Clown-class gunboat

The Clown class gunboat was a class of twelve gunboats ordered by the Royal Navy in January 1856 for use in the Crimean War, although by the time they were completed, later that year, the Crimean War was over and some of these gunboats were sent to the Far East and took part in the Second Opium War.

Design
The Clown class was an improved version of the preceding Cheerful class designed by W.H. Walker. The ships were wooden-hulled, with steam power as well as sails, and of particularly shallow draught (design draught 4 ft) for coastal bombardment in shallow waters.

Sail plan
Ships of the class were provided with a typical "gunboat rig" of three gaff rigged masts with a total sail area of 4889 sqfoot.

Propulsion
One-cylinder horizontal direct-acting single-expansion steam engine built by John Penn and Sons, with two boilers, provided 40 nominal horsepower through a single screw, sufficient for 7.5 kn.

Armament
Ships of the class were armed with one 68-pounder and one 32-pounder smooth bore muzzle loading cannons.