HMS Sparrow was a Bramble-class cutter constructed for the Royal Navy in the late 1820s, notable for its role as a small, agile vessel within the naval fleet. She measured 70 feet 9 inches (21.6 meters) in length at the gundeck and 52 feet 4 inches (16.0 meters) along the keel, with a beam of 24 feet 3 inches (7.4 meters). Her draft was approximately 10 feet (3.0 meters), and she had a depth of hold of 11 feet (3.4 meters). The vessel's registered tonnage was 163 tons burthen, reflecting her modest size suitable for patrol and dispatch duties. The armament of HMS Sparrow comprised two 6-pounder cannon and eight 12-pounder carronades, making her a lightly armed yet versatile cutter. Her crew consisted of around 50 officers and ratings, enabling her to undertake various naval tasks such as patrols, escort, and reconnaissance. Constructed at Pembroke Dockyard in Wales, Sparrow was ordered on 20 March 1819 but was laid down in October 1827. She was launched on 28 June 1828 and commissioned shortly thereafter on 18 July, with her base established at Portsmouth Dockyard. As the third vessel to bear the name Sparrow in the Royal Navy, her service continued until she was decommissioned and broken up in August 1860. Throughout her nearly three-decade service life, HMS Sparrow exemplified the typical design and purpose of Bramble-class cutters, contributing to Britain's maritime operations during the early 19th century. Her construction and operational history highlight the Royal Navy’s emphasis on agile, well-armed vessels for patrol and escort duties during this period.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.