User:MinorProphet/Draft subpages/HMS Cyclops (1839)
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HMS Cyclops was a Royal Navy wooden-built, paddle wheel steam frigate of 6 guns launched in 1839. She was the lead ship of the Cyclops-class second-class frigates, adapted from the design of Error: {{HMS}} invalid control parameter: 4 (help). Together with three later ships derived from Cyclops these vessels formed the first concerted attempt to modernise the Royal Navy with steam power: all previous Navy steam vessels had been one-off designs.[2]
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Like Gorgon, the lack of guns on the main gun deck together with the orlop deck meant that with a reduced crew of 175 or 145 she could accommodate an entire regiment of around 500, including men, some of their families(?) and baggage.[3] She carried marines and Turkish troops into action in Syria in 1840, and also carried marines and troops to and from Ireland (including being an intimidating presence at an Irish Repeal movement "monster meeting" in 1843). She formed part of the squadron escorting the Royal Yacht on Queen Victoria's first foreign visit.
With only six guns, she was unlikely to fight against another naval warship, although she bombarded shore positions in the Mediterranean and Sevastopol, and took prizes of several Brazilian slaver ships of the W. coast of Africa. Also in the light winds of the eastern Mediterranean she made good time as a steamer delivering diplomatic messages and messengers, and carrying troops and marines in combined operations.
Although she—like other paddle steamers—was not as good a survey platform as a screw-driven ship, Cyclops was much more manoeuvrable than a sailing ship. Consequently she carried out oceanic surveys on the W. coast of Ireland; in the N. Atlantic and the Red Sea preparing for submarine telegraphic cables; and also off the S.E. coast of Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
A number of those who first served on Cyclops as midshipmen, lieutenants or captains later rose to Admiral rank.