Punjaub (ship)
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom
|
|
| Name: | Punjaub (1854-62) |
| Owner: | East India Company |
| Operator: | Indian Marine |
| Builder: | Cursetjee Rustomjee |
| Laid down: | 1852 |
| Launched: | 21 April 1854 |
| Identification: | UK Official Number: 47422 |
| Fate: | disarmed, sold, converted to sail and renamed |
| History | |
|
United Kingdom
|
|
| Name: | The Tweed |
| Owner: | John Willis and Son |
| Acquired: | 1862 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | frigate |
| Tonnage: | 1745 NRT |
| Length: |
|
| Beam: | 39 ft 6 in (12.04 m) |
| Draught: | 25 feet (7.62 m) |
| Propulsion: | sail plus 2x 700 hp engines driving paddles |
| Armament: | 10x 8in 68 pounder |
The Punjaub was a sail/paddle steamer frigate built for the Indian navy operated by the East India Company.
She was constructed in Bombay Dockyard by Cursetjee Rustomjee to a design by Oliver Laing. Launched 21 April 1854, the ship took part in the bombardment of Bushire during the Anglo-Persian War before the amalgamation of the Indian navy with the Royal navy led to her being sold as surplus to requirements. She was purchased by shipping line owner Jock Willis who changed her name to The Tweed and converted her to entirely sail propulsion. On 18 July 1888 the ship was dismasted off Algoa Bay and was towed to shore, but a subsequent storm drove her aground and she was damaged beyond economic repair.
Willis considered her to be a particularly fast ship. Although she was herself too large for the tea trade, he commissioned three clipper ships based on her hull design, Cutty Sark, Blackadder and Hallowe'en.
Punjaub was one of the last two frigates to be built for the Indian Navy, together with her sister ship, Assaye. Punjaub was slightly longer overall than Assaye and launched a month later. Design is credited to Oliver Laing, but is believed to originate from the lines of an old French frigate. Master builder at the yard was Cursetjee Rustomjee, who was the fifth generation of his family to run the yard, which had a reputation for building strong, fast ships.
The ships were constructed entirely of Malabar Teak. Each had two auxiliary engines driving a paddle wheel, one either side of the ship. Although giving the benefit of moving against the wind, the paddles had the disadvantage of reducing the ships' speed when under sail. At this period it was often necessary to reserve coal for occasional use because of cost and supply difficulties. Fitting out was delayed awaiting arrival of the engines from Britain.
On 1 November Bombay was hit by a cyclone, which tore roofs off buildings, drove five square rigged ships, three steamers and 142 miscellaneous small ships aground. Assaye lost her bowsprit, broken against the castle walls.
...
Wikipedia