Greek Sloop-of-War Karteria (Perseverance) 1826-1831

Anything and everything about sailing vessels, be they warships, merchantmen or something completely different
AvM
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Re: Greek Sloop-of-War Karteria (Perseverance) 1826-1831

Post by AvM »

A.Gordon was the main builder of the rest of steamers for Greece

There is a short article
http://greenwichindustrialhistory.blogspot.de/2012/11/gordons-and-their-deptford-shipyard.html
Makis
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Re: Greek Sloop-of-War Karteria (Perseverance) 1826-1831

Post by Makis »

The paddle-steamer Enterprize was the second ship. Her name in Greek was "Επιχείρησις".
Actually, the two boilers now at Salamis Navy base, belong to two different ships.
The rectangular one belonged to Karteria, and the cylindrical to the Enterprize.
Makis
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Re: Greek Sloop-of-War Karteria (Perseverance) 1826-1831

Post by Makis »

Navy officers of the base say that the hull of either Karteria or Enterprize was sunk deliberately to build a new pier at the base. They also say that in the near future there is going to be an archaeological investigation to find out which one.
btw, those were all sailing ships, they used the steam engines only when engaged in battle. The idea of Hastings and Cochrane was the superior maneuvrability under fire and the employement of few, but powerful guns.
AvM
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Re: Greek Sloop-of-War Karteria (Perseverance) 1826-1831

Post by AvM »

From my notices:

Epicheirisis ex Enteprize , employed during the War was laid up at Poros due to engine problems and sold 1833 for 14,991 drachmes

I do not know how much was 15k Drachmes ?
Makis
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Re: Greek Sloop-of-War Karteria (Perseverance) 1826-1831

Post by Makis »

Most probably that would be a silver drachma, almost 0,9 to the french franc.
Poros was the first Greek Navy base, close to Salamis and both in the Saronic gulf.
The hull could have been re-employed later on for scrap.
AvM
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Re: Greek Sloop-of-War Karteria (Perseverance) 1826-1831

Post by AvM »

Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser - Wednesday 06 June 1827
. The Enterprize steamer (the onfortunate vessel in. tended for Greeks) having had pieces affixed her sideto obviate her rolling, and a piece joined to her rudder, the dock Turnchapel. Plymouth, well as' « repair of her boilers, onco moro about attempt her voyage the Archipelago. I said 40.000 L had been expended on this vessel before she quitted the Thames
Makis
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Re: Greek Sloop-of-War Karteria (Perseverance) 1826-1831

Post by Makis »

Damages during trials in the Channel. They said the paddle blades were too short and the boilers overheated. That's why the ships sailed and used the engine only in battle. Obviously they were novelties and not very reliable.
JohnH
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Re: Greek Sloop-of-War Karteria (Perseverance) 1826-1831

Post by JohnH »

The boilers of these vessels were high pressure. This was Thomas Cochrane’s decision and was a mistake. As you say, Makis, the engines were novel and not reliable. Both Karteria and Epicheirisis suffered boiler explosions during their voyages to Greece.

According to Douglas Dakin in Mariner’s Mirror, vol. 39 p. 218, Admiral Andreas Miaoulis blew up Karteria at Poros in August 1831 along with the frigate Hellas during the civil war that followed Greek independence (to prevent seizure of the ships by Russian forces). That does not prevent the remains being used as foundations for a pier, however, especially if its destruction was incomplete.

A list of the Greek fleet in January 1830 in ADM 1/4244 (sent to the Admiralty by the British Foreign Office) includes three steamers: Karteria (8 guns), Enterprize (8 guns) and Hermes (4 guns). Names are as in the Foreign Office report. Hermes was known as Irresistable while under construction and was of similar size to Karteria and Epicheirisis (ex Enterprize). It reached Greece in September 1828. A fourth steamer Mercury, to a smaller design, arrived in Greece later that year. The last two steamers of Cochrane’s original program (known as Alert and Lasher) never left England as funds had run out. They were similar to Mercury. The smaller vessels were to be 100 feet long and 16 feet broad (inside paddle boxes), with 40 horse-power engines, but needed lengthening by 15 feet before completion.
AvM
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Re: Greek Sloop-of-War Karteria (Perseverance) 1826-1831

Post by AvM »

JohnH wrote: Mon Feb 12, 2018 3:28 am Hermes was known as Irresistable while under construction and was of similar size to Karteria and Epicheirisis (ex Enterprize). It reached Greece in September 1828. A fourth steamer Mercury, to a smaller design, arrived in Greece later that year. The last two steamers of Cochrane’s original program (known as Alert and Lasher) never left England as funds had run out. They were similar to Mercury. The smaller vessels were to be 100 feet long and 16 feet broad (inside paddle boxes), with 40 horse-power engines, but needed lengthening by 15 feet before completion.
Irrestible have to be named Akatamahitos (Ακαταμάχητος)

Hermis (Ερμής) was built as Mercury
and recieved builders certificate 27.06.1828 by A.Gordon & Co., Deptford,
was registered at London #212 on 21.07.1828 to W.Cochrane
108 tons burthen 120’ 8” x 17’ 4” x 6’ 6”
(source BT107/53)
Hermis saw no naval action, being employed mainly as a transport. Her engines were removed in 1837 and fitted on Prinkips Maximilianos and her hull was employed in 1841 ans a pontoon for salvage operations.

Lloyds's List etc
MercuryLeft Thames on 05.08.1828 for Marseilles, under E.Blacquiere, reached Greece on 18.09.1828.

London Courier and Evening Gazette - Thursday 25 October 1827
Several experiments have recently been made relative to th« powers the steam-boat Irresistible, which is intended to proceed the Mediterranean without delay, and he commanded Lord Cochrane. The last of these trials took place in the Thames yesterday, and she was found answer the most sanguine eapecmiioM, and she will immediately dispatched to join the Greek fleet.
Morning Advertiser - Wednesday 31 October 1827
To the Editor the Morning Advertiser

Sir,-For the purpose of preventing any erroneous statement of the serious Accident by Fire, which occurred tin afternoon on board the Irresistable Steam Vessel, her return from Gravesend, I beg to acqoaint yon, toi the information of the Public, that this calamitous event was occasioned by the Store Coals having been placed near the flues'of the Boilers, and where they had ignited perceived hv anv person on board, and was not discovered until the flames burst forth against the sides the vessel with a rapidity and power that could not be subdued, fthe result which am afraid w ill produce the entire destruction of the vessel.
I am, Sir, your humble Servant,
J. M’PHEKSON, Commander.
Halfway Reach, Oct. 30,1827, Eight o'clock, P.M.
Cheltenham Chronicle - Thursday 08 November 1827
Awful Fire on board Steam boat. —On Monday, a very fine steam-boat, the Irresistible, (one of those built for the service of the Greeks against the Turks.) left Limehonse for the first time, on an experim-ntal trip the Nore. and back again. She went on admirably —bat unfortunately, when returning, near Gravesend, six o’clock Tuesday night, she was discovered to have caught fire! This was occasioned by the store coals having been placed near the Hues of the boilers, where they had ignited, and were not discovered until the flames burst forth against the sides of Ihe vessel. Every effort was made by all parlies on board to prevent the further action of fire, but unhappily without success. The fiery element continued its devastating coarse until nine o’clock night, when the vessel was nearly burnt to the water's edge. Two of the men on board were severely scalded. The steam-boat was valued at between 9000£. and 10,000£.
AvM
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Re: Greek Sloop-of-War Karteria (Perseverance) 1826-1831

Post by AvM »

The Times (London, England), Monday, Sep 24, 1827;

The Greek loan, and the Greek steam-boat expedition, which have long been looked upon by respectable.
on the 5.03.1825 10,000£ ... Mr Edward Ellice give orders
to mr. brent to build the vessel andf Mr.Galloway to coonstruct the machinery.

Agreement done 27.08.1825
between Jacob and Samson Ricardo,..., in London
and
Alexander Galloway, enigineer &c, of West street , Smithfield
to
construct and make four good substantial high pressure steame engines
each of 60 horse powers , with wrought iron boilers ..
to enable the said engines to propel two vessels
150ft long 25feets beam and to draw four feet and a half , but not exceed five feet,
...
for a sum of 8,000£
and the furtehr sum of 800£ for conveying and fixing
...
the first pair of engines to be delivered on the 25th October, the second pair on the 25th day of November;
and each pair to be fixed and set to work in 14 or 18 days after the delivery of each pair of engines...

...
said Alexander Galloway further agrees to al

construct and make four good substantial high pressure steame engines
each of 20 horse powers , with wrought iron boilers ..
to enable the said engines to propel two vessels
100ft long 16feets beam and to draw two feet and a half ,to three feet with water and stores,
...
for a sum of 4,800£
and the furtehr sum of 500£ for conveying and fixing
...
the first pair of engines to be delivered on the 8th October, the second pair on the 8th day of November;
and each pair to be fixed and set to work in 14 after the delivery of each pair of engines...

....
being 8 of 14 engines ordered by Lord Cochrane
The two large steamers are named Enterprise and Irresstible are mentioned in article

ie Cochrane ordered 14 engines , so for 7 ships.

we know orderrs for 5 ships (Persevarance, 2 large, 2 small).
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