Sloops of War: USS Wasp and Hornet

[UltraVires]

Sloops of War occupy the strange territory between smaller ships, like Brigs, and larger ships like Corvettes and Frigates.  Sloops were used by many nations during the age of sail, including- the United States, France, and Great Britain.  A Sloop was often the first posting for a young Commander, or newly minted Post Captain.  Since we seem to have a gap in medium to light ships, I though these ships would fill in the gap nicely.

 

Perhaps the 2 most famous sailing Sloops built by the United States were Wasp and Hornet.  Hornet was completed first as a Brig, but her sailing qualities left a lot to be desired, so changes were made to the design of her sister ship Wasp.  Based on the alterations done on the Wasp, both ships were re-rigged "Ship" style with 3 masts in 1811.

 

Both ships saw action in the War of 1812.  USS Wasp captured HMS Frolic, but was then Captured herself by HMS Poictiers (74 Guns) and bought into British service as HMS Loup Cervier (later Peacock)

 

Hornet had much more success during the war, capturing 3 British Warships, and several Merchants.

Both ships were later lost in Storms.

 

The Ship available in the Game could be either the Wasp or the Hornet, though for historical reasons it should probably be the Hornet, as she was the most successful.  But I do have a personal reason for wanting it to be the Wasp, I had family members on the USS Wasp (CV-6) lost during WW2.

 

Some of these pictures are of Wasp, or Hornet, but both ships were identical in design and rigging.

 

USS Hornet:

440 Tons

Length: 106'9" (32.5 Meters)

Beam: 31'5" (9.6 Meters)

Draft: 14' (4.3 Meters)

Armament: eighteen 32 Pound Carronades; two 12 Pound Chasers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: The rigging in this picture is accurate, but not to scale with the rest of the ship.  Also note the Schooner USS Grampus below the Hornet, and the flags hung upside down, as a signal of distress.

 

[Prater]

I was going to suggest Hornet and a few others.  I'll post them here on Monday.

[NorthernWolves]

Would love to have the Hornet.

[Grim DeGrim]

Without being sly, I would suggest that they just make all the American ships - there are only about 5...

[Mass]

Have you made it already or did u find that pic on the web?