Thanks
to the fact that nowadays more and more books are digitized we are able to read
books that are some times for decades no longer available for the public for
several reasons. That's quite a pity while these books contains useful
information while the archives are destroyed, incomplete or nor accessible.
P.
395: “A beautiful sloop of war to bear the name of “York Town” is to be
launched from the Navy Yard a Gosport, on the 17th inst.(1) She is built after
the model adopted by the Board of Naval Constructors which convened at
Washington last summer, and is to mount 6 guns. Much credity is justly due to
the mechanics of the Yard for their despatch of this fine vessel, which we
learn only, occupied them 75 working days. The day selected for the launch, is
the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill (an apt association of name and
events) hand that of the first opening of the Dry Docks at Gosport to receive
the Delaware 74,- June 17,1833.- Norfolk Herald.”
Note
1.
Canney: Laid down at Norfolk Navy yard 1838, launched 17 June 1839,
commissioned December 1840 and wrecked on an unknown reef in the Cape Verde
Islands 6 September 1850. With a tonnage of 566 tons were her dimensions 117’7”
(between perpendiculars) x 32 x 15. Her armament consisted of 14-32pdr
carronades and 2 long 12 pdrs.Emmons: A 3rd class sloop armed with 16-32pdrs,
1839 built at Gosport. Hercrew numbered 150 men. Costs building complete $
106,361 and costs repair until 1850 amounted $ 71,332. Annual expenses with war
complement in commission pay 39,599, provisions $ 10,950, ordnance $ 3,000,
stores $ 3,500, medicines $ 800, wear and repair $ 10,000, contingent $ 1,200
making a total of $ 68,979. Her maximum draught was 15½ feet. Her speed was 10
knots per hour on a wind and 11 knots free. “Best sailing trim varying from 6” to 12” by the stern. Favourable
except in light winds. Ballast 25 tons, water 14,700 gallons and
for 3½ months victuals.
Sources
Army
and Navy Chronicle
dated 20 June 1839.
Donald
L. Canney. Sailing Warships of the U.S. Navy. London, 2001.
George
F. Emmons. The navy of the United States, from the commencement, 1775 to
1853. Washington, 1853.
