HMS Tiger was a steam frigate of the British Royal Navy, launched on 1 December 1849 at Chatham Dockyard. Designed by John Edye, the vessel had a displacement of approximately 1,221 tons. She was powered by a 400-horsepower steam engine that drove side-paddlewheels, enabling her to operate under steam power. Originally classified as a 10-gun sloop, she was re-rated as a second-class frigate in 1852 and carried a total of 16 guns. During her service in the Crimean War, HMS Tiger played a notable role in the Anglo-French attack on Odessa in April 1854. As part of a squadron of eight steam paddle-wheel frigates, she participated in the assault following Russian provocation that resulted in the destruction of the Imperial Mole and damage to Russian ships and dockyard storehouses. The attack involved ship’s boats armed with 24-pounder rockets, and the explosion of a magazine caused significant destruction. Subsequently, on 11 May 1854, HMS Tiger was detached with other vessels to cruise off Odessa. On 12 May, she became separated from her consorts in thick fog and grounded about five miles southwest of Odessa. Despite efforts to refloat her, including firing guns for assistance, launching boats, and jettisoning guns, her situation worsened. Russian artillery soon opened fire, setting her ablaze in multiple locations. The ship’s captain and several crew members were severely wounded, and ultimately, Tiger was compelled to surrender after her crew attempted to burn her to prevent her capture. The Russians then destroyed her by blowing her up to prevent recovery. Her engines, however, were later salvaged and installed in the Russian royal yacht Tigr. The sinking resulted in the loss of Captain Giffard, who died from gangrene after losing his left leg, along with several other crew members. A gun from HMS Tiger was recovered by the Russians and later mounted on a pedestal in Odessa, serving as a historical memorial until further restoration in 2004. HMS Tiger’s short but active career and her dramatic loss during the Crimean War mark her as a vessel of maritime and military significance in mid-19th-century naval history.

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