Navigating the Lower Saint Lawrence in the 19th Century.
Wreck of HMS Penelope at Pointe-à-la-Frégate, 1841 Part 3 of 3. |
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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 Naval Base Museum, and present the following
"potted" details:
"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." Rating of Ships-of-the-line.
"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." There remains numerous aspects of the HMS Penelope not yet available to the public. The following sources might be of interest to those living close to the PRO (Public Record Office) in London, where they would find the following documents without undue effort. Should anyone undertake such a visit, I'd be be interested in adding whatever they locate to our present knowledge on the Penelope, mentioning all due credits.
Part one covers a brief history from 1798, when she was built, to 1815, when HMS Penelope, wrecked at Pointe-à-la-Frégate, click here. Finally, should you be interested in participating towards bringing all the sources together, e-mail me at: Send your comments and questions to
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