Devonport, H.M.S. Royal Adelaide 1890

More about this scene

This is a fine view of the 'Royal Adelaide' (104 guns). Laid down at Plymouth Dockyard as HMS 'London' in 1819, her name was changed during her somewhat slow construction; she was not launched until July 1828. 'Royal Adelaide' was one of the first ships of the line to have planking right round the bow at the height of the forecastle. The weakest part of all wooden warships from the age of sail was the stern. There are numerous accounts of the destruction caused and carnage wreaked by a warship crossing the stern of another and raking it with gunfire at close quarters. The original specification for 'Royal Adelaide' called for the strengthening of the stern and reducing the size of the windows in the officers' quarters. Officers raised such objections that the plans were dropped and her stern remained open.