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HMS Superb (1842)
Encyclopedia
HMS Superb was a two-deck 80-gun second rate ship of the line
of the Royal Navy
, launched on 6 September 1842 at Pembroke Dockyard.
She was one of the Vanguard
class, designed by Sir William Symonds, Surveyor of the Navy and an innovative and controversial naval architect. Each ship of the class was designed with a slightly different hull shape, aiming to optimise speed and handling characteristics. After Commissioning, Superb joined the Channel Fleet
under the command of Captain Armar Lowry Corry
. In February 1845, she joined the Experimental Squadron
of eight ships, four of them built by Symonds. They engaged in three competitive cruises to test Symonds’ new hull designs against older, traditionally built warships. The whole Squadron was reviewed by Queen Victoria
and Prince Albert at Spithead
on 22nd June and the trials were completed by December, Superb having proved to be the fastest ship in the last cruise. Overall, the results were inconclusive and became mired by political wrangling and professional rivalry, with the result that Symonds resigned. Superb took part in further trials the following year with yet more ships, this time called The Squadron of Evolution. The whole project was made irrelevant by the advent of steam propulsion and the Vanguard class were some of the last major Royal Navy warships to rely solely on sail propulsion.
Returning to duties with the Channel Fleet, she saw action in the Portuguese “Little Civil War” or Patuleia
in 1847, as part of a British squadron commanded by Sir William Parker, which was sent to support Queen Maria II. In May, a division of rebel troops commanded by the Conde das Antas
was being ferried by sea along the coast, with the aim of securing the mouth of the River Tagus, thus blockading the capital. The convoy was intercepted by the British squadron and ordered to surrender. When Antas refused, boats’ crews put off from the British warships and boarded and captured all the transports, despite coming under fire from coastal batteries. Some three thousand rebel soldiers were disarmed and held in Fort St Julian under a guard of Royal Marines
until relieved by loyal Portuguese troops.
In November 1848, the Superb under Captain Edward Purcell joined the Mediterranean Fleet, and continued there until paying off into the reserve at Chatham in June 1852.
Superb was broken up in 1869.
Ship of the line
A ship of the line was a type of naval warship constructed from the 17th through the mid-19th century to take part in the naval tactic known as the line of battle, in which two columns of opposing warships would manoeuvre to bring the greatest weight of broadside guns to bear...
of the Royal Navy
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...
, launched on 6 September 1842 at Pembroke Dockyard.
She was one of the Vanguard
Vanguard class ship of the line
The Vanguard-class ships of the line were a class of two-deck 80-gun second rates, designed for the Royal Navy by Sir William Symonds, of which nine were completed as sailing ships of the line, although another two of these were completed as steam warships.They were originally planned as 78-gun...
class, designed by Sir William Symonds, Surveyor of the Navy and an innovative and controversial naval architect. Each ship of the class was designed with a slightly different hull shape, aiming to optimise speed and handling characteristics. After Commissioning, Superb joined the Channel Fleet
Channel Fleet
The Channel Fleet was the Royal Navy formation of warships that defended the waters of the English Channel from 1690 to 1909.-History:The Channel Fleet dates back at least to 1690 when its role was to defend England against the French threat under the leadership of Edward Russell, 1st Earl of...
under the command of Captain Armar Lowry Corry
Armar Lowry Corry
Rear Admiral Armar Lowry Corry was a British naval officer.-Naval career:Corry entered the Royal Navy on 1 August 1805, became a Lieutenant on 28 April 1812, a Commander on 13 June 1815, and Captain on 23 July 1821...
. In February 1845, she joined the Experimental Squadron
Experimental Squadron (Royal Navy)
The Experimental Squadrons of the Royal Navy were groups of ships sent out in the 1830s and 1840s to test new techniques of ship design, armament, building and propulsion against old ones...
of eight ships, four of them built by Symonds. They engaged in three competitive cruises to test Symonds’ new hull designs against older, traditionally built warships. The whole Squadron was reviewed by Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
and Prince Albert at Spithead
Spithead
Spithead is an area of the Solent and a roadstead off Gilkicker Point in Hampshire, England. It is protected from all winds, except those from the southeast...
on 22nd June and the trials were completed by December, Superb having proved to be the fastest ship in the last cruise. Overall, the results were inconclusive and became mired by political wrangling and professional rivalry, with the result that Symonds resigned. Superb took part in further trials the following year with yet more ships, this time called The Squadron of Evolution. The whole project was made irrelevant by the advent of steam propulsion and the Vanguard class were some of the last major Royal Navy warships to rely solely on sail propulsion.
Returning to duties with the Channel Fleet, she saw action in the Portuguese “Little Civil War” or Patuleia
Patuleia
The Patuleia, Guerra da Patuleia, or Little Civil War was a civil war in Portugal, so called to distinguish it from the 'great' civil war between Dom Pedro IV and Dom Miguel that ended in 1834. The Patuleia occurred after the Revolution of Maria da Fonte, and was closely associated with her...
in 1847, as part of a British squadron commanded by Sir William Parker, which was sent to support Queen Maria II. In May, a division of rebel troops commanded by the Conde das Antas
Francisco Xavier da Silva Pereira, Conde das Antas
Francisco Xavier da Silva Pereira, Baron, Viscount and finally Conde das Antas, born in Valença on 14 March 1793, died in Lisbon on 20 May 1852, was a leading Portuguese soldier of the period of the Liberal Wars...
was being ferried by sea along the coast, with the aim of securing the mouth of the River Tagus, thus blockading the capital. The convoy was intercepted by the British squadron and ordered to surrender. When Antas refused, boats’ crews put off from the British warships and boarded and captured all the transports, despite coming under fire from coastal batteries. Some three thousand rebel soldiers were disarmed and held in Fort St Julian under a guard of Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
until relieved by loyal Portuguese troops.
In November 1848, the Superb under Captain Edward Purcell joined the Mediterranean Fleet, and continued there until paying off into the reserve at Chatham in June 1852.
Superb was broken up in 1869.