The self launching of the British floating battery Aetna or Etna in 1855

The Dutch newspaper Dordrechtse Courant of Tuesday 8 May published a small news item dealing with the disaster of the Aetna or Etna. Yesterday evening [=3 May] broke out a severe fire on the yard of J. Scott Russell and Co. at Milwall destroying the on still on stocks newly built floating battery Etna totally and damaging two other nearly completed ships heavily. The Etna was to be launched 5 May. It was a surprising sight for the people, watching on boats, the fire when the Etna, after burning for two hours suddenly, burning like a flare, was launched. Several people, afraid the Etna would capsize and smash them, jumped out of the boats into the river. Lucky enough, they were saved.

According to Colledge the Etna was a wood-built floating battery with the dimensions 172’5” x 44’, armed with 14-68 pdr and a builders measurement of 1469 tons. She was laid down at Scott Russell, Millwall 9 October 1854, ‘caught fire and launched herself 3 May 1855; broken up on river bank.’

David Lyon supplies more information, She gave her name to the class of wood-built floating batteries with sister ships Meteor, Thunder, Glatton and Trusty. Building ordered 4 October 1854. Her dimensions were 172’6” (gundeck) –146’0” (length keel for tonnage) x 43’11” x 14’7”and a draught of 8’8”. Her speed was to be 4½-5½ knots, a single crew and 150 nhp. The intended date of launching was 5 May 1855 and at her accident she was nearly completed.

Sources 
J.J. Colledge/B. Warlow. Ships of the Royal Navy. London, 2006, p. 6.
David Lyon&Rif Winfield. The Sail&Steam Navy List. London, 24.