Driver-class sloop

The Driver class were a class of paddlewheel steam sloops of the British Royal Navy. Six Driver-class ships were ordered in 1840 and a further ten in March 1841, although only six were built. Five were ordered in 1847, but all were either built as paddle frigates or cancelled. Two wrecked in service, while the rest served until being retired and were either broken up or sold.

HMS Driver
Class overview
NameDriver-class paddle sloop
Operators Royal Navy
Preceded byAlecto class
Succeeded byBulldog class
CostDriver: £39,707
Built1840-1846
In commission1841–1870s
Completed10
Retired12
General characteristics
TypeWooden paddle sloop
Displacement1,590 tons
Tons burthen1,055+62⁄94 bm
Length180 ft (54.9 m) (gundeck)
Beam36 ft (11.0 m)
Depth of hold21 ft (6.4 m)
Installed power280–300 nhp (except Devastation and Sphinx)
Propulsion
  • 2-cylinder direct-acting steam engine (except Spiteful, Devastation and Sphinx)
  • Paddles
Sail planBrig-rigged
Complement149 (later 160)
Armament
  • As built:
  • 2 × 10-inch/42-pounder (84 cwt) pivot guns
  • 2 × 68-pounder (64 cwt) guns
  • 2 × 42-pounder (22 cwt) carronades
  • After 1856:
  • 1 × 10-inch/42-pounder (84 cwt) pivot guns
  • 1 × 68-pounder (95 cwt) gun
  • 4 × 32-pounder (42 cwt) guns
  • Later:
  • 1 × 10-inch/42-pounder (84 cwt) pivot guns
  • 1 × 110 pdr Armstrong gun
  • 4 × 32-pounder (42 cwt) guns
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