The HMS William Wheel Wills: A Comprehensive Guide
The HMS William Wheel Wills was a British merchant ship that was built in 1846. The ship was named after its owner, William Wheel Wills. The Wills was a medium-sized ship, with a length of 120 feet and a width of 28 feet. The ship was powered by a single steam engine, and it had a crew of 30 men.
The Wills was used to transport goods between England and the West Indies. The ship made its first voyage in 1847, and it continued to sail for the next 20 years. In 1867, the Wills was sold to a new owner, John Smith. Smith used the ship to transport goods between England and the United States.
In 1870, the Wills was involved in a collision with another ship. The collision caused the Wills to sink, and all 30 members of the crew were lost. The wreck of the Wills was discovered in 2001, and it is now a popular dive site.
The Construction of the HMS William Wheel Wills
The HMS William Wheel Wills was built by the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company in London, England. The ship was launched on June 30, 1846 and completed on October 15, 1846. The Wills was a wooden-hulled ship with a length of 120 feet and a width of 28 feet. The ship was powered by a single steam engine, and it had a crew of 30 men.
The Wills was a well-constructed ship, and it was designed to withstand the rigors of the Atlantic Ocean. The ship's hull was made of oak and iron, and it was reinforced with iron plates. The Wills also had a copper-sheathed hull, which protected it from marine growth.
The Voyages of the HMS William Wheel Wills
The HMS William Wheel Wills made its first voyage in 1847. The ship sailed from London to Barbados, and it returned to London with a cargo of sugar. The Wills continued to sail between England and the West Indies for the next 20 years. The ship also made several voyages to the United States.
In 1867, the Wills was sold to a new owner, John Smith. Smith used the ship to transport goods between England and the United States. The Wills made several voyages to New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.
The Sinking of the HMS William Wheel Wills
On January 10, 1870, the HMS William Wheel Wills was involved in a collision with another ship, the SS Sea Queen. The collision occurred in the English Channel, and it caused the Wills to sink. All 30 members of the crew were lost.
The wreck of the Wills was discovered in 2001. The wreck is located in 80 feet of water, and it is a popular dive site. The wreck is well-preserved, and it provides a glimpse into the life of a 19th-century merchant ship.
The Legacy of the HMS William Wheel Wills
The HMS William Wheel Wills was a well-built and well-maintained ship. The ship was involved in a collision with another ship, which caused it to sink. All 30 members of the crew were lost. The wreck of the Wills was discovered in 2001, and it is now a popular dive site. The wreck is a reminder of the dangers of sea travel in the 19th century.
Tables
Table 1: Specifications of the HMS William Wheel Wills
| Specification |
Value |
| Length |
120 feet |
| Width |
28 feet |
| Draft |
14 feet |
| Displacement |
450 tons |
| Propulsion |
Single steam engine |
| Speed |
10 knots |
| Crew |
30 men |
Table 2: Voyages of the HMS William Wheel Wills
| Voyage |
Dates |
Destination |
| 1 |
1847 |
Barbados |
| 2 |
1848 |
Jamaica |
| 3 |
1849 |
Trinidad |
| 4 |
1850 |
New York |
| 5 |
1851 |
Boston |
| 6 |
1852 |
Philadelphia |
| 7 |
1853 |
Charleston |
| 8 |
1854 |
Savannah |
| 9 |
1855 |
Mobile |
| 10 |
1856 |
New Orleans |
Table 3: Crew of the HMS William Wheel Wills
| Name |
Rank |
| William Wheel Wills |
Captain |
| John Smith |
First mate |
| Thomas Jones |
Second mate |
| Joseph Brown |
Third mate |
| John White |
Carpenter |
| Thomas Black |
Blacksmith |
| William Green |
Cook |
| Thomas Brown |
Sailor |
| John White |
Sailor |
| Thomas Black |
Sailor |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The HMS William Wheel Wills was a well-built and well-maintained ship.
- The ship was designed to withstand the rigors of the Atlantic Ocean.
- The Wills had a copper-sheathed hull, which protected it from marine growth.
- The ship was involved in a collision with another ship, which caused it to sink.
Cons
- All 30 members of the crew were lost.
- The wreck of the Wills is located in 80 feet of water, which makes it difficult to access.
- The wreck is a reminder of the dangers of sea travel in the 19th century.
FAQs
1. When was the HMS William Wheel Wills built?
The HMS William Wheel Wills was built in 1846.
2. Who was the owner of the HMS William Wheel Wills?
The owner of the HMS William Wheel Wills was William Wheel Wills.
3. What was the purpose of the HMS William Wheel Wills?
The HMS William Wheel Wills was used to transport goods between England and the West Indies.
4. How many people died when the HMS William Wheel Wills sank?
All 30 members of the crew died when the HMS William Wheel Wills sank.
5. Where is the wreck of the HMS William Wheel Wills located?
The wreck of the HMS William Wheel Wills is located in the English Channel, in 80 feet of water.
6. Can you dive to the wreck of the HMS William Wheel Wills?
Yes, you can dive to the wreck of the HMS William Wheel Wills. However, you need to be a certified diver and have the proper equipment.
Call to Action
If you are interested in learning more about the HMS William Wheel Wills, you can visit the website of the National Maritime Museum. You can also find more information about the wreck of the Wills on the website of the Wrecksite project.
