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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Soubeyran on Wednesday 15 March 17 09:01 GMT (UK)

Title: Royal Navy ships lying 'in ordinary' in the early 19th century
Post by: Soubeyran on Wednesday 15 March 17 09:01 GMT (UK)

Hello,

My ggg grandfather was a Marine, and his last ship was the HMS Beagle. I'm trying to find out where she was in between being laid up 'in ordinary' in 1820, and being refitted in 1825 for scientific voyages.

Any help/info or advice on further research gratefully received! :-)

Graeme

Title: Re: Royal Navy ships lying 'in ordinary' in the early 19th century
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 15 March 17 09:09 GMT (UK)

A ship that "lay in ordinary" was moored afloat, but without masts or rigging.

So, somewhere on the Thames, doing nothing.

Title: Re: Royal Navy ships lying 'in ordinary' in the early 19th century
Post by: John915 on Wednesday 15 March 17 09:21 GMT (UK)

Good morning,

Beagle was built at the Woolwich dockyards, she took part in a royal review on the Thames where she was the first ship to sail complete under the old London bridge.

There being no immediate use for her she was laid up in ordinary until she was refitted as a survey ship. She made 3 voyages the most famous being her 2nd. On board was Charles Darwin making his famous trip meant to be 2 years but ended up taking 5.