HMS Cockatrice was a six-gun schooner constructed for the Royal Navy in the early 1830s, serving as the lead vessel of her class. She measured 80 feet (24.4 meters) in length at the gundeck and 64 feet 2 inches (19.6 meters) along the keel, with a beam of 23 feet 4 inches (7.1 meters). Her draught was approximately 9 feet 5 inches (2.9 meters), and she had a depth of hold of 9 feet 10 inches (3.0 meters). The vessel’s tonnage was recorded at roughly 181 78/94 tons burthen, indicating a modest but functional size suitable for a schooner of her period. Her armament comprised two 6-pounder cannons and four 12-pounder carronades, providing her with a versatile offensive capability typical of schooners used for patrol, escort, and reconnaissance duties. The crew complement ranged from 33 to 42 officers and ratings, reflecting her role as a relatively small, agile warship. HMS Cockatrice was ordered on September 11, 1828, and laid down at Pembroke Dockyard in Wales in July 1831. She was launched on May 14, 1832, and completed at Plymouth Dockyard by September 15, 1832. As the second vessel to bear the name, her service history spanned approximately 26 years before she was sold for scrap in 1858. Throughout her operational life, HMS Cockatrice served as a swift, lightly armed vessel suitable for patrols and other duties within the Royal Navy’s fleet. Her construction and service exemplify the design and maritime strategy of early 19th-century schooners, emphasizing agility, versatility, and modest firepower. Her relatively short service life and final disposal reflect the rapid pace of naval technological development during that era.

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