Cornwallis -> 1811 Akbar

Posted by Tim Oakley on Saturday 30th of November 2019 05:17

An interesting contrast with a real frigate, not only in the prodigious capacity of the hull (as seen in the ballast and water allocations), but also in the poor performance under sail. In a strong wind the ship could manage 7kts close-hauled, perhaps 9kts before the wind, and only 10.5kts on her best point of sailing, with the wind 2 points abaft the beam. She was also leewardly and unhandy, but these shortcomings were minimal compared to her quick and violent motions in a seaway--she rolled out all her topmasts on a voyage to Bermuda in 1815, and Rear-Admiral Griffith confessed that it was 'impossible to describe her labouring'. Unfortunately, the iron water tanks made it difficult to radically reorganise the stowage of the hold, and the ship was reduced to the masts and spars of a 38-gun ship. The Navy Board, which recommended her conversion to a store=ship in 1813, must have felt vindicated.

Posted by Tim Oakley on Tuesday 12th of November 2019 02:21

31 Aug 1815, Akbar50 Captain Charles Bullen during a gale lost her main mast etc., which killed Midshipmen Haswell and Marley, and injured Mid. Whidden and several seamen.

Posted by AvM on Monday 21st of October 2019 22:14

Where you have that she was operated by the Bombay Marine?

Posted by Tim Oakley on Saturday 19th of October 2019 05:24

1815 flagship to Rear-Admiral of the White Sir Edward Griffiths on the Bermuda station.