Argo was built to the same design as HMS Carysfort, (pictured)
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History | |
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Great Britain | |
Name | HMS Argo |
Ordered | 19 September 1757 |
Builder | Henry Bird, Rotherhithe |
Laid down | 22 September 1757 |
Launched | 20 July 1758 |
Completed | 29 January 1759 at Deptford Dockyard |
Commissioned | October 1758 |
Fate | Broken up at Portsmouth November 1776 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Coventry-class sixth-rate frigate |
Tons burthen | 601 59⁄94 bm |
Length |
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Beam | 33 ft 11.5 in (10.351 m) |
Depth of hold | 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) |
Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
Complement | 200 |
Armament |
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HMS Argo was a 28-gun sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. The ship was one of the Coventry class, designed by Sir Thomas Slade as a development of based on HMS Lyme, "with such alterations as may tend to the better stowing of men and carrying for guns."
Argo was a 28-gun sixth-rate, one of 19 vessels forming part of the Coventry class of frigates. As with others in her class she was loosely modeled on the design and dimensions of HMS Tartar, launched in 1756 and responsible for capturing five French privateers in her first twelve months at sea.[1]
The frigate was named after the Argo, the ship from Greek mythology upon which Jason and the Argonauts sailed from Iolcos to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece. The Navy's choice of this name followed a trend initiated in 1748 by John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, in his capacity as First Sea Lord, of using figures from classical antiquity as descriptors for naval vessels. A total of six Coventry-class vessels were named in this manner; a further ten were named after geographic features including regions, English or Irish rivers, or towns.[2][3][a]
In sailing qualities Argo was broadly comparable with French frigates of equivalent size, but with a shorter and sturdier hull and greater weight in her broadside guns. She was also comparatively broad-beamed with ample space for provisions and the ship's mess, and incorporating a large magazine for powder and round shot.[b] Taken together, these characteristics would enable Argo to remain at sea for long periods without resupply.[5][6] She was also built with broad and heavy masts, which balanced the weight of her hull, improved stability in rough weather and made her capable of carrying a greater quantity of sail. The disadvantages of this comparatively heavy design were a decline in manoeuvrability and slower speed when sailing in light winds.[7]
Her designated complement was 200, comprising two commissioned officers – a captain and a lieutenant – overseeing 40 warrant and petty officers, 91 naval ratings, 38 Marines and 29 servants and other ranks.[8][c] Among these other ranks were four positions reserved for widow's men – fictitious crew members whose pay was intended to be reallocated to the families of sailors who died at sea.[8]