Launch of HMS Trafalgar
Class overview
Name	Caledonia
Operators	Royal Navy
Succeeded by	Nelson class
In service	25 June 1808 – 1918
Planned	10
Completed	9
General characteristics
Type	Ship of the line
Length	205 ft (62 m) (gundeck) 170 ft 11 in (52.10 m) (keel) Broadened: 205 ft 5+1⁄2 in (62.624 m) (gundeck) 170 ft 6 in (51.97 m) (keel)
Beam	53 ft 6 in (16.31 m) 54 ft 6 in (16.61 m) (broadened)
Depth of hold	23 ft 2 in (7.06 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Armament	120 guns (original): Gundeck: 32 × 32-pounders Middle gundeck: 34 × 24-pounders Upper gundeck: 34 × 18-pounders Quarterdeck: 6 × 12-pounders, 10 × 32-pounder carronades Forecastle: 2 × 12-pounders, 2 × 32-pounder carronades Poop deck: 2 × 18-pounder carronades In 1847: Lower deck: 4 x 8" 65 cwt 9', 28 x 32 pdr 56 cwt Middle deck: 2 x 8" 65 cwt 9', 32 x 32 pdr 50 cwt Main deck: 34 x 32 pdr 42 cwt QD FC: 6 x 32 pdr 45 cwt, 14 x 32 pdr 17 cwt
Notes	Ships in class include: Caledonia, Britannia, Prince Regent, Royal George, Neptune, Royal William, Waterloo, St George, Trafalgar

The Caledonia-class ships of the line were a class of nine 120-gun first rates, designed for the Royal Navy by Sir William Rule. A tenth ship (Royal Frederick) was ordered on 29 October 1827 to the same design, but was launched in 1833 as Queen to a fresh design by Sir William Symonds.

Armament

In the original configuration, the armament of the Caledonia class was consistent for the first three ships of the class. The exception was an increase in firepower on the poop deck from 2 to 6 18-pounder carronades.

Starting with the fourth ship, the armament of the class was significantly modified to adhere to the principle of a unified caliber of 32 pound. All guns on the middle and upper gun decks were replaced with the same number of 32-pounders. Except for two 24-pounders on the middle deck that were replaced by two 8 inch shell guns. Four of the 12-pounder guns on the quarterdeck were replaced with 32-pounder carronades. The remaining two were increased to 18-pounders, along with the two 12-pounders on the forecastle, and the carronades on the poop deck were removed.

By 1847 the armament had been brought to the 32 pounder standard.

Size

The last five ships of the class were built to a slightly broadened version of the draught, and this sub-class was armed in the same way as the last of the standard Caledonias, HMS Royal George. Except for Caledonia herself, all these ships were converted into steam-powered screw battleships during the 1850s.

Ships

References