HMS Sheldrake (1825)

HMS Sheldrake was a 10-gun built for the Royal Navy during the 1820s. In 1827 she became a Post Office Packet Service packet, sailing out of Falmouth, Cornwall.

Description

The Cherokee-class brig-sloops were designed by Henry Peake, they were nicknamed 'coffin brigs' for the large number that either wrecked or foundered in service, but modern analysis has not revealed any obvious design faults. They were probably sailed beyond their capabilities by inexperienced captains tasked to perform arduous and risky duties. Whatever their faults, they were nimble; quick to change tack and, with a smaller crew, more economical to run. Sheldrake displaced and measured long at the gundeck. She had a beam of, a depth of hold of, a deep draught of and a tonnage of 227 tons burthen. The ships had a complement of 52 men when fully manned, but only 33 as a packet ship. The armament of the Cherokee class consisted of ten muzzle-loading, smoothbore guns: eight carronades and two guns positioned in the bow for use as chase guns.

Sheldrake was ordered on 25 March 1823 and laid down in November at Pembroke Dockyard. The ship was launched on 19 May 1825 and was completed as a packet ship with four guns on 21 October 1826. She was commissioned in August 1826 and was assigned to the Falmouth packet service after her completion. Sheldrake was paid off on 28 June 1830, but was recommissioned for the same route on 9 April 1832.