HMS Leander-- Part 2: A Large Spar-Decked Frigate

The Leander was a new type of ship in the British Navy.

It is too bad that neither one of these British frigates ever were able to engage their American counterpart.  And, it wasn't for not trying.  They gave chase to American frigates on several occasions, including the USS Constitution.  But, they were never able to bring on a fight.

The 5th Rate HMS Leander was completed 18 February 1814 and had a crew of 450.  It was 174-feet long and had a 45-foot beam.  It's armament consisted of thirty 24-pounders on the upper deck, twenty-six 42-pdr. carronades on the spar deck as well as four 24-pdrs. on the forecastle.  (I have also seen it listed as carrying 50 guns.)

The Leander fired 3000 round shot at Algiers during the Second Barbary War and also spent some time as the flagship of the North American Station before being refitted as a receiving ship in 1822 and it was broken up in 1830.

--Brock-Perry