Cherokee-class brig-sloop

Longitudinal section of HMS Beagle as of 1842
Longitudinal section of HMS Beagle (Cherokee class) as of 1832, by then converted to a barque by addition of a mizzen-mast.
Class overview
NameCherokee-class brig-sloop
Operators Royal Navy
Planned115
Completed
  • 36 in first batch
  • 34 in second batch (with another 1 being cancelled)
  • 34 in third batch (with another 4 cancelled and 6 orders replaced by orders for equivalent steam-assisted paddle vessels)
Cancelled11
General characteristics
TypeBrig-sloop
Tons burthen238 bm
Length
  • Overall: 90 ft 0 in (27.43 m)
  • Keel: 73 ft 7+5⁄8 in (22.4 m)
Beam24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
Draught12 ft 6 in (3.8 m)
Depth of hold11 ft 0 in (3.4 m)
PropulsionSails
Complement
Armament

The Cherokee class was a class of brig-sloops of the Royal Navy, mounting ten guns. Brig-sloops were sloops-of-war with two masts (a fore mast and a taller main mast) rather than the three masts of ship sloops. Orders for 115 vessels were placed, including five which were cancelled and six for which the orders were replaced by ones for equivalent steam-powered paddle vessels.[1]

Many of these sailing vessels served as mail packet ships, and more than eight assisted with exploration and surveys. The best known of the class was HMS Beagle, then considerably modified for Beagle's second survey voyage under Robert FitzRoy, with the gentleman naturalist Charles Darwin on board as a self-funded supernumerary.[2][3]

  1. ^ "HMS Beagle – Port of science and discovery – Port Cities". Retrieved 30 January 2009.
  2. ^ Taylor 2008, pp. 36–38
  3. ^ FitzRoy 1839, pp. 17–22