HMS Avenger was a wooden paddle wheel frigate constructed for the Royal Navy, launched in 1845. Designed by Sir William Symonds, her build process began at Devonport Dockyard, where she was laid down on 27 August 1844 after an initial order from Deptford Dockyard was transferred. The vessel was launched on 5 August 1845 and subsequently sailed to Deptford for her machinery installation, completing her preparations and commissioning on 21 June 1846. The total cost of her construction was approximately £89,147, covering the hull (£44,777), machinery (£32,740), and fittings (£11,630). Avenger was initially rated as a first-class frigate, armed with 10 guns, but her rating was reduced to second-class shortly after her commissioning. Her armament was planned to include a mix of heavy guns: 2 68-pounder (8-inch, 112 cwt), 4 56-pounder (8-inch, 45 cwt), and 4 32-pounder (25 cwt) guns. The main deck was equipped to mount 16 32-pounder guns, with the capacity to add more heavy guns if cabins were removed. Throughout 1846 and into 1847, her armament configurations varied, with reports indicating she carried 10 guns in the Channel Fleet, and later, only 6 guns by late 1847, suggesting she may have been unarmed on her main deck at that time. HMS Avenger served with the Channel Fleet from April 1846 until November 1847, after which she was transferred to the Mediterranean. Her service was short-lived, culminating in a tragic wreck. On 20 December 1847, while sailing from Gibraltar to Malta under the command of Captain Charles Elers Napier, she ran onto the Sorelle Rocks near Tunisia. The disaster resulted in the drowning of Captain Napier and the loss of most of the crew, with only eight survivors. The wreck marked a significant and tragic event in her brief maritime history, exemplifying the perils faced by naval vessels during this 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.