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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: peteeenrobs on Wednesday 02 September 15 08:41 BST (UK)

Title: *HMS Lion -- Ernest Oliver Roberts **
Post by: peteeenrobs on Wednesday 02 September 15 08:41 BST (UK)

Dear Listers

I'm trying to understand more about a great grandfather who was a shipwright in Devonport Plymouth in the 1800s.

I believe he served on  HMS Lion around 1885.

Is there a way to find out more about this ship and if possible Ernest's naval record.

His father was also a shiwright and blacksmith in the Plymouth Dockyard and I'm trying to find out more about what life was like back then

Any ideas appreciated

Thanks

Prrobbo

Title: Re: *HMS Lion -- Ernest Oliver Roberts **
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 02 September 15 08:51 BST (UK)

There have been 18 ships called HMS Lion, over the years!

However, this should be the one you are looking for:
HMS Lion (1847) was an 80-gun second rate launched in 1847. She was converted to screw propulsion in 1859 and became a training ship after 1871. She was sold for breaking up in 1905.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Lion_%281847%29

Title: Re: *HMS Lion -- Ernest Oliver Roberts **
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 02 September 15 08:57 BST (UK)

What a shame it's not later...I have a beautiful postcard of a ship called HMS Lion that I nearly posted before I saw K.Garrad's response as mine is dated 1914 and has two cameos..one of of King George V and the other of Vice-Admiral Beatty.
Carol

Title: Re: *HMS Lion -- Ernest Oliver Roberts **
Post by: ScouseBoy on Wednesday 02 September 15 09:06 BST (UK)

Devonport was called  a Royal Dockyard,   more recently it was called H.M Naval Base Devonport.

They would build and re-fit ships  and also manufacture components  such as rope.

Title: Re: *HMS Lion -- Ernest Oliver Roberts **
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 02 September 15 09:15 BST (UK)

There's a Wiki article on Devonport Dockyard, in which it states:

Until the late nineteenth century, sailors whose ships were being repaired or refitted, or who were awaiting allocation to a vessel, were accommodated in floating hulks. Construction of an onshore barracks, just north-east of the North Yard, was completed in 1889.


You could also look at the website of the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre?
https://devonportnhc.wordpress.com/

Title: Re: *HMS Lion -- Ernest Oliver Roberts **
Post by: peteeenrobs on Wednesday 02 September 15 09:26 BST (UK)

thank you --- Ernest's father Joseph was described as a blacksmith and shipwright - presumably as ships were moving from sail to steam at this time so needed to add iron working skills alongside carpentry?

Title: Re: *HMS Lion -- Ernest Oliver Roberts **
Post by: bugbear on Wednesday 02 September 15 18:06 BST (UK)

Quote from: peteeenrobs on Wednesday 02 September 15 09:26 BST (UK)

thank you --- Ernest's father Joseph was described as a blacksmith and shipwright - presumably as ships were moving from sail to steam at this time so needed to add iron working skills alongside carpentry?

There's plenty of metalwork on a "wooden" ship - take a look round HMS Victory!

 BugBear