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== Legacy of the Wyvern == | == Legacy of the Wyvern == | ||
== HMS Wyvern, Brigantine (1712-1736) == | == HMS Wyvern, Brigantine (1712-1736) == | ||
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The earliest namesake of the USS Wyvern is found in the records of 18th century Earth. The first recorded use of the name belonged to the HMS Wyvern, a brigantine (the shortened expression is brig) vessel. This class of vessel is equipped both for sailing and rowing, swifter and more easily maneuvered than larger ships, and hence employed for purposes of piracy, espionage, reconnoitering, etc., and as an attendant upon larger ships for protection, landing purposes, etc. The earlier days the brig was a vessel with two masts square-rigged like a ship's fore- and main-masts, but carrying also on her main-mast a lower fore-and-aft sail with a gaff and boom. In later times, while still having only two masts, it carried square sails on her fore-mast, and, as to its after-mast, it was like that of the main-mast of a schooner, that is to say, fore-and-aft-rigged. | The earliest namesake of the USS Wyvern is found in the records of 18th century Earth. The first recorded use of the name belonged to the HMS Wyvern, a brigantine (the shortened expression is brig) vessel. This class of vessel is equipped both for sailing and rowing, swifter and more easily maneuvered than larger ships, and hence employed for purposes of piracy, espionage, reconnoitering, etc., and as an attendant upon larger ships for protection, landing purposes, etc. The earlier days the brig was a vessel with two masts square-rigged like a ship's fore- and main-masts, but carrying also on her main-mast a lower fore-and-aft sail with a gaff and boom. In later times, while still having only two masts, it carried square sails on her fore-mast, and, as to its after-mast, it was like that of the main-mast of a schooner, that is to say, fore-and-aft-rigged. | ||
In the 18th and the earlier part of the 19th centuries, a sloop-of-war was a small sailing warship (also known as one of the escort types) with a single gun deck that carried anything up to eighteen cannon. As the rating system covered all vessels with 20 guns and above, this meant that the term sloop-of-war actually encompassed all the unrated combat vessels including the very small gun-brigs and cutters. In technical terms, even the more specialized bomb vessels and fireships were classed as sloops-of-war, and in practice these were actually employed in the sloop role when not carrying out their specialized tasks. | In the 18th and the earlier part of the 19th centuries, a sloop-of-war was a small sailing warship (also known as one of the escort types) with a single gun deck that carried anything up to eighteen cannon. As the rating system covered all vessels with 20 guns and above, this meant that the term sloop-of-war actually encompassed all the unrated combat vessels including the very small gun-brigs and cutters. In technical terms, even the more specialized bomb vessels and fireships were classed as sloops-of-war, and in practice these were actually employed in the sloop role when not carrying out their specialized tasks. | ||
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The Brigantine or Brig was a type of ship used in large numbers, both as a Merchant vessel and as a Naval Ship. It carried 16 guns and was rigged for speed, having both top gallant sails and royals. These ships were used by Navies of the World for scouting and reconnaissance duties. They were used to track down ships of an enemy navy. Many of the Brigs of the late 18th century could carry sweeps for maneuvering in still weather. In 1814 the British Navy had 71 brigs of various types carrying 10 to 16 guns. | The Brigantine or Brig was a type of ship used in large numbers, both as a Merchant vessel and as a Naval Ship. It carried 16 guns and was rigged for speed, having both top gallant sails and royals. These ships were used by Navies of the World for scouting and reconnaissance duties. They were used to track down ships of an enemy navy. Many of the Brigs of the late 18th century could carry sweeps for maneuvering in still weather. In 1814 the British Navy had 71 brigs of various types carrying 10 to 16 guns. | ||
==Dimensions:== | |||
*Length: 110-ft | *Length: 110-ft | ||
*Beam: 28-ft | *Beam: 28-ft | ||
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*Crew: 100 to 120 | *Crew: 100 to 120 | ||
The Brig HMS Wyvern was a typical ship of the Brig class; she saw service from February 24, 1712 until her sinking in 1736, during a storm off the tip of South Africa. The ship was under the command of Captain John Blackthorn. | The Brig HMS Wyvern was a typical ship of the Brig class; she saw service from February 24, 1712 until her sinking in 1736, during a storm off the tip of South Africa. The ship was under the command of Captain John Blackthorn. | ||
== HMS Wyvern, Scorpion Class Schooner/Battleship (1862-1922) == | == HMS Wyvern, Scorpion Class Schooner/Battleship (1862-1922) == | ||
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Bulloch therefore arranged for some French bankers to purchase the ships, nominally on behalf of the Egyptian government, it is assumed with the intention of transferring them to the Confederate flag once they were at sea. Her true ownership was to be concealed by the fiction that she was being constructed as the Egyptian warship El Monassir. The Khedive of Egypt was attempting to acquire warships, so this appeared plausible. | Bulloch therefore arranged for some French bankers to purchase the ships, nominally on behalf of the Egyptian government, it is assumed with the intention of transferring them to the Confederate flag once they were at sea. Her true ownership was to be concealed by the fiction that she was being constructed as the Egyptian warship El Monassir. The Khedive of Egypt was attempting to acquire warships, so this appeared plausible. | ||
She was to have been named Mississippi upon delivery to the Confederates. She would have been superior to all but one of the United States' Navy warships, and thus represented a most serious danger to the Union's control of the seas. However, effective Federal diplomacy prevented the emergence of this threat. Russell, being in contact with the Federal authorities, arranged that the ships should be seized by Britain. | She was to have been named Mississippi upon delivery to the Confederates. She would have been superior to all but one of the United States' Navy warships, and thus represented a most serious danger to the Union's control of the seas. However, effective Federal diplomacy prevented the emergence of this threat. Russell, being in contact with the Federal authorities, arranged that the ships should be seized by Britain. | ||
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One of her commanding officers was Captain Hugh Talbot Burgoyne, VC who was later appointed the commanding officer of HMS Captain. The Captain was also a twin turret ship. | One of her commanding officers was Captain Hugh Talbot Burgoyne, VC who was later appointed the commanding officer of HMS Captain. The Captain was also a twin turret ship. | ||
==General Characteristics:== | |||
*Ordered for Confederate Navy: 1862 | *Ordered for Confederate Navy: 1862 | ||
*Laid down: April 1862 | *Laid down: April 1862 | ||
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*Armament: 4 × 9 in (228 mm) (2 × 2) muzzle-loading rifles | *Armament: 4 × 9 in (228 mm) (2 × 2) muzzle-loading rifles | ||
*Armor: Belt 4.5 inches, Bow 3inches and Stern 2 inches, Turret faces 10 inches, sides 5 inches | *Armor: Belt 4.5 inches, Bow 3inches and Stern 2 inches, Turret faces 10 inches, sides 5 inches | ||
== HMS Wyvern D66, Modified W Class Destroyer (1919- 1947) == | == HMS Wyvern D66, Modified W Class Destroyer (1919- 1947) == | ||
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HMS Wyvern was launched in April 1919 and was part of the 16th Destroyer Flotilla. Wyvern was sold in 1947 after many trips around the world. | HMS Wyvern was launched in April 1919 and was part of the 16th Destroyer Flotilla. Wyvern was sold in 1947 after many trips around the world. | ||
The HMS Wyvern saw service in the Mediterranean Fleet. At this time the ship was not a submarine detecting Destroyer, but at a later date, mid-1930’s she was converted, as was most of the old class of Destroyers. Some were considered unsuitable as they were too old. All destroyers from 1928 forward were built with the detection gear already installed. | The HMS Wyvern saw service in the Mediterranean Fleet. At this time the ship was not a submarine detecting Destroyer, but at a later date, mid-1930’s she was converted, as was most of the old class of Destroyers. Some were considered unsuitable as they were too old. All destroyers from 1928 forward were built with the detection gear already installed. | ||
The USS Wyvern served with the Mediterranean Fleet in the 4th Destroyer Squadron of nine ships in the 16th Flotilla. Two (as called) Divisions of 4 ships with one Destroyer with a Captain aboard in charge of the Flotilla. At that time there were four Flotillas serving in Malta. After a Flotilla had served 2 years 4 months or so, it was sent back to England to pay off and all crew left the ship which was replaced by a new one which was sent aboard after a refit in the home ports. Therefore, at those times only 3 Flotillas were on station. | The USS Wyvern served with the Mediterranean Fleet in the 4th Destroyer Squadron of nine ships in the 16th Flotilla. Two (as called) Divisions of 4 ships with one Destroyer with a Captain aboard in charge of the Flotilla. At that time there were four Flotillas serving in Malta. After a Flotilla had served 2 years 4 months or so, it was sent back to England to pay off and all crew left the ship which was replaced by a new one which was sent aboard after a refit in the home ports. Therefore, at those times only 3 Flotillas were on station. | ||
Exercises with the Fleet were War Maneuvers in which, instead of part of the watch, the whole watch was on duty with extra lookouts and certain guns manned. That was when the two parts of the Fleet met in mock battle. (Red and Blue). After all exercises had been completed the Fleet dispersed. Most ships went to various places to anchor and give leave. We had 2 Aircraft Carriers with the Fleet and these also took part in the maneuvers. | Exercises with the Fleet were War Maneuvers in which, instead of part of the watch, the whole watch was on duty with extra lookouts and certain guns manned. That was when the two parts of the Fleet met in mock battle. (Red and Blue). After all exercises had been completed the Fleet dispersed. Most ships went to various places to anchor and give leave. We had 2 Aircraft Carriers with the Fleet and these also took part in the maneuvers. | ||
Whilst at Malta, the Fleet put to sea for gunnery practice. Destroyers built from 1927 also had more modern Directors to improve the efficiency of firing the guns and guns of a uniform size - 4.7". Gunnery improved on as time went on - more range. | Whilst at Malta, the Fleet put to sea for gunnery practice. Destroyers built from 1927 also had more modern Directors to improve the efficiency of firing the guns and guns of a uniform size - 4.7". Gunnery improved on as time went on - more range. | ||
==War Record World War II== | |||
*On March 13, 1941 the USS Wyvern was assigned as an escort for Convoy SL.114 through the Mediterranean Sea. She engaged and is believed to have sunk two enemy U-Boats during that convoy action. | *On March 13, 1941 the USS Wyvern was assigned as an escort for Convoy SL.114 through the Mediterranean Sea. She engaged and is believed to have sunk two enemy U-Boats during that convoy action. | ||
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One of the vessel’s commanding officers was Captain Sydney George Cribb who died 3rd January 1923 and was buried at Kalkara Naval Cemetery. From July 1939 the HMS Wyvern was commanded by Captain Reginald Gregory Haines | One of the vessel’s commanding officers was Captain Sydney George Cribb who died 3rd January 1923 and was buried at Kalkara Naval Cemetery. From July 1939 the HMS Wyvern was commanded by Captain Reginald Gregory Haines | ||
==General Specifications:== | |||
*Shipyard: James Samuel White & Co. Ltd., Cowes | *Shipyard: James Samuel White & Co. Ltd., Cowes | ||
*Laid down 19.08.1918 | *Laid down 19.08.1918 | ||
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*Max. Speed 34 kts | *Max. Speed 34 kts | ||
*Bunkerage Oil: about 350/ 320 tons | *Bunkerage Oil: about 350/ 320 tons | ||
*Crew 127 | *Crew 127 | ||
==More to come== | |||
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