Cerberus
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History | |
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Great Britain | |
Name | HMS Cerberus |
Ordered | 6 May 1757 |
Builder | Pleasant Fenn, East Cowes |
Laid down | 13 June 1757 |
Launched | 5 September 1758 |
Completed | 11 November 1758 at Portsmouth Dockyard |
Decommissioned | May 1758 |
Fate | Abandoned and burnt to prevent capture at Rhode Island on 5 August 1778 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | 28-gun Coventry-class sixth-rate frigate |
Tons burthen | 593 14/94 bm |
Length |
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Beam | 33 ft 10.5 in (10.325 m) |
Depth of hold | 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) |
Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
Complement | 200 |
Armament |
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HMS Cerberus was a 28 gun sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy.
She was ordered on 6 May 1757 from the yards of Pleasant Fenn, East Cowes and was laid down on 13 June 1757. She was launched just over a year later on 5 September 1758.[1][2]
The frigate was named after Cerberus, the multi-headed dog from Greek mythology that reputedly guarded the doors to Hades. The choice of name followed a trend initiated in 1748 by John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, in his capacity as First Lord of the Admiralty, of using figures from classical antiquity as descriptors for naval vessels. A total of six Coventry-class vessels were named in this manner; a further ten were named after geographic features including regions, English or Irish rivers, or towns.[3][4][a]
In sailing qualities Cerberus was broadly comparable with French frigates of equivalent size, but with a shorter and sturdier hull and greater weight in her broadside guns. She was also comparatively broad-beamed with ample space for provisions and the ship's mess, and incorporating a large magazine for powder and round shot.[b] Taken together, these characteristics would enable Cerberus to remain at sea for long periods without resupply.[6][7] She was also built with broad and heavy masts, which balanced the weight of her hull, improved stability in rough weather and made her capable of carrying a greater quantity of sail. The disadvantages of this comparatively heavy design were a decline in manoeuvrability and slower speed when sailing in light winds.[8]
Her designated complement was 200, comprising two commissioned officers – a captain and a lieutenant – overseeing 40 warrant and petty officers, 91 naval ratings, 38 Marines and 29 servants and other ranks.[9][c] Among these other ranks were four positions reserved for widow's men – fictitious crew members whose pay was intended to be reallocated to the families of sailors who died at sea.[9]