HMS Gannet, Composite ship at Chatham Historic Dockyard, United Kingdom
HMS Gannet is a screw sloop of the Doterel class built with teak planking and an iron frame, measuring 57.91 meters long. The hull demonstrates the hybrid construction method typical of naval vessels from this shipbuilding era.
The ship entered service with the Royal Navy in 1879 and subsequently operated across the Pacific, Mediterranean, and Red Sea regions. After roughly 16 years of active service, it was decommissioned in 1895.
The ship became known for pursuing slave vessels along African coasts during the 19th century. These operations were part of the Royal Navy's broader campaign to eliminate illegal maritime slave trading.
The vessel can be explored at Chatham Historic Dockyard, where it is displayed as part of the National Historic Fleet collection. Visitors can examine the restored ship and view its construction details up close.
During a battle in 1888 at Suakin port, the ship fired approximately 200 rounds from its main armament. This action supported Anglo-Egyptian forces in a local conflict and marks a notable moment in the vessel's operational history.
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