Our Vessels

Class:

Sloop-Dirigible –

Class originally composed of five ships: Daunt-, Naught-, Peer-, Spirit- and Fruit-.

Size:

Envelope - 148' 6" (nose to tail-fin)

Gondola - 27' in length, 10’ 6” beam, 12’ draught

Planes - horizontal - twin-span 'Walfisch' pattern, width 22', depth 11' 4"

- vertical - single-span 'Zud-Kraken' with trailing fins, height 32', depth 14' 2"

Composition:

Envelope - cured Kraken hide with the usual self-healing properties native to that magnificent beast.

Hull - lacquered aerteak in structural beams, planed pine for non-loadbearing surfaces, brass deck-fittings.

Armament:

Two 4-pounder bowchasers - breech-loading (Whitworth) capable of firing shot, shell, harpoon and fouling-shot.

Decks:

One - mid-mounted wheel and plane-levers

Accommodation:

Two cabins in the aft structure, galley, heads and crew quarters in the fo'castle

Engines:

Two North British opposed-shaft steam drives, rated to 12,000 foot-lbs each - driving 6-blade fixed-pitch airscrews of 12' dia.

Range:

At cruising speed (45 knots) - 1,200 miles (no wind)

NB the fine aerial qualities of this class mean that even into a contrary wind she can make good headway so her minimum range is defined as 990 miles in any wind conditions below Beaufort 8.

Crew:

Captain, Midshipman,

Bosun, 3 Able-airmen

History of the Class