HMS Kestrel
Encyclopedia
Four ships and a shore establishment of the Royal Navy
have borne the name HMS Kestrel, after the bird of prey
, the kestrel
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Ships was a brigantine
purchased in 1846 and broken up in 1852. was a Clown class wooden screw gunboat
launched in 1856, sunk in action in 1859, raised in 1866 and resold to the Japanese Navy
. was a Frolic class gunvessel launched in 1872 and sold in 1888. was a Brazen class destroyer
launched in 1898 and sold in 1921.
Shore establishment
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
have borne the name HMS Kestrel, after the bird of prey
Bird of prey
Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
, the kestrel
Kestrel
The name kestrel, is given to several different members of the falcon genus, Falco. Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviour which is to hover at a height of around over open country and swoop down on prey, usually small mammals, lizards or large insects...
:
Ships was a brigantine
Brigantine
In sailing, a brigantine or hermaphrodite brig is a vessel with two masts, only the forward of which is square rigged.-Origins of the term:...
purchased in 1846 and broken up in 1852. was a Clown class wooden screw gunboat
Gunboat
A gunboat is a naval watercraft designed for the express purpose of carrying one or more guns to bombard coastal targets, as opposed to those military craft designed for naval warfare, or for ferrying troops or supplies.-History:...
launched in 1856, sunk in action in 1859, raised in 1866 and resold to the Japanese Navy
Japanese Navy
Japanese Navy can refer to:* the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1947* the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, 1947 – present...
. was a Frolic class gunvessel launched in 1872 and sold in 1888. was a Brazen class destroyer
Brazen class destroyer
The Brazen class formed part of a general class of forty turtleback destroyers capable of 30 knots built around the end of the 19th and the start of the 20th century for the Royal Navy....
launched in 1898 and sold in 1921.
Shore establishment
- HMS KestrelRAF Worthy DownWorthy Down Barracks is a British Army barracks near Winchester, Hampshire. It is the headquarters and depot of the Adjutant General's Corps and is part of the Winchester Garrison...
was a Royal Naval Air Station and General Service Establishment at Worthy DownRAF Worthy DownWorthy Down Barracks is a British Army barracks near Winchester, Hampshire. It is the headquarters and depot of the Adjutant General's Corps and is part of the Winchester Garrison...
, near WinchesterWinchesterWinchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
. It was commissioned in 1939 after being transferred from the Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, and was paid off in 1948, before being recommissioned as a General Service Establishment. It was paid off to Care and Maintenance in 1950 and renamed HMS Ariel in 1952.