The Naval Cutter Alert 1777 (Anatomy of the Ship)

128 Pages·1991·53.41 MB·English

by  Peter Goodwin

Anatomy
of the
Ship
The Naval Cutter
ALERT
-1777-

Anatomy
of the
Ship
The Naval Cutter
LE.-.
- 1 7 7 7 -
Peter Goodwin
l m
Phoenix
Publications,
Inc.
Frontispiece. Anoil paintingoftheAlert
cuttermodeldated 1775,painted by
JosephMarshall.Variousfeaturescomply
exactlytothemodified draughtofthe
Rattlesnakeused forthe 1777Alert.These
include thesquared gunports,thefive
shrouddeadeyesand threebackstaychain
plates.Thispainting formedpart ofthe
George IIICollectionofshipmodel
paintings.
(CourtesyoftheScience Museum)
©Peter Goodwin 1991
FirstpublishedinGreat Britainby
Conway Maritime Press Limited
101Fleet Street
London EC4Y WE
PublishedanddistributedinNorth America by
PhoenixPublications,Inc.
P.O.Box128,Cedarburg,WI53012
LibraryofCongressCatalogCard No.
91-67068
ISBN0-9615021-8-5
Thiseditionisauthorizedforsale onlyinNorth
Americaand territoriesandpossessionsofthe
UnitedStatesofAmerica.Allrightsreserved.
Unauthorizedduplicationcontravenesapplicablelaws.
Manufactured inGreatBritain.
Contents
Foreword 7
Author's Note 8
Introduction 9
Development 9
History 10
Construction 12
Steering Gear 15
Ground Tackle 15
Pumps 16
Armament 16
Masts & yards 17
Rigging 19
Sails 20
Ship's boats 20
Provisions 21
Bibliography 29
The Photographs 29
The Drawings 45
A. Lines and general arrangement 45
B. Hull construction 54
C. Internal hull 66
D. External hull 78
E. Fittings 84
F. Armament 97
G. Masts and yards 101
H. Rigging 104
I. Sails 119
J. Ship's boats 125

Foreword
The Alert was one of many armed cutters that were either 'bought in' or name attached to this model it is perhaps the only reliable source ofearlier
purpose-built to supplement the British fleet between 1763 and 1835. cutter rig. Ofconsiderable interest is the fact that this particularmodel has
These small, swift vessels were generally deployed for minor roles such as also been rigged with sails, a rare circumstance which has proved a great
conveying dispatches, routine inshore patrol work and reconnaissance du asset towards the compilation ofthis work.
ties; they were also used to assist the Revenue service engaged on preven Naturally, I would not have been able to produce this work without the
tive duties against smuggling. Often, the careers ofthese cutters were short kind assistance ofvarious colleagues and institutions. First, I must express
lived: most were payed offafter brief employment while others less fortu mygratitude towardsthestaffofthe NationalMaritime Museum- DrEric
nate,liketheAlert, fell to theenemy.Although the originsofthecutterlie in Kently, David Lyon and Ian McKenzie, and Simon Stephens for providing
mercantile and leisurely pursuits, these vessels were for a short period much detailed information and arranging suitable models for close exam
turned into compact and successfulfighting units. ination; also David Topliss and Graham Slatter of the Draught Room for
Informationconcerning mostcutters constructed after about 1790 iswell the provision ofsuitable plans, and David Spence for arranging the necess
documented in surviving dockyard records and other contemporary ary photography. Special thanks are also due to Keith Percival for his
sources. Prior to this date, however, the majorityofthese vesselswere built excellent photographs ofthe model ofthe Hasokccutter.
in private yards and so documentary evidence is unfortunately scarce and Further gratitude must also be extended to the staff of the Public Re
ratherfragmented. In describinga cutter ofthe 1770s it hasbeen necessary cords Office, Kew, and to \X'endy Sheridan of the Science Museum, Ken
to lookat a wide range ofsources. sington, who kindly permitted access to the George III collection of ship
The Alert was constructed to the lines of the Rattlesnake, an identical model paintingswhich were undergoing restoration.Imust also express my
vessel which was built by Farleyat Folkcstonc and launched inJune 1777. thanks to Rob Gardiner, Julian Mannering and the staff of Conway Mar
This master draught, believed to have been prepared in 1776, appears to itime Press for guidance and production ofthis work.
have been modified before actual build commenced and the relevant Last and most important I must thank my wife Jan for her dedicated
amendments governing gunports and deadeyes are marked up and anno assistance, both in research matters and in typing my manuscript with its
tated accordingly. unfamiliar terminology, and for her overall understanding, patience and
Rigging details for the Alert have been based on the contemporary model support forwhich I am once again indebted.
of the Hauikc cutter dated 1777 and currently on display at the National
Maritime Museum,Greenwich. Though there issome controversyoverthe Peter Goodwin, 1991
7
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Thetwo paintingsoftheAlertweredone as partofthe George IIIcollection
duringthe 1770sand yet both appearto be dated 1755. Ifthe date of1755
were to be believedthen itcould be assumed thatthe original draught ofthe
Rattlesnakeprecedes the actual date ofthe ship by some 20 years.
8