Perseverence, 1854
Type: Troopship ; Armament 1860
Launched : 11 Jul 1854 ; Disposal date or year : 21 Oct 1860
Disposal Details : Wrecked off Mayo, C. de Verdes. All saved.
BM: 1967 tons
Propulsion: Screw
Notes:

ex-Russian Sobraon, purchased on stocks.

20 Jan 1855 Accident at Woolwich dockyard - see below.

20 Feb 1856 Refit to be expedited at Portsmouth Dockyard to embark troops for colonial service (Cdr Crang)

28 Feb 1856 Cdr JW Douglas apptd vice Crang ; Portsmouth

On the afternoon of Saturday, the 20th ultimo, a scene occurred in Woolwich dockyard which will not soon be forgotten by those by whom it was witnessed. The Perseverance, iron-screw steam troop-ship, Commander W. J. S. Pallen, had just completed her rigging and a great part of her fittings. The vessel was built by Messrs. C. J. Mare and Co., it was said on similar lines to the Prince, lost off Balaclava, and purchased by government with the intention of sending her to Sheerness, to be masted and rigged at that port.

A subsequent order was issued that she should be masted and rigged at Woolwich ; the masts were, consequently, sent from Sheerness to Woolwich, and on their being put in under the shears, she was taken into the east dock to be completed for sea. As the rigging progressed it was noticed that the masts and rigging were more suitable for a frigate than a long, narrow iron screw steamer, and it was. remarked that she would, probably, prove so top heavy as to upset on her entering the water. Unfortunately the surmises proved too true. On letting water into the dock, as the tide rose on Saturday afternoon, for the purpose of taking her out to be placed alongside the coal depot ship, she was scarcely floated, and the shores taken away, when she gave three or four sways from side to side, and turned completely over on her beam ends in the dock, the foremast resting on the roof of the chapel over the sawmills, knocking down between twenty and thirty feet of the parapet, which, however, assisted to break her fall. The foremast falling on the roof of the chapel broke it in ; and the main yard and fore yard were both broken. It was a fortunate circumstance that she turned over in the dock, as there were about 150 persons on board at the time, several of them at work in the cabin ; some were thrown into the water, and three injured. The Perseverance has had her rigging all stripped, and her fore, main, and mizen topmast taken down, a number of relays of workmen, and of the crews of the Fisgard and of the steam vessels at Woolwich, being at work all next day (Sunday) upon her. She had her engines of 300 horse power on board and some idea of her position may be formed when it is stated that the funnel is within 12 or 15 degrees of being in a horizontal line.

The engines have sustained no injury. We regret that one of the blocks upon which the vessel rested has penetrated her side, and the ship is at every tide half full of water. She now lies with her lower mast nearly horizontal ; and a spectator standing upon the edge of the dock can see almost down the funnel. During the past week workmen have been engaged night and day, without intermission, constructing a dam across the entrance to the dock. This work will be completed to-day (Saturday), when, from the water being kept out of the dock, the vessel may be repaired so as to float temporarily, prior to her thorough repair upon the injured side.- Illustrated News, February 3.