3-008-508 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The new iron-clad fleet: stem of Her Majesty's steam-frigate Achilles, 50 guns, 1862. 'The construction of this gigantic iron frigate, under the superintendence of Mr. 0. W. Lang, the master shipwright of Chatham Dockyard, is proceeding with the greatest rapidity towards completion: the vessel is nearly in frame, and the progress day by day is something wonderful...the forward state of everything in connection with the new fleet at this establishment reflects the highest credit on all the officials connected with it. The stem of the Achilles, of which we give a profile view, is a splendid specimen of iron-forging; it was furnished by the Thames Iron and Shipbuilding Company...and weighs upwards of twenty tons. This vessel, and the new frigates now building...are all to be coated with 5½-inch iron plates, with ten inches of teak, and the same inner skin of wrought iron. In these it is hoped that reducing the teak backing and increasing the armour plate will add to the strength of the ship'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.