Express-class schooner

The Express class was a class of two schooner-rigged advice-boats of the Royal Navy. John Henslow designed the schooners to carry dispatches. To achieve speed they were long and sharp-lined. However, the Navy did not like them and so the Navy Board ordered no more after the launch of the two in 1800.

Class overview
NameExpress class
Operators Royal Navy
In service1800-1812
Planned2
Completed2
Lost0 or 1
Retired1 or 2
General characteristics [1]
Class and typeExpress class
TypeSchooner
Tons burthen1784894 (bm)
Length
  • 88 ft 0 in (26.8 m) (overall)
  • 72 ft 7+12 in (22.1 m) (keel)
Beam21 ft 6 in (6.6 m)
Depth of hold13 ft 1 in (4.0 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planSchooner
Complement30
Armament6 × 12-pounder carronades

Both were commissioned in January 1801 for Jersey, and both sailed in a year or so for Trinidad. Express served until she was sold in 1813; Advice was lost in 1804 in the West Indies, or sold there in 1805.[1]

The Navy tried again to find a design for an advice-boat. In 1804 it ordered 18 Ballahoo-class schooners. Then a year later it ordered 12 Cuckoo-class schooners. Both classes were built in Bermuda.

Ships

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Name Builder Begun Launched Fate
Express John Randall & Co., Rotherhithe July 1800 December 1800 Sold 1813
Advice John Randall & Co., Rotherhithe July 1800 December 1800 Lost 1804 or sold c. 1805

Citations

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  1. ^ a b Winfield (2008), p. 355.

References

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  • Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth. ISBN 978-1-86176-246-7.