British Sixth Rate frigate 'Iris' (1840)

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Britannia (100) 1762-1825
British 100 Gun
1st Rate Ship of the Line
1812 Renamed "Princess Royal"
1812 Renamed "Saint George"
1819 Renamed "Barfleur"
(1762)
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4th Rate Ship of the Line
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Iris
Nominal Guns	26	B181
Nationality	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Operator	Royal Navy
Ordered	20.2.1837	B181
Keel Laid Down	6.1838	B181
Launched	14.7.1840	B181
How acquired	Purpose built	B181
Shipyard	Pembroke Dockyard - Pembroke Dock	B181
Ship Class	Spartan Class (1837)
Designed by	Sir William SymondsBritish Designer Ship Builder	B181
Category	Sixth Rate	B181
Ship Type	Frigate
Sailing Rig	Ship Rigged
Sold	16.10.1869	B181

Dimensions

DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentB181
Length of Gundeck131' 0"Imperial Feet39.9288
Length of Keel106' 1"Imperial Feet32.313
Breadth (oa)40' 6 ¼"Imperial Feet12.1984
Breadth40' 2 ¼"Imperial Feet12.1984
Depth in Hold10' 9"Imperial Feet3.2766
Burthen911 ³³⁄₉₄Tons BM

Armament

14.7.1840Broadside Weight = 416 Imperial Pound ( 188.656 kg)B181
Upper Gun Deck18 British 32-Pounder
Quarterdeck6 British 32-Pounder
Forecastle2 British 32-Pounder

3 Commissioned Officers

DatesRankNameSource
17.3.1841 - 1843LieutenantNBD18497.1843 - 28.9.1843LieutenantNBD184919.10.1843 - 11.10.1845LieutenantNBD1849

Service History

DateEventSource
1864

Lent to the Atlantic Telegraph Company

B181
1866

Lent to assist in the recovery of the Foyle

B181
1867

Lent to the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company

B181
16.10.1869

Sold to the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company

B181

Sources

IDNameAuthorType

B181David Lyon, Book

NBD1849O'Brien, Digital Book

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Date posted	By	Page
Monday 8th of June 2026 17:20	F.F.	British First Rate ship of the line 'Britannia' (1762) (100) 1762-1825 British 100 Gun 1st Rate Ship of the Line 1812 Renamed "Princess Royal" 1812 Renamed "Saint George" 1819 Renamed "Barfleur"
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