HMS Sidon (1846)
HMS Sidon (1846)


Royal NavyVessels

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NameSidon (1846)Explanation
Type1st class frigate   
Launched26 May 1846
HullWooden
PropulsionPaddle
Builders measure1329 tons
Displacement 
Guns8
Fate1864
Class 
Ships book
Note 
Snippets concerning this vessels career
DateEvent
25 August 1846
- 30 March 1849
Commanded (until paying off at Portsmouth) by Captain William Honeyman Henderson, Mediterranean
26 November 1852
- 18 March 1856
Commanded by Captain George Goldsmith, Mediterranean (and Black Sea during the Russian War)
29 February 1856
- 30 July 1856
Commanded (until paying off) by Captain Edward Augustus Inglefield, Mediterranean
10 June 1859
- 1 March 1862
Commanded by Captain Richard Borough Crawford, Cape of Good Hope
Extracts from the Times newspaper
DateExtract
Ma 6 April 1846A few years ago Deptford dockyard appeared more like a deserted village than an extensive naval depot, but considerable activity is now displayed in it, and the hammers of a thousand workmen, and the saws and tools for converting timber for building vessels for the Royal navy, are heard without intermission during the working hours of week days. There are at present five ships and steamers of war in progress of construction in this dockyard, and two of them will be floated into the river about the 25th of the present month, as the slip on which they are building is different from those from which vessels are launched. The Sidon, constructed on a plan of Sir Charles Napier's, is one of the two that will be floated into the river during the present month; and she appears a very fine looking vessel, very strongly put together, and of the following dimensions:—

 Feet.Inches.
Length between perpendiculars2109
Ditto of keel for tonnage185
Breadth extreme370
Ditto for tonnage366
Ditto moulded3510
Depth in hold270
Burden in tons 1,328 67-94
Horse power 560


Although only two feet longer, and two feet broader than the Odin steam vessel building in the same yard, the Sidon is intended to carry 400 tons more coals than that vessel. The Sidon was placed on blocks on the 24th of June, 1845, and in exactly 10 months will be ready to enter her future element. All the parts of her machinery above water mark are to be constructed of malleable iron, and of great power to resist injury during actual warfare; and every beam across her decks has been secured with strong iron kneedbolts to the powerful timbers of her sides.
We 27 May 1846

WOOLWICH, Tuesday.

The Sidon steam-frigate, from a design by Commodore Sir Charles Napier, being ready for entering her future element, was floated out of the dry dock at Deptford dock-yard yesterday, in the presence of a great concourse of spectators. On Sunday afternoon Sir Robert Peel and Sir James Graham visited Deptford dock-yard, and accompanied by Mr. Murray, Master Attendant, went over the Sidon steam-frigate, remaining a considerable time on board to examine the vessel and ascertain the plans of the designer to render her the most perfect war steamer yet constructed for Her Majesty's Navy. Sir Robert Peel and Sir James Graham then visited the baking establishment, and after a stay of two hours in the dock-yard returned to town. Yesterday Commodore Sir Charles Napier was early at the dockyard, and at half-past 12 o'clock, Lord John Russell arrived on horseback, and was received by the gallant Commodore, and his Lordship, with Lord Radstock, went over every part of the Sidon, and the details of the various parts were explained by Sir Charles Napier. The gallant Commodore pointed out to his Lordship the facilities and ample room on the upper and lower decks, for firing her guns, and after showing the excellent accommodation she would have for the officers and crew, and the large space for her engines and boilers, the latter being so placed that they will be four feet under her water mark — conducted his Lordship to the powder magazines, to show their security, and the easy manner in which access could be had to them. The figure of the Sidon appears to be one of great stability, and at a short distance above her water mark she is thrown out considerably on her sides, which give a large additional breadth to her decks. She has ample stowage for 800 tons of coals, and room for stores sufficient for lengthened voyages. The Sidon was commenced on the 24th of June, 1845, and has just been 11 months in construction. At half-past 2 o'clock yesterday, Miss Hill, daughter of captain Superintendent Sir John Hill, of Her Majesty's dockyard at Deptford, haring drunk success to the Sidon, broke a bottle of wine on her bows and named the vessel. Amongst the company present were, Sir John Hill, Mr. John Seaward, of the firm of Seaward and Co,, who are to fit the vessel with her engines, Captain Smith, inventor of the paddle-box boats, and a number of naval and military officers.
The following are the dimensions of the Sidon:-

 Feet.Inches.
Length between perpendiculars2109
Ditto of keel for tonnage185
Breadth extreme370
Ditto for tonnage366
Ditto moulded3510
Depth in hold270
Burden in tons 1,328 67-94
Horse power 560


The vessel on entering the river was taken in tow by the Monkey steamer, and proceeded, cheered by the spectators, to Seaward and Co's docks at Limehouse.
Ma 26 March 1849 Her Majesty’s ship Sidon arrived at Portsmouth on Saturday morning, having left Gibraltar on the afternoon of the 16th, taking in tow the St. Vincent, and bringing her through the straits, with a speed of 7 knots against current, as far as off Cape St. Vincent, where she cast her off, and left her to make the best of her way to England, The prevalence of the easterly winds will probably prolong her passage. The Reynard and Plumper sailed in company from Gibraltar with the St. Vincent and Sidon; but at daylight of the 17th the Reynard was seen in tow of the Plumper. It is, therefore, presumed that some accident had occurred to the machinery of the former vessel. All well at Gibraltar on the 16th, and the new Governor very popular. It is supposed that proceedings against the Riff pirates are deferred until more settled weather shall enable the operations to be carried on with greater prospect of certainty of success on that difficult coast. The Sidon experienced fresh easterly gales, and steamed all the passage home.
We 28 March 1849Our Gibraltar advices of the 15th mention that the St. Vincent, Sidon, Reynard, and Plumper, would sail on the 16th for England, and that the dispute with the Moorish pirates on the coast of Rif had been arranged, and they had made satisfaction to the admiral for the piracies committed.
We 28 March 1849A seizure of 94lb. of manufactured tobacco was made yesterday on board the Sidon steam-frigate, by the tide-surveyors of customs and boat's crew, and two men, named respectively Thomas Piles and John Wright, seamen of the vessel, were summarily convicted of smuggling the same this day at the Borough Police Court.
Sa 8 December 1849

Portsmouth, Dec. 6.

In Port and Fitting

In the Harbour. - The Victory and Illustrious flag-ships, the Excellent gunnery ship; the Blenheim steam-guard-ship; the Eurydice, stripping to pay off; the Contest, fitting out; the Rolla apprentices' brig, laying up for the winter; the Fairy and Elfin, and Portsmouth yachts; the Flamer packet from Holyhead, and the Echo tug.
In Dock. - The Britannia, 120; the Dauntless, 24; the Fantome, 16; the Lily, 16; the Fox, 42; the Devastation, and the Birkenhead steam frigates.
In the Basin. - The Princess Charlotte, 104; the Actaeon, 26; and the Sprightly and the Bee steam-vessels.
In the Steam Basin, - The Ajax, 60; the Penelope, 22; the Sidon, 26; the Victoria and Albert royal yacht; the Urgent , the Pike, the Asp, and the Blazer.
Building. - The Royal Frederick, 120 [subsequently cancelled and later completed as Frederick William]; the Prince of Wales, 120; the Princess Royal, 90; the Argus, and the Furious steam sloops.
We 5 January 1853The steam squadron of reserve, under the superintendence of Captain W.H. Henderson, C.B., of the Blenheim, 60, since the commissioning of the Sidon, Odin, Furious, and Medea, has been reduced to four vessels — viz., the Leopard, 12, 560-horse power; Vesuvius, 6, 280-horse power; Bulldog, 6, 500 horse-power; and the Stromboli, 6, 280-horse power; all paddle vessels. The Hecla, 6, will shortly join them, having been masted ready for rigging.
Sa 6 March 1858The Royal Sovereign, 131, Imp?rieuse, 51, Melpomene, 51, Termagant, 24, and Perseverance troop-ship, are all in the steam basin at Portsmouth preparing for service. The Duke of Wellington, 131, Captain Eyres. C.B.; Victory, 104, Captain Seymour, C.B. ; Blenheim, 60, Captain F. Scott, C.B.; and the Sidon, 22, Sphynx, 6, and Fire Queen steam yacht, are all in dock fitting out and refitting.
Fr 28 May 1858The Imperieuse, 51, screw frigate, will be undocked this day at Portsmouth and placed in the steam basin to be completed for commission.
Fr 1 July 1859The Imp?rieuse, 51, screw, Captain R.B. Maguire, has been brought down Portsmouth harbour and placed along-side the Malabar, coal dep?t, for the purpose of coaling.
The Neptune, 91, screw, Captain Sir W. Hoste, has crossed lower and topsail yards and placed battens on her rigging, in readiness for rattling down. She has hauled off from alongside the sheer jetty to alongside the Prince Regent hulk, in Portsmouth harbour.
The Sidon, 22, paddle, Captain R.B. Crawford, is coaling alongside the north quay of the fitting basin.
The Dauntless, 32, screw, Captain W. Edmonstone, in the steam basin at Portsmouth, has commenced crossing her lower and topsailyards.
The Sphinx, 6, paddle, and the Beagle, 8, screw, have both been brought down Portsmouth harbour, and placed in the steam basin, to be advanced to the first-class steam reserve.


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