List of gunboat and gunvessel classes of the Royal Navy


 * For gun-brigs see List of gun-brigs of the Royal Navy

This is a list of gunboat and gunvessel classes of the Royal Navy.

Wooden paddle gunboats (Indian service)

 * HMS Diana (1823)

Iron paddle gunboat (Great Lakes)

 * Mowhawk (1843)

Iron paddle despatch vessels/gunboats

 * Bann class (1855)

Wooden screw gunboats

 * Gleaner (or Pelter) class
 * HMS Pelter (1854)
 * HMS Pincher (1854)
 * HMS Badger (1854)
 * HMS Snapper (1854)
 * HMS Gleaner (1854)
 * HMS Ruby (1854)


 * Dapper class
 * HMS Lark (1855)
 * HMS Magpie (1855)
 * HMS Dapper (1855)
 * HMS Fancy (1855)
 * HMS Grinder (1855)
 * HMS Jasper (1855)
 * HMS Hind (1855)
 * HMS Jackdaw (1855)
 * HMS Thistle (1855)
 * HMS Starling (1855)
 * HMS Snap (1855)
 * HMS Redwing (1855)
 * HMS Weazel (1855)
 * HMS Clinker (1855)
 * HMS Cracker (1855)
 * HMS Boxer (1855)
 * HMS Stork (1855)
 * HMS Skylark (1855)
 * HMS Biter (1855)
 * HMS Swinger (1855)


 * Albacore class (1855)
 * HMS Beaver (1855)
 * HMS Whiting (1856)
 * HMS Nightingale (1855)
 * HMS Violet (1856)
 * HMS Seagull (1855)
 * HMS Skipjack (1855)
 * HMS Sandfly (1855)
 * HMS Sheldrake (1855)
 * HMS Plover (1855)
 * HMS Tickler (1855)
 * HMS Banterer (1855)
 * HMS Bullfrog (1855)
 * HMS Bustard (1855)
 * HMS Carnation (1855)
 * HMS Charger (1855)
 * HMS Cockchafer (1855)
 * HMS Dove (1855)
 * HMS Forward (1855)
 * HMS Grasshopper (1856)
 * HMS Hasty (1856)
 * HMS Herring (1856)
 * HMS Insolent (1856)
 * HMS Mayflower (1856)
 * HMS Staunch (1856)
 * HMS Goldfinch (1856)
 * HMS Goshawk (1856)
 * HMS Julia (1855)
 * HMS Louisa (1855)
 * HMS Bouncer (1856)
 * HMS Hyena (1856)
 * HMS Savage (1856)
 * HMS Wolf (1856)
 * HMS Griper (1855)
 * HMS Fervent (1856)
 * HMS Forester (1856)
 * HMS Spanker (1856)
 * HMS Traveller (1856)
 * HMS Thrasher (1856)
 * HMS Opossum (1856)
 * HMS Partridge (1856)
 * HMS Charon (1856)
 * HMS Haughty (1856)
 * HMS Leveret (1856)
 * HMS Mackerel (1856)
 * HMS Procris (1856)
 * HMS Shamrock (1856)
 * HMS Spey (1856)
 * HMS Tilbury (1856)
 * HMS Peacock (1856)
 * HMS Pheasant (1856)
 * HMS Primrose (1856)
 * HMS Pickle (1856)
 * HMS Prompt (1856)
 * HMS Porpoise (1856)
 * HMS Firm (1856)
 * HMS Flamer (1856)
 * HMS Fly (1856)
 * HMS Sepoy (1856)
 * HMS Erne (1856)
 * HMS Spider (1856)
 * HMS Lively (1856)
 * HMS Surly (1856)
 * HMS Swan (1856)
 * HMS Delight (1856)
 * HMS Grappler (1856)
 * HMS Growler (1856)
 * HMS Parthian (1856)
 * HMS Quail (1856)
 * HMS Ripple (1856)
 * HMS Cochin (1856)
 * HMS Cherokee (1856)
 * HMS Camel (1856)
 * HMS Caroline (1856)
 * HMS Confounder (1856)
 * HMS Crocus (1856)
 * HMS Beacon (1856)
 * HMS Brave (1856)
 * HMS Bullfinch (1856)
 * HMS Redbreast (1856)
 * HMS Rose (1856)
 * HMS Blazer (1856)
 * HMS Rainbow (1856)
 * HMS Brazen (1856)
 * HMS Raven (1856)
 * HMS Rocket (1856)
 * HMS Hardy (1856)
 * HMS Havock (1856)
 * HMS Highlander (1856)
 * HMS Albacore (1856)
 * HMS Amelia (1856)
 * HMS Foam (1856)
 * HMS Wave (1856)
 * HMS Magnet (1856)
 * HMS Manly (1856)
 * HMS Mastiff (1856)
 * HMS Mistletoe (1856)
 * HMS Earnest (1856)
 * HMS Escort (1856)


 * Cheerful-class gunboat
 * HMS Cheerful (1856)
 * HMS Chub (1856)
 * HMS Daisy (1856)
 * HMS Dwarf (1856)
 * HMS Blossom (1856)
 * HMS Gadfly (1856)
 * HMS Gnat (1856)
 * HMS Garland (1856)
 * HMS Fidget (1856)
 * HMS Flirt (1856)
 * HMS Onyx (1856)
 * HMS Pert (1856)
 * HMS Midge (1856)
 * HMS Tiny (1856)
 * HMS Angler (1856)
 * HMS Ant (1856)
 * HMS Nettle (1856)
 * HMS Pet (1856)
 * HMS Decoy (1856)
 * HMS Rambler (1856)


 * Clown-class gunboat
 * HMS Fenella (1856)
 * HMS Garnet (1856)
 * HMS Handy (1856)
 * HMS Hunter (1856)
 * HMS Drake (1856)
 * HMS Janus (1856)
 * HMS Clown (1856)
 * HMS Kestrel (1856)
 * HMS Ready (1856)
 * HMS Thrush (1856)
 * HMS Watchful (1856)
 * HMS Woodcock (1856)


 * Algerine-class gunboat
 * HMS Jaseur (1857)
 * HMS Jasper (1857)
 * HMS Algerine (1857)
 * HMS Lee (1857)
 * HMS Leven (1857)
 * HMS Slaney (1857)


 * Britomart-class gunboat
 * HMS Britomart (1860)
 * HMS Cockatrice (1860)
 * HMS Wizard (1860)
 * HMS Speedy (1860)
 * HMS Doterel (1860)
 * HMS Heron (1860)
 * HMS Pigeon (1860)
 * HMS Linnet (1860)
 * HMS Tyrian (1861)
 * HMS Trinculo (1860)
 * HMS Cherub (1865)
 * HMS Netley (1866)
 * HMS Minstrel (1865)
 * HMS Orwell (1866)
 * HMS Cromer (1867)
 * HMS Bruiser (1867) (or Bruizer)
 * HMS Bramble (cancelled)
 * HMS Crown (cancelled)
 * HMS Protector (cancelled)
 * HMS Danube (cancelled)

Composite screw gunboats
The gunboats designed from 1870 onwards were of composite construction, i.e. they had an iron keel, stem and stern posts, and iron framing, with wooden planking retained over the iron frames.


 * Ariel class
 * HMS Coquette (1871)
 * HMS Foam (1871)
 * HMS Decoy (1871)
 * HMS Merlin (1871)
 * HMS Mosquito (1871)
 * HMS Goshawk (1872)
 * HMS Swinger (1872)
 * HMS Ariel (1873)
 * HMS Zephyr (1873)


 * Forester class (1874)


 * Banterer-class gunboat (1880)
 * HMS Redwing (1880)
 * HMS Grappler (1880)
 * HMS Wrangler (1880)
 * HMS Wasp (1880)
 * HMS Banterer (1880)
 * HMS Espoir (1880)
 * HMS Bullfrog (1880)
 * HMS Cockchafer (1881)
 * HMS Starling (1882)
 * HMS Stork (1882)
 * HMS Raven (1882)


 * Albacore class (1883)


 * Bramble class
 * HMS Rattler (1886)
 * HMS Wasp (1886)
 * HMS Lizard (1886)
 * HMS Bramble (1886)


 * Pygmy class (1888)


 * Redbreast class
 * HMS Magpie (1889)
 * HMS Redbreast (1889)
 * HMS Redpole (1889)
 * HMS Ringdove (1889)
 * HMS Lapwing (1889)
 * HMS Goldfinch (1889)
 * HMS Thrush (1889)
 * HMS Widgeon (1889)
 * HMS Sparrow (1889)

Armoured gunboats
The only ironclads of gunboat size were three largely experimental (and unsuccessful) vessels ordered in 1864. The first two were towed to Bermuda (being considered unsatisfactory to sail under their own power) where they served as harbour vessels. Vixen was the first twin-screw vessel built for the Royal Navy, and Waterwitch employed a form of water pump propulsion.


 * HMS Vixen (1865)
 * HMS Viper (1865)
 * HMS Waterwitch (1866)

Iron coastal gunboats

 * Staunch class (1867)


 * Plucky class (1870)


 * Ant class - Gadfly, Pincher, Griper and Tickler are sometimes referred to as the Gadfly class.
 * HMS Blazer (1870)
 * HMS Comet (1870)
 * HMS Bustard (1871)
 * HMS Kite (1871)
 * HMS Scourge (1871)
 * HMS Snake (1871)
 * HMS Mastiff (1871)
 * HMS Bloodhound (1871)
 * HMS Arrow (1871)
 * HMS Bonetta (1871)
 * HMS Badger (1872)
 * HMS Fidget (1872)
 * HMS Bulldog (1872)
 * HMS Pike (1872)
 * HMS Pickle (1872)
 * HMS Snap (1872)
 * HMS Ant (1873)
 * HMS Cuckoo (1873)
 * HMS Hyaena (1873)
 * HMS Weazel (1873)
 * HMS Gadfly (1879)
 * HMS Pincher (1879)
 * HMS Griper (1879)
 * HMS Tickler (1879)


 * Medina class (or "River" class) (1876)
 * HMS Medina (1876)
 * HMS Medway (1876)
 * HMS Sabrina (1876)
 * HMS Spey (1876)
 * HMS Tay (1876)
 * HMS Tees (1876)
 * HMS Dee (1877)
 * HMS Don (1877)
 * HMS Esk (1877)
 * HMS Slaney (1877)
 * HMS Trent (1877)
 * HMS Tweed (1877)

Steel coastal gunboats

 * Bouncer class (1881)


 * Handy class (1882)


 * Drudge class (1882)

Torpedo ram

 * Polyphemus class
 * HMS Polyphemus (1881)
 * Hull 2 (cancelled 10 November 1882 before being named)
 * Adventure (cancelled 12 August 1885)

Torpedo gunboats

 * HMS Rattlesnake (1886)
 * Grasshopper class (1887)


 * Sharpshooter class
 * HMS Sharpshooter (1888)
 * HMS Spanker (1889)
 * HMS Speedwell (1889)
 * HMS Seagull (1889)
 * HMS Salamander (1889)
 * HMS Sheldrake (1889)
 * HMS Skipjack (1889)
 * HMS Boomerang (1889)
 * HMS Karakatta (1889)
 * HMS Plassey (1890)
 * HMS Assaye (1890)
 * HMS Gossamer (1890)
 * HMS Gleaner (1890)


 * Alarm class
 * HMS Jason (1892)
 * HMS Circe (1892)
 * HMS Hebe (1892)
 * HMS Onyx (1892)
 * HMS Leda (1892)
 * HMS Alarm (1892)
 * HMS Jaseur (1892)
 * HMS Renard (1892)
 * HMS Niger (1892)
 * HMS Speedy (1893)
 * HMS Antelope (1893)


 * Dryad class
 * HMS Hazard (1894)
 * HMS Halcyon (1894)
 * HMS Harrier (1894)
 * HMS Hussar (1894)
 * HMS Dryad (1893)

Steel gunboats

 * Bramble class (1898)

Wooden paddle gunvessels

 * Pluto class (1831) - steam vessel rated from 1837 as a first-class steam gunvessel


 * Firebrand class (1831) - steam vessels reclassified in 1844 as first-class steam gunvessels


 * Firefly class (1832) - steam vessels reclassified in 1844 as first-class steam gunvessels


 * Tartarus class (1834) - steam vessels reclassified in 1844 as first-class steam gunvessels


 * Lizard class (1840) - steam vessels reclassified in 1844 as second class steam gunvessels


 * Porcupine class (1844) - steam vessel reclassified in 1844 as a first-class steam gunvessel


 * Spitfire class (1845) - steam vessel reclassified in 1844 as a first-class steam gunvessel

Iron paddle gunvessels

 * Jackall class (1844)


 * Torch class (1845)


 * Bloodhound class (1845)


 * Myrmidon class (1845)


 * Grappler class (1845)


 * Recruit class (1850)

NB. A third vessel of the class was retained by Prussia.

Wooden screw gunvessels
This section includes two early iron-hulled screw gunvessels ordered in May 1845, which in other respects were half-sisters to two wooden-hulled gunvessels ordered at the same time. The four vessels comprised the first-class gunvessels Rifleman (wooden hulled) and Sharpshooter (iron hulled), and the second-class gunvessels Teazer (wooden hulled) and Minx (iron hulled). Further vessels ordered later to the same design were either cancelled or built to very different concepts. Rifleman and Sharpshooter were re-classed as sloops in 1854.

(wooden half-sisters to iron-hulled Sharpshooter)
 * Rifleman class (1845)

(Iron half-sister to wooden Rifleman)
 * Sharpshooter class (1845)

(Wooden-hulled half-sisters to iron-hulled Minx)
 * Teazer class (1845)

(Iron half-sister to wooden Teazer)
 * Minx class (1846)


 * Swallow class

Four first-class gunvessels were ordered in 1852-53; while still building, they were re-rated as third-class sloops in 1854 and will be found under the list of corvette and sloop classes of the Royal Navy.


 * Arrow class - Originally rated as "despatch vessels", these six ships were re-classed as second-class gunvessels in 1856.
 * HMS Arrow (1854)
 * HMS Beagle (1854)
 * HMS Lynx (1854)
 * HMS Snake (1854)
 * HMS Viper (1854)
 * HMS Wrangler (1854)


 * Vigilant class
 * HMS Coquette (1855)
 * HMS Wanderer (1855)
 * HMS Alacrity (1855)
 * HMS Vigilant (1856)
 * HMS Lapwing (1856)
 * HMS Ringdove (1856)
 * HMS Surprise (1856)
 * HMS Renard (1856)
 * HMS Foxhound (1856)
 * HMS Mohawk (1856)
 * HMS Sparrowhawk (1856)
 * HMS Osprey (1856)
 * HMS Cormorant (1856)
 * HMS Assurance (1856)


 * Intrepid class
 * HMS Flying Fish (1855)
 * HMS Pioneer (1856)
 * HMS Victor (1855)
 * HMS Intrepid (1855)
 * HMS Roebuck (1856)
 * HMS Nimrod (1856)


 * Philomel (or Ranger) class
 * HMS Ranger (1859)
 * HMS Espoir (1860)
 * HMS Landrail (1860)
 * HMS Nimble (1860)
 * HMS Speedwell (1861)
 * HMS Pandora (1861)
 * HMS Lee (1860)
 * HMS Dart (1860)
 * HMS Snipe (1860)
 * HMS Sparrow (1860)
 * HMS Torch (1859)
 * HMS Plover (1860)
 * HMS Penguin (1860)
 * HMS Steady (1860)
 * HMS Cygnet (1860)
 * HMS Griffon (1860)
 * HMS Mullett (1860)
 * HMS Philomel (1860)
 * HMS Newport (1867)
 * Alban (cancelled)
 * HMS Jaseur (1862)
 * Humber (cancelled)
 * Undine (cancelled)
 * Rye (cancelled)
 * Portia (cancelled)
 * Discovery (cancelled)


 * Cormorant (or Eclipse) class (1860)


 * Plover class (1867)
 * HMS Plover (1867)
 * HMS Ringdove (1867)
 * HMS Philomel (1867)
 * HMS Lapwing (1867)
 * HMS Magpie (1868)
 * HMS Bullfinch (1868)
 * HMS Seagull (1868)
 * HMS Curlew (1868)
 * HMS Swallow (1868)
 * HMS Bittern (1869)
 * HMS Vulture (1869)
 * HMS Woodlark (1871)

Composite screw gunvessels
The gunvessels designed from 1867 onwards were of composite construction, i.e. they had an iron keel, stem and stern posts, and iron framing, with wooden planking retained over the iron frames.


 * Beacon class (1867)
 * HMS Beacon (1867)
 * HMS Avon (1867)
 * HMS Gnat (1867)
 * HMS Cracker (1867)
 * HMS Dwarf (1867)
 * HMS Flirt (1867)
 * HMS Fly (1867)
 * HMS Elk (1868)
 * HMS Boxer (1868)
 * HMS Thistle (1868)
 * HMS Hornet (1868)
 * HMS Rocket (1868)
 * HMS Lynx (1868)
 * HMS Teazer (1868)
 * HMS Midge (1868)
 * HMS Pert (1868)
 * HMS Hart (1868)
 * HMS Growler (1868)


 * Frolic class (1872)
 * HMS Frolic (1872)
 * HMS Kestrel (1872)
 * HMS Ready (1872)
 * HMS Rifleman (1872)


 * Arab class (1874)
 * HMS Arab (1874)
 * HMS Lily (1874)


 * Condor class
 * HMS Flamingo (1876)
 * HMS Griffon (1876)
 * HMS Condor (1876)
 * HMS Falcon (1877)


 * Linnet class (1879)


 * Algerine-class gunvessel
 * HMS Rambler (1880)
 * HMS Ranger (1880)
 * HMS Algerine (1880)


 * Dolphin class (1882)


 * Mariner class
 * HMS Mariner (1884)
 * HMS Reindeer (1883)
 * HMS Racer (1884)
 * HMS Icarus (1885)
 * HMS Acorn (1884)
 * HMS Melita (1888)

Steel torpedo-and-gunvessels

 * Curlew class (1885)