Express-class schooner

The Express class was a class of two schooner-rigged advice-boats of the Royal Navy. John Henslow designed the schooners to carry dispatches. To achieve speed they were long and sharp-lined. However, the Navy did not like them and so the Navy Board ordered no more after the launch of the two in 1800.

Class overview
Name:	Express class
Operators:	Great Britain
In service:	1800-1812
Planned:	2
Completed:	2
Retired:	2
General characteristics [1]
Class and type:	Express class
Type:	Schooner
Tonnage:	178​48⁄94 (bm)
Length:	88 ft 0 in (26.8 m) (overall) 72 ft 7 1⁄2 in (22.1 m) (keel)
Beam:	21 ft 6 in (6.6 m)
Depth of hold:	13 ft 1 in (4.0 m)
Propulsion:	Sails
Sail plan:	Schooner
Complement:	30
Armament:	6 x 12-pounder carronades

Both were commissioned in January 1801 for Jersey, and both sailed in a year or so for Trinidad. Express served until she was sold in 1813; the Navy sold Advice in 1805.[1]

The Navy tried again to find a design for an advice-boat. In 1804 it ordered 18 Ballahoo-class schooners. Then a year later it ordered 12 Cuckoo-class schooners. Both classes were built in Bermuda.