouth, Hampshire to the West Indies. After throwing her guns overboard, she was refloated and taken back to Portsmouth for inspection and repair.[2] She was decommissioned in 1860; and broken up in 1862.

His Majesty's Ship the Vestal frigate, commanded by Captain William Jones. Having their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria on board, off Culver Cliffs on 24 July 1833
  1. ^ "HMS Vestal". Benyon Naval Database. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Her Majestey's Ship Vestal on Shore". The Morning Post. No. 24561. London. 28 August 1852. p. 4.