HMS Rattlesnake (1861)

History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Rattlesnake
Launched9 July 1861
Out of service1874
FateBroken up in 1882
General characteristics
Class & typeJason-class corvette
Displacement2431 tons
Length225 feet
PropulsionScrew
Sail planrigging
Speed11.66 knots
Armament21

HMS Rattlesnake was a 21-gun Jason-class corvette launched in 1861 at Chatham Dockyard and broken up in 1882. She was off Saint Helena when the 1871 census was taken.[1] During her third commission from 1871–1873 she was the flagship of Commodore John Edmund Commerell, Commander-in-Chief Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa Station, who was wounded at the start of the Third Anglo-Ashanti War.[2] Rattlesnake was propelled by a Ravenhill & Salkeld engine delivering 1,628 indicated horsepower (1,214 kW). When operating under sailpower, her funnel could be retracted to clear the rigging and her propeller lifted into a special housing aft to streamline her hullform.[3]

References

  1. ^ "1871 England, Wales & Scotland census". Retrieved 1 May 2025 – via FindMyPast. First name(s): John E, Last name: Commerell, Occupation: Commodore, Vessel name: HMS Rattlesnake, Off St Helena, Full address: Royal Navy At Sea and in Ports Abroad, Ships and Overseas Establishments, Archive reference: RG 10/5784
  2. ^ "HMS Rattlesnake (1861)". pdavis. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  3. ^ "1667 C. Rattlesnake 1861". Warship Archive. Agenziabozzo. Retrieved 26 November 2019.