Albatross-class brig-sloop
Drawing showing the body plan with stern board outline, sheer lines with scroll figurehead, and longitudinal half-breadth proposed for building the Albatross-class ships, 1795 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Albatross-class brig-sloop |
| Operators | Royal Navy |
| In service | 1795 - 1807 |
| Completed | 8 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Brig-sloop |
| Tons burthen | 369 14/94 bm |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 30 ft 6 in (9.30 m) |
| Depth of hold | 12 ft 9 in (3.89 m) |
| Sail plan | Brig-rigged |
| Complement | 121 |
| Armament |
|
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The Albatross 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.
The class was designed by one of the Surveyors of the Navy - William Rule - and approved on 22 April 1795. Five vessels to this design were ordered in March 1795; the prototype was named Pelican on 11 June 1795 and the other five names were assigned and registered on 20 June. Three more were ordered in July 1795; these were named and registered on 28 August.