Chapter 1815.

Navigating the Lower Saint Lawrence in the 19th Century.



	Not knowing what an "orlop deck" was, or why numbers often followed the name of vessels in His Majesty's navy, I again queried the Plymouth Maritime History and Naval Heritage, and present the following "potted" details by Mike Phillips: The lowest deck in a wooden warship was the "orlop deck" with no ports or openings in the side since it was only just above the water line; above this came the "lower deck" where the heaviest guns (64 pounders) were found and where most of the seamen lived. (and which is why "lower deck" is still used to refer to men who are not officers). Above the lower deck comes the "middle deck" with the medium sized guns (32 pounders) and above this the "upper deck" with the lightest guns (18 pounders). Partial decks above this gave the "quarter deck", the preserve of the officers, and the "poop deck" where the ship was steered, and right forward the forecastle. Under the orlop deck was the hold where all the stores and provisions were kept; in a big ship, enough for 450 men for six months. The orlop deck was were the wounded were taken in battle. Nelson died on the orlop deck of Victory. The number following the ships name is the number of guns she carried. Ships were classified or rated according to the number of cannon they carried, carronades were never included in the number although rated ships could carry up to twelve 24 or 32-pounders of these. Carronades were short guns made by the Carron Co. of Scotland which were much lighter than the cannon, but could throw a heavy ball over short ranges. All rated ships (1st to 6th) were commanded by a Post Captain. Sloops, bombs, fire ships and ships armed en flute; that is a rated warship with some or all of its guns removed and used as a transport ship like Penelope as a troopship, were commanded by commanders. Smaller vessels like schooners and cutters were commanded by lieutenants. Sometimes a master or a midshipman would command a very small vessel or a sloop used to carry stores. A lieutenant, a midshipman or a master's mate could be put in temporary command of a captured prize. Ships-of-the-line were those which were powerful enough to take their place in the line of battle. That is, a 3rd rate or larger which carried guns on two or more decks. The rated ships smaller than this were known as "frigates" and carried all their guns on a single upper deck.


1st Rate	100 guns or more	875 to 850 men
2nd Rate	98 to 90	750 to 700 "
3rd Rate	80 to 64	650 to 500 "
4th Rate	60 to 50	420 to 320 "
5th Rate	40 to 32	300 to 200 "
6th Rate	28 to 20	200 to 140 "
Sloops	18 to 16	125 to 90 "
Gun-Brigs & Cutters	14 to 6	50 to 25 "

Quebec Mercury #22, Page 174. Tuesday, May 30, 1815.
	Although Penelope would have had most of her guns removed when she was converted to a trooper she still retained the 36 to indicate her rating.



	Arrived, Belvedere, Henderson, 6 days from Gaspé to government. Passengers, some officers and men of His Majesty's ship Penelope, wrecked near Magdalen River. The Belvedere wintered at Gaspé.


	From Michael Phillips' Plymouth Maritime History and Naval Heritage, we are furnished with the following "potted" history of the Penelope: Penelope, 36. (1798 Burlesdon. wrecked 1815.) Captain H. Blackwood 11/98; Mediterranean. On 26 January 18OO, he captured the Spanish xebec corvette Carmen off Malaga. She mounted sixteen 4-pounders and four swivels and the crew of 13O men was commanded by Don Estevanno Barcello. Penelope formed part of the squadron under Lord Nelson blockading Malta and watching the Guillaume Tell, 86, the flagship of Rear Admiral Decres, who had escaped from the battle of the Nile and was sheltering in Valetta harbour. The French ship was spotted by Captain Blackwood, who was stationed close in shore, when she ventured out in a strong southerly gale during the dark night of 3O March 18OO. He sent Minorca to apprise Captain Dixon in Lion, gave chase and, in less than an hour, was able to repeatedly rake the enemy ship within musket-shot range while receiving only an occasional shot from her stern guns. By the following morning the Frenchman's sails and rigging were so damaged that Lion and Foudroyant were able to come up with her in succession. They engaged her for several hours until, being totally dismasted, she was forced to strike and was taken possession of by Penelope. Penelope lost two killed, including the master, Mr. Damarel and two wounded including Mr. Silthorpe, midshipman.