Britannia, 1820
Type: 1st rate ; Armament 120
Completed : 20 Oct 1820 ; Disposal date or year : 1869
BM: 2616 tons ; Displacement: 6201 tons
Notes:

9 Feb 1822 during the recent gales it is reported in the Hampshire Telegraph that the Britannia, at Plymouth, lost a part of her covering.

29 Dec 1825 remains Plymouth.

28 Sep 1826 remains at Devonport

27 Jan 1828 in Hamoaze.

5 Aug 1829 in Hamoaze.

12 Sep 1829 The St. Vincent, 120, has been commissioned for the flag ship at Plymouth, in lieu of the Britannia, under orders for the Mediterranean.

16 Nov 1829 refitting at Valletta.

15 Nov 1829 in harbour at Valletta.

18 Nov 1829 refitting in Valletta.

20 Jan 1830 remains Malta.

6 Feb 1830 at Valletta.

3 Apr 1830 cruising between Malta and Sicily.

9 May 1830 taking on water at Palma Bay, Sardinia.

22 May 1830 arrived Malta from Palma Bay.

3 Jul 1830 off Valetta.

12 Aug 1830 arrived Zante from Corfu.

30 Nov 1830 Napoli di Romania.

20 Dec 1830 at Salamis, and was to remain there until the Acropolis was given up to the Greeks.

12 Mar 1831 at Malta.

2 May 1831 departed Malta on a cruise with the flag of Sir Pulteney Malcolm, Capt. W. J. H. Johnstone, in command.

14 May 1831 departed Gibraltar on a cruise.

24 Jun 1831 departed Malta, for England.

5 Aug 1831 arrived Portsmouth from the Mediterranean.

20 Aug 1831 at Spithead.

11 Sep 1831 departed Portsmouth with the squadron under the command of V.-Adm Sir E Codrington.

25 Sep 1831 arrived Cork with the squadron under the command of Sir Edward Codrington, and departed for Plymouth and Portsmouth 15th Oct.

17 Oct 1831 arrived Plymouth Caledonia, Britannia, Wellesley, Talavera, and Viper, from Cork, departed on the 21st for Spithead.

22 Oct 1831 arrived Spithead and remained, the Caledonia, Britannia, Wellesley, Talavera, and Viper.

26 Nov 1931 in Portsmouth Harbour.

2 Feb 1832 taken out of dock having undergone repairs and improvements, to be rigged alongside the dockyard jetty.

10 Mar 1832 it is reported at Portsmouth that the complements of the 3-decker ships in commission, St Vincent, Brittania and Caledonia, are each to be reduced by 100 men.

17 Mar 1832 is ready for sea 19 Mar 1832 went out to Spithead, Capt. Rainier in command, and the wind blowing from the N.W. afforded the spectators a magnificent sight.

24 May 1832 along with the Talavera embarked 200 men from the Royal Marine Artillery of the Portsmouth Division, under Captain Clements, RM., for transfer to the troop ship Romney, at Plymouth, for service with the squadron heading for Portugal where the Miguelites have been seizing British merchant shipping at sea, and British property ashore etc., and Lord William Russell, now embarked on board the Britannia, has been sent, it is said, to demand immediate restitution of the stolen property, backed up by an appropriate force.

24-25 May 1832 having dropped down from Spithead to St. Helens once Lord Russell was on board the squadron was held up by fog eventually departing for Plymouth and Lisbon on the 25th.

8 Jun 1832 the packet Magnet arrived at Falmouth, from Lisbon with the following news: as stated elsewhere the Portuguese had asked the British to leave the Tagus, and the Admiral was in the process of organising his departure when the Caledonia, Britannia, Romney and Viper arrived from England. The Caledonia passed over the bar and entered harbour without any problems, but the Britannia got stuck on the bar, but after starting 80 tons of water, and with a high tide, managed to float off. No mention of them, but assume that the Romney and Viper entered harbour with no problems. In the light of the additional support the Admiral signified to the Portuguese Secretary of State, Viscount Santarem, that should he hear of any British subject being insulted he would be taking active measures accordingly.

8 Jun 1832 the Squadron based on Lisbon, having been cruising off the Tagus for a few days returned to the mouth of the Tagus and has now anchored within the bar.

16 Jun 1832 off the Tagus, with the Asia, Caledonia, Revenge, Briton, Leveret, and Viper, with the Stag in the River getting supplies, and the Romney at Lisbon, providing a refuge for British subjects should the need arise. Don Pedro is looked for, but whether he would be successful against the Miguelites is not certain.

2 Jul 1832 remains with the Asia with the Squadron now reported to be standing on and off the Tagus according to correspondence received from an officer on board one of the ships. It is said that Don Pedro is looked for, but the outlook for his brother seems most uncertain, having run out of money to pay his troops, and upset everyone of influence in his attempts to obtain money.

11 Aug 1832 remains Cascaes Bay.

3 Sep 1832 departed Adm. Parker squadron, for Gibraltar and England.

4 Sep 1832 departed "the Rock" for England.

9 Sep 1832 arrived Plymouth from Lisbon, and having touched the ground off Lisbon is expected to go into dock to have the damage inspected, it being thought that a part of her false keel had been knocked off.

19 Sep 1832 towed into Hamoaze by the steamer Confiance.

25 Sep 1832 taken into dock it having been discovered that she'd lost a piece of her forefoot and that several important bolts had been started when she touched the ground.

9 Oct 1832 taken out of dock.

2 Nov 1832 was towed out of harbour, into the Sound by the Firebrand, and after embarking Lady Wm. Russell and family will depart for Lisbon.

5 Nov 1832 arrived Lisbon.

22 Nov 1832 Asia was in the Tagus with the Caledonia, Britannia, Nimrod (under quarantine), and Viper.

11 Dec 1832 in the Tagus.

8 Jun 1833 arrived Malta.

6 Aug 1833 departed Dardanelles for Napoli.

<-23 Nov-4 Dec 1833-> refitting at Vourla Bay.

18 Feb 1834 in harbour at Valletta.

23 Mar 1834 in Valletta harbour.

29 Apr 1834 remains Malta.

22 Jul 1834 arrived Vourla from Mytelene, and have since departed to Scalanova and Nauplia.

29 Aug 1834 arrived off Vourla from Malta with stores.

27 Sep 1834 With the squadron at VourIa.

31 Jan 1835 has arrived Spithead, from the Mediterranean and Gibraltar, and is shortly due to go into Portsmouth harbour to be paid off.

4 Feb 1835 towed into Portsmouth harbour by the Salamander, to be paid off into ordinary.

14 Feb 1835 Paid off at Portsmouth.

29 Aug 1835 the Britannia is to replace the Victory as the Port Admiral's ship at Portsmouth, and the officers will be transferred accordingly.

26 Sep 1835 will be undocked at Portsmouth in 10 days.

9 Jul 1836 a court martial was held at Portsmouth on board the Britannia to try Mr Robert Rogers, late Master of the Rover, of indecent assault. Mr Rogers was acquitted and the witnesses, W. Tully, cook ; Rowett, a boy ; and Henry Benjamin, joiner, were taken into custody on suspicion of conspiracy.

23 Feb 1839 Portsmouth, in harbour.

20 April 1839 Portsmouth Captain Ellice arrived this afternoon by the coach from London,, and immediately assumed the command of the Britannia.

18 May 1839 Portsmouth In dock.

3 Aug 1839 Mate Andrew Little, appointed additional to the Britannia.

17 Aug 1839 Portsmouth Mate Edward R. Power, of the Britannia, promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

2 Nov 1839 Master G. H. Cole, appointed to the Britannia, vice Yule

2 Nov 1839 Assistant Surgeon Andrew Lillie, appointed additional to Britannia.

14 Dec 1839 Portsmouth In harbour.

4 Jan 1840 James M. Hobbs (additional clerk of the Britannia), promoted Purser.

25 Jan 1840 Master Gilbert H. Cole, of the Britannia, appointed to be master and pilot of the Victory, vice Armstrong, sick ; Master R. Yule, appointed to Britannia, vice Cole ; Assistant Surgeon Andrew Lillie, appointed to Britannia, for service at Haslar Hospital ; Vol. 1st Class Hon. H. J. Cole, of Britannia, appointed to be lent to the Blonde.

1 Feb 1840 Volunteer 1st Class F. Moresby, appointed to the Britannia.

21 Mar 1840 Volunteer 1st Class Samuel Marryat, appointed to the Britannia.

9 May 1840 Assistant Surgeon H. W. Bent (additional) appointed to Britannia

16 May 1840 Mate O. P. Knott, appointed to the Britannia

6 Jun 1840 Mate W. J. Bate (from Britannia), appointed to the Wellesley.

18 Jul 1840 Assistant Surgeon Dr. R. Clarks, acting, appointed to the Britannia.

18 Jul 1840 Mate Nicholas Vansittart, appointed to the Britannia.

21 Jul 1840 Mr. James Beer boatswain of the Britannia, has been appointed to be foreman of the riggers at the Woolwich Dockyard, vacant by the promotion of Mr. M'Callum. The salary of the foreman of the riggers is �125 a year.

19 Aug 1840 Portsmouth was taken into dock for cleaning and inspecting her bottom, and was taken out again on the following day.

22 Aug 1840 Mate C. Willie, appointed to the Britannia for the Niger expedition.

22 Aug 1840 Midshipman G. R. Compton, from the Vanguard appointed to the Britannia, vice J. M. Boyd, appointed to the Niger expedition.

22 Aug 1840 Assistant Surgeon A Lillie (from Britannia) appointed to the Southampton ; Assistant Surgeon Dr. Robert Clarke, acting additional, from the Britannia, appointed to the Winchester.

29 Aug 1840 Portsmouth, the Royal Marines embark on Tuesday.

25 Aug 1840 Portsmouth, orders received to fit her for foreign service with all despatch.

19 Sep 1840 From the Britannia to the Queen.- Captain J. W. Montagu ; Lieutenants C. H. Binstead, J. Tringham, N. F. Edwards ; Master, Robert Vale ; Surgeon Thomas Miller, Assistant-Surgeon, W. F. Carter ; Chaplain, Rev. John Falls ; Second Master Henry Jackson ; Gunner James Monk ; Boatswain Joseph Flynn ; Carpenter, John Gillman ; Clerk E. D. Atkin ; Additional Clerk, J. M. Hobbs ; Schoolmaster John Mallard ; Clerk's-Assistant, John B. Burlace ; Additional Clerk, R. A. Clarke."

19 Sep 1840 From Donegal to Britannia.- Captain John Drake; Com-mander George W. Lydaird ; Lieutenants Peter Duthy, J. M. Langtry, Frederick Cannon, George Bett, Edward Little, James A. Gordon ; Master James Underwood, acting Chap-lain, Rev. J. N. Campbell ; Surgeon John Tam ; Naval In-structor, F. C. Halsted ; Mates, Henry Bernard, W. H. Lowe, John H. Cranq, W. G. L. Cunningham, George T. Paterson, Edwin Hinde, R. W. Clarke, Robert C. Tatnull ; Assistant- Surgeons, J. Campbell, W. H. Bent ; Boatswain, Thomas Bowier ; Clerk, W. Miller ; Additional Clerk, John Barrett ; Midshipmen James A. Dunbar, C.F. Coventry, E.A. Porcher, Volunteers, 1st Class, C. Kent, Thomas Andrews.

18 Sep 1840 Portsmouth The Donegal's ship's company is to be turned over to the Britannia, and to have a portion of their wages paid to them at once, and the balance on her leaving England for the Mediterranean.

3 Oct 1840, Lieutenant J. Dick, appointed to the Britannia, vice Caldwell, appointment cancelled ; Mate Charles J. Perkins, and H. J. Henkey, appointed to the Britannia.

3 Oct 1840 Portsmouth, Rear-Admiral Sir John A. Ommanney, K.C.B., appointed second in command in the Mediterranean, hoisted his flag on board on Thursday on board the Britannia, 120, in this harbour.

10 Oct 1840 to be towed out of harbour to Spithead by the Salamander an Monday, and proceed with the Howe to the Mediterranean.

10 Oct 1840 Mate John Hay Crang, of the Britannia, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant ; Mate F. B. P. Seymour, and G. G. Napier ; Assistant Surgeon R. T. C. Scott, and C. F. Miller, Volunteers, 1st class David Spate, appointed to the Britannia ; Volunteer 1st class Mr. Loch, nephew of Captain Loch, of Her Majesty's ship Victory, appointed to the Britannia."

10 Oct 1840 Portsmouth, volunteers have been received from Cowes, on board the flog-ship.

10 Oct 1840 Portsmouth, A Court Martial was held on Friday on board the Britannia for the trial of Mr. T. Barry, boatswain of the Laurel, for being in bed drunk with his wife, and incapable of moving, between the hours of 10 and 11, with a light burning in his cabin, near a curtain on the night of the 1st instant. The charges were proved, but in consideration of the high character formerly borne, and the testimonials produced, the court sentenced him to be dismissed from his office of boatswain in the Royal navy, and adjudged him to serve three years as a patty officer.

12 Oct 1840 Portsmouth The Britannia, 120, Captain Drake, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir John Ommanney, K.C.B,, went out of harbour watched by many spectators. The crew was augmented on the 16th by a draught of 80 men from the Queen.

13 Oct 1840 Mate Robert Cooper Tatnall, Britannia. qualified for Lieutenant at the Royal Naval College."

17 Oct 1840 is being fitted with lightning conductors.

17 Oct 1840 Lieutenant J. J. Caldwell, appointed to the Britannia, vice Langley ; Vol. 1st Class Adolphus B. Oldfield, appointed to the Britannia ; Clerk.James Moorman, from the Admirals office, appointed to be secretary's clerk, Britannia ; Gunnery Mates Gerald J. Napier and Edmund Hemsted, appointed to the Britannia.

31 Oct 1840, Volunteer 1st Class Adolphus B. Oldfield, appointed from Britannia to Howe;

31 Oct 1840, Orders were received this morning from the Admiralty to send on board the Britannia and Howe, for general service, 50 pensioned seamen, who are to receive their pensions to addition to the sea pay of any rating they may obtain."

31 Oct 1840, was paid wages on Thursday ; unmoored this evening and will proceed to-morrow to the Mediterranean.

Nov 1840 Portsmouth, Britannia and Howe departed 1st for the Mediterranean, but the wind was too light and they returned. On the 3rd they succeeded in getting as far as Portland Bill, but a strong south-westerly set in and they returned to to Spithead, Gunnery practice was carried out at a mark on the 5th. Both ships will sail when the wind is more favourable.

7 Nov 1840 Second Master W. H. Balliston (additional), Second Master Stephen Johns, appointed to the Britannia.

19 Nov 1840 Portsmouth The Britannia, and Howe departed at an early hour for the Mediterranean.

7 Jan 1841 arrived at the Bay of Marmorice.

13 Feb 1841 Clerk, Mr. James M. Lowcay, appointed to the Britannia, vice Miller appointed Admiralty clerk of the same ship.

10 Apr 1841 departed from Marmorice-bay, for Malta.

17 Apr 1841 Captain Michael Seymour, appointed to the Britannia, vice Drake.

21 Apr 1841 arrived at Malta.

26 May 1841 at Malta.

30 May 1841 had left Malta for Sicily to water, with the Rodney, returning again after visiting Naples.

12 Jun 1841 Malta, is to be surveyed in view of reports of dry rot in her hull.

25 Jun 1841 Malta, has been surveyed and found perfectly sound ; a few of her bolts, from which the wood had shrunk, have been re-clinched, and held tight.

17 Jul 1841 departed Malta, with the Howe, Vanguard, Hazard, and Cyclops, for Corfu, Piraeus, Candia, and the Levant on a squadron cruise.

23 Jul 1841 arrived off Corfu, and was towed into harbour by the Cyclops.

14 Aug 1841 Lieutenant E. M. Lyons (additional), appointed.

4 Sep 1841 Assistant-Surgeon R. T. C. Scott (1833), of the Britannia, promoted to Surgeon.

5 Sep 1841 at Valetta

22 Sep 1841 the flag was transferred to the Powerful, from Britannia, when the latter departed Malta for England.

25 Oct 1841 came into Plymouth Sound, from Malta, a strong N.E. wind preventing her proceeding any further up the Channel.

31 Oct 1841 Plymouth Sound, departed for Portsmouth,

2 Nov 1841 arrived at Spithead from Plymouth and came into harbour on Thursday to be paid off.

13 Nov 1841 Portsmouth, was paid off. The Avon departed for Plymouth with men paid-off from the Britannia.

14 Nov 1841 Plymouth, The Avon steamer, Lieutenant C. Jenkins, arrived from Portsmouth with volunteers paid off from the Britannia, and departed again on the same day for Liverpool.

20 Nov 1841 Portsmouth, Messrs. Lang, Fincham, and Atkins, the master shipwrights, on their return from Plymouth, have surveyed the Britannia, and found her to be sound and seaworthy.

10 Oct 1842 to be fitted as an "Advanced Ship," at Portsmouth, her masts, spars, and rigging, are to be prepared, fitted, ticketed, and housed in the Dockyard, and the ships are to have their bulk heads put up, their anchors, chain cables, and tanks on board, and their armament is to be kept ready in the Gun Wharf.

Jan 1848 Portsmouth

20 Dec 1848 Portsmouth

2 Apr 1851 The Victory, flag ship, Britannia, and other ships in commission at this port, in pursuance of orders, commenced getting up their lower yards and top-masts this morning at eight o'clock.

30 Aug 1851 Portsmouth

Oct 1853 Circa. At the Dardanelles 970 men, Vice-Admiral J. W. D. Dundas. Captain T. W. Carter, with rest of Mediterranean Fleet.

Aug 1854 the allied fleets in the Crimea became seriously infected with cholera - see p. 409 at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow

17 Oct 1854 1st Bombardment of Sebastopol - see p. 437 at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow

1 Jan 1859 replaced the Illustrious as training ship for Naval Cadets at Portsmouth.

1 Jan 1859 Commissioned Portsmouth.

1860 Training Ship, Portsmouth

1862 moved to Portland as a Naval Cadet Training ship.

The Hampshire Telegraph of 12 Sep 1863 reports that on Tues 8th 72 young gentlemen from the Britannia were confirmed [at All Saints church] Wyke Regis, by the Bishop of Salisbury.

Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette - 26 Sep 1863 Surgeon W.H. Adams apptd. addl. to the Britannia.

30 Sep 1863 following complaints by parents the vessel was moved to Dartmouth.

Hampshire Telegraph of 3 Oct 1863 reports that the Geyser eventually departed Plymouth Sound for Portland on Saturday evening on the 26 Sep., arriving Portland on Wednesday morning 30 Sep.

Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette 10 Oct 1863 reports that the Geyser, 6, steam tug Prospero, and the lighter Hamoaze have returned to Plymouth, from Dartmouth, where they were employed laying down moorings for the Britannia.

Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette 10 Oct 1863 reports have been received at Portsmouth that there has been an outbreak of scarlet fever on board the Britannia, recently arrived Dartmouth, from Portland Roads, bringing about the usual discussion concerning the unnecessary confinement of young men on board ship.

1864 Training Ship, Home Station, Dartmouth. Number of Cases of Disease and Injury.

26 Aug 1866 a cadet's view of life on board.

Jul 1869 the Britannia was condemned and broken up and replaced with the former Prince of Wales which was renamed Britannia.

1870 Training Ship for Naval Cadets, Dartmouth, with the Trafalgar, 60, being used as a sea-going training ship for the cadets.

1 April 1876 Recommissioned, Dartmouth

1879 Training Ship for Naval Cadets, Dartmouth

1879 Tender "Dapper"

Apr 1886 Dartmouth

1 Apr 1888 New books opened.

1890 Tender: "Wave"

1890 Training Ship for Naval Cadets, Dartmouth

1898 Life as a cadet at Britannia.

Aug 1914 Late Training Ship, Dartmouth. Devonport. To be sold - For Officers borne see under HMS POMONE.