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HMS ''Infernal'' was an 8-gun bomb vessel of the Royal Navy, constructed in 1757 and in service until 1763. Designed by Thomas Slade, she was the prototype for six subsequent Infernal class bomb vessels which saw service in the Mediterranean and the West Indies during the Seven Years' War with France. In 1760 she was refitted as a sloop and returned to active service in the Caribbean.〔Winfield 2007, p.342〕 ''Infernal'' was paid off at the conclusion of the War in 1763, and sold out of Navy service in 1774.〔 == Construction == ''Infernal'' was the first of seven bomb vessels designed by Surveyor of the Navy Thomas Slade to strengthen the Navy's shore bombardment capacity during the Seven Years' War. Admiralty Orders for her construction were issued on 5 October 1756, followed by a contract to master shipwright Henry Bird to build the vessel at the civilian dockyard in Northam, Southampton. Under the contract, ''Infernal'' was to be launched within six months in return for payment of £11.5.0 per ton. Neither requirement was met, though Bird was subsequently engaged to build a second similar vessel, .〔Winfield 2007, pp. 342-343〕 Her dimensions were in keeping with other vessels of her class, with an overall length of , a beam of and measuring 307 tons burthen. Construction costs were ₤3,355 with an additional ₤2,082 for fitting out.〔 Slade's design included a narrow stern, bluff bow and broad beam, creating a short, heavy vessel capable of supporting the recoil of the mortars. A consequence of this design was that her sailing qualities were very poor, as she lacked both speed and the ability to sail to close to the wind.〔MacLaughlan 2014, p. 209〕 ''Infernal'' was ketch-rigged, and intended for a crew of 60 men. She was initially equipped with eight six-pounder cannons for ship defence, and twelve -pounder swivel guns to ward off boarding parties. Slade's design specified that two mortars be installed, one capable of 10-inch shot and the other of 13-inch, for use against fortifications.〔 The mortars were also capable of being loaded with around one hundred one-pound projectiles at a time, for use against enemy personnel. Bomb vessel construction ended on 11 July 1757, but by Admiralty Order the newly launched ship was immediately returned to Northam dockyard for refitting as a sloop. The mortars were removed and replaced with an additional six six-pounder cannons, and additional quarters constructed for an enlarged crew totaling 110 men.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「HMS Infernal (1757)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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