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HMS Trafalgar (1841) facts for kids

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HMSTrafalgarlaunch1841.jpg
HMS Trafalgar, launched by Lady Bridport, niece of Lord Nelson, accompanied by Queen Victoria
Quick facts for kids
History
Royal Navy EnsignUnited Kingdom
Name Trafalgar
Ordered 19 February 1825
Builder Woolwich Dockyard
Laid down November 1829
Launched 21 June 1841
Renamed HMS Boscawen, 1873
Fate Sold, 1906
General characteristics
Class and type Broadened Caledonia-class ship of the line
Tons burthen 2694 bm
Length 205 ft 5.5 in (62.624 m) (gundeck)
Beam 54 ft 6 in (16.61 m)
Depth of hold 23 ft 2 in (7.06 m)
Propulsion Sails
Sail plan Full-rigged ship
Complement 900 (820 peacetime)
Armament
  • 120 guns:
  • Gundeck: 30 × 32 pdrs, 2 × 68-pdr carronades
  • Middle gundeck: 34 × 32 pdrs
  • Upper gundeck: 34 × 32 pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 2 × 18 pdrs, 14 × 32 pdr carronades
  • Forecastle: 2 × 18 pdrs, 2 × 32 pdr carronades

HMS Trafalgar was a 120-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 21 June 1841 at Woolwich Dockyard. HMS Trafalgar was the last ship to complete the successful Caledonia class.

Her Majesty's Visit to the Launch of the Trafalgar, 120 Guns, 21st June 1841 RMG PY0915
Her Majesty's Visit to the Launch of the Trafalgar, 120 Guns, 21st June 1841
Woolwich Dockyard, launching of Trafalgar 1841, W Ranwell 1842 LMA
Woolwich Dockyard, launching of Trafalgar 1841

The figurehead was a bust of Lord Nelson, and is now on display at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The ship was named by Nelson's niece Lady Bridport at the request of Queen Victoria, who with Prince Albert also attended the launch. The wine used was some kept from HMS Victory after returning from Trafalgar. Five hundred people were on board the ship at the time of its launch, of whom 100 had been at Trafalgar. It was estimated 500,000 people came to watch the event and the Thames was covered for miles with all manner of boats. The launch was the subject of the most notable work by Woolwich-based artist William Ranwell.

Trafalgar was engaged in the Bombardment of Sebastopol on 17 October 1854 during the Crimean War.

The ship was fitted with screw propulsion in 1859. As a training ship at Portland, she was renamed HMS Boscawen in 1873, and finally sold out of the service in 1906. Commander Lawrence de Wahl Satow was appointed in command 15 April 1902.

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