HMS Royal Oak Wooden
broadside Ironclad.
Photos and history of HMS Royal Oak
HMS Royal oak was a Wooden
broadside Ironclad. Built at Chatham dockyard and laid down in 1860,
launched 10th September 1862 and completed 19th April 1863.
HMS Royal Oak was initially laid down as a 91 gun ship of the line
but was converted in 1861 to be a 36 gun ironclad. she was
designed to carry 36 68 pounders but was completed with Eight 7-inch
guns and twenty four 68 pounders. on the main deck and a further
three 7 inch breach loaders on the upper deck. Commissioned
into the fleet at Chatham in April 1863 joined the Channel fleet but
only served there for a few months before moving to the Mediterranean.
along with HMS Resistance. they were the first two Ironclads to pass
the straits. Paid off for refit mainly for re arming in 1867. she
was re-armed with four 8 inch MLR and twenty 7
inch MLR re joined the channel fleet. During this period involved in
a incident when HMS warrior rammed into her in thick fog. damage included
the shearing off of the back stays, chains and boats. . in
1869 sent back to the Mediterranean. during the opening of the
Suez canal she ran aground on an uncharted bank, outside port
Said (along with two other warships) She was towed by HMS Lord
Warden the incident did not cause any damage. near the end of
1871 she returned to Portsmouth for refit. but instead being laid
up, remaining for 14 years in the 4th reserve fleet and finally sold
in 1885
Notes. due to her low
centre of gravity she was a fairly unstable gun platform but
was a good steamer and also sailed well with sail. in most
conditions.
Displacement: 6366 tons. Speed:
12.5 knots, but could make 13.5 under sail. Compliment 585.
Armament: (1867) Four 8 inch Guns and twenty 7 inch MLR.
