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Launch of The Avenger Steam Frigate at Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth
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Launch of The Avenger Steam Frigate at Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth
Launch of " The Avenger" Steam Frigate at Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth. The ceremony of christening the vessel was performed by Miss Harding, a niece of the gallant Admiral Superintendent, Sir Samuel Pym. HMS Avenger was wrecked with heavy loss of life in 1847 on the Sorelle Rocks, near Malta. Captain Napier drowned, and only eight crew members survived. Date: 1845
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1840s 1845 Avenger Devonport Dockyard Frigate Launched Launches Launching Onlookers Plymouth Rowing Warship
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In the heart of Plymouth's Devonport Dockyard, on an August day in 1845, a momentous event unfolded as the steam frigate, HMS Avenger, was launched into the waters. The anticipation was palpable as the crowd gathered to witness the christening ceremony, performed by Miss Harding, a beloved niece of the esteemed Admiral Superintendent, Sir Samuel Pym. The Avenger represented the pinnacle of naval innovation for the time, a testament to the advancements in shipbuilding technology during the 1840s. The launching process began with a flurry of activity as the onlookers watched with bated breath. A flotilla of boats, filled with crew members and dignitaries, gathered around the vessel. With a deafening roar, the steam engines came to life, their power harnessed to move the massive frigate from its cradle. The Avenger slowly began to slide into the water, the crowd cheering and clapping as it gained momentum. The successful launch of HMS Avenger was a source of immense pride for the dockyard and the naval community. However, the ship's history would be marred by tragedy just two years later. In 1847, the Avenger struck the Sorelle Rocks near Malta, resulting in the drowning of Captain Napier and the loss of life for most of the crew. Only eight survivors made it back to shore. Despite this unfortunate ending, the launch of the Avenger remains a significant moment in the annals of naval history, a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the era's shipbuilders and mariners.
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