List of gunboat and gunvessel classes of the Royal Navy

This is a list of gunboat and gunvessel classes of the Royal Navy.

For gun-brigs see List of gun-brigs of the Royal Navy.

Wooden paddle gunboats (Indian service)

 * HMS Diana (1823)

Iron paddle gunboat (Great Lakes)

 * Mowhawk (1843)

Iron paddle despatch vessels/gunboats

 * Bann-class gunboat (1855)

Wooden screw gunboats

 * Gleaner (or Pelter) class
 * HMS Pelter (1854)
 * HMS Pincher (1854)
 * HMS Badger (1854)
 * HMS Snapper (1854)
 * HMS Gleaner (1854)
 * HMS Ruby (1854)
 * Dapper-class gunboat
 * HMS Lark (1855)
 * HMS Magpie (1855)
 * HMS Dapper (1855)
 * HMS Fancy (1855)
 * HMS Grinder (1855)
 * HMS Jasper (1855)
 * HMS Hind (1855)
 * HMS Jackdaw (1855)
 * HMS Thistle (1855)
 * HMS Starling (1855)
 * HMS Snap (1855)
 * HMS Redwing (1855)
 * HMS Weazel (1855)
 * HMS Clinker (1855)
 * HMS Cracker (1855)
 * HMS Boxer (1855)
 * HMS Stork (1855)
 * HMS Skylark (1855)
 * HMS Biter (1855)
 * HMS Swinger (1855)
 * Albacore-class gunboat (1855)
 * HMS Beaver (1855)
 * HMS Whiting (1856)
 * HMS Nightingale (1855)
 * HMS Violet (1856)
 * HMS Seagull (1855)
 * HMS Skipjack (1855)
 * HMS Sandfly (1855)
 * HMS Sheldrake (1855)
 * HMS Plover (1855)
 * HMS Tickler (1855)
 * HMS Banterer (1855)
 * HMS Bullfrog (1855)
 * HMS Bustard (1855)
 * HMS Carnation (1855)
 * HMS Charger (1855)
 * HMS Cockchafer (1855)
 * HMS Dove (1855)
 * HMS Forward (1855)
 * HMS Grasshopper (1856)
 * HMS Hasty (1856)
 * HMS Herring (1856)
 * HMS Insolent (1856)
 * HMS Mayflower (1856)
 * HMS Staunch (1856)
 * HMS Goldfinch (1856)
 * HMS Goshawk (1856)
 * HMS Julia (1855)
 * HMS Louisa (1855)
 * HMS Bouncer (1856)
 * HMS Hyena (1856)
 * HMS Savage (1856)
 * HMS Wolf (1856)
 * HMS Griper (1855)
 * HMS Fervent (1856)
 * HMS Forester (1856)
 * HMS Spanker (1856)
 * HMS Traveller (1856)
 * HMS Thrasher (1856)
 * HMS Opossum (1856)
 * HMS Partridge (1856)
 * HMS Charon (1856)
 * HMS Haughty (1856)
 * HMS Leveret (1856)
 * HMS Mackerel (1856)
 * HMS Procris (1856)
 * HMS Shamrock (1856)
 * HMS Spey (1856)
 * HMS Tilbury (1856)
 * HMS Peacock (1856)
 * HMS Pheasant (1856)
 * HMS Primrose (1856)
 * HMS Pickle (1856)
 * HMS Prompt (1856)
 * HMS Porpoise (1856)
 * HMS Firm (1856)
 * HMS Flamer (1856)
 * HMS Fly (1856)
 * HMS Sepoy (1856)
 * HMS Erne (1856)
 * HMS Spider (1856)
 * HMS Lively (1856)
 * HMS Surly (1856)
 * HMS Swan (1856)
 * HMS Delight (1856)
 * HMS Grappler (1856)
 * HMS Growler (1856)
 * HMS Parthian (1856)
 * HMS Quail (1856)
 * HMS Ripple (1856)
 * HMS Cochin (1856)
 * HMS Cherokee (1856)
 * HMS Camel (1856)
 * HMS Caroline (1856)
 * HMS Confounder (1856)
 * HMS Crocus (1856)
 * HMS Beacon (1856)
 * HMS Brave (1856)
 * HMS Bullfinch (1856)
 * HMS Redbreast (1856)
 * HMS Rose (1856)
 * HMS Blazer (1856)
 * HMS Rainbow (1856)
 * HMS Brazen (1856)
 * HMS Raven (1856)
 * HMS Rocket (1856)
 * HMS Hardy (1856)
 * HMS Havock (1856)
 * HMS Highlander (1856)
 * HMS Albacore (1856)
 * HMS Amelia (1856)
 * HMS Foam (1856)
 * HMS Wave (1856)
 * HMS Magnet (1856)
 * HMS Manly (1856)
 * HMS Mastiff (1856)
 * HMS Mistletoe (1856)
 * HMS Earnest (1856)
 * HMS Escort (1856)
 * Cheerful-class gunboat
 * HMS Cheerful (1856)
 * HMS Chub (1856)
 * HMS Daisy (1856)
 * HMS Dwarf (1856)
 * HMS Blossom (1856)
 * HMS Gadfly (1856)
 * HMS Gnat (1856)
 * HMS Garland (1856)
 * HMS Fidget (1856)
 * HMS Flirt (1856)
 * HMS Onyx (1856)
 * HMS Pert (1856)
 * HMS Midge (1856)
 * HMS Tiny (1856)
 * HMS Angler (1856)
 * HMS Ant (1856)
 * HMS Nettle (1856)
 * HMS Pet (1856)
 * HMS Decoy (1856)
 * HMS Rambler (1856)
 * Clown-class gunboat
 * HMS Fenella (1856)
 * HMS Garnet (1856)
 * HMS Handy (1856)
 * HMS Hunter (1856)
 * HMS Drake (1856)
 * HMS Janus (1856)
 * HMS Clown (1856)
 * HMS Kestrel (1856)
 * HMS Ready (1856)
 * HMS Thrush (1856)
 * HMS Watchful (1856)
 * HMS Woodcock (1856)
 * Algerine-class gunboat
 * HMS Jaseur (1857)
 * HMS Jasper (1857)
 * HMS Algerine (1857)
 * HMS Lee (1857)
 * HMS Leven (1857)
 * HMS Slaney (1857)
 * Britomart-class gunboat
 * HMS Britomart (1860)
 * HMS Cockatrice (1860)
 * HMS Wizard (1860)
 * HMS Speedy (1860)
 * HMS Doterel (1860)
 * HMS Heron (1860)
 * HMS Pigeon (1860)
 * HMS Linnet (1860)
 * HMS Tyrian (1861)
 * HMS Trinculo (1860)
 * HMS Cherub (1865)
 * HMS Netley (1866)
 * HMS Minstrel (1865)
 * HMS Orwell (1866)
 * HMS Cromer (1867)
 * HMS Bruiser (1867) (or Bruizer)
 * HMS Bramble (cancelled)
 * HMS Crown (cancelled)
 * HMS Protector (cancelled)
 * HMS Danube (cancelled)

Composite screw gunboats
The gunboats designed from 1870 onwards were of composite construction, i.e. they had an iron keel, stem and stern posts, and iron framing, with wooden planking retained over the iron frames.


 * Ariel-class gunboat
 * HMS Coquette (1871)
 * HMS Foam (1871)
 * HMS Decoy (1871)
 * HMS Merlin (1871)
 * HMS Mosquito (1871)
 * HMS Goshawk (1872)
 * HMS Swinger (1872)
 * HMS Ariel (1873)
 * HMS Zephyr (1873)
 * Forester-class gunboat
 * HMS Cygnet (1874)
 * HMS Express (1874)
 * HMS Contest (1874)
 * HMS Sheldrake (1875)
 * HMS Mallard (1875)
 * HMS Moorhen (1875)
 * HMS Foxhound (1877)
 * HMS Forward (1877)
 * HMS Firm (1877)
 * HMS Forester (1877)
 * HMS Firebrand (1877)
 * HMS Firefly (1877)
 * Banterer-class gunboat
 * HMS Redwing (1880)
 * HMS Grappler (1880)
 * HMS Wrangler (1880)
 * HMS Wasp (1880)
 * HMS Banterer (1880)
 * HMS Espoir (1880)
 * HMS Bullfrog (1880)
 * HMS Cockchafer (1881)
 * HMS Starling (1882)
 * HMS Stork (1882)
 * HMS Raven (1882)
 * Albacore class
 * HMS Albacore (1883)
 * HMS Mistletoe (1883)
 * HMS Watchful (1883)
 * Bramble class
 * HMS Rattler (1886)
 * HMS Wasp (1886)
 * HMS Lizard (1886)
 * HMS Bramble (1886)
 * Pygmy-class gunboat


 * Redbreast-class gunboat
 * HMS Magpie (1889)
 * HMS Redbreast (1889)
 * HMS Redpole (1889)
 * HMS Ringdove (1889)
 * HMS Lapwing (1889)
 * HMS Goldfinch (1889)
 * HMS Thrush (1889)
 * HMS Widgeon (1889)
 * HMS Sparrow (1889)

Armoured gunboats
The only ironclads of gunboat size were three largely experimental (and unsuccessful) vessels ordered in 1864. The first two were towed to the Royal Naval Dockyard at the Imperial fortress colony of Bermuda (being considered unsatisfactory to sail under their own power) where they served as harbour vessels and for coastal defence (Vixen ultimately being sunk to block a channel that torpedo boats might have used to attack ships of the North America and West Indies Station at their anchorage on Grassy Bay). Vixen was the first twin-screw vessel built for the Royal Navy, and Waterwitch employed a form of water pump propulsion.


 * HMS Vixen (1865)
 * HMS Viper (1865)
 * HMS Waterwitch (1866)

Iron coastal gunboats

 * Staunch-class gunboat (1867)


 * Plucky-class gunboat (1870)


 * Ant-class gunboat – Gadfly, Pincher, Griper and Tickler are sometimes referred to as the Gadfly class.
 * HMS Blazer (1870)
 * HMS Comet (1870)
 * HMS Bustard (1871)
 * HMS Kite (1871)
 * HMS Scourge (1871)
 * HMS Snake (1871)
 * HMS Mastiff (1871)
 * HMS Bloodhound (1871)
 * HMS Arrow (1871)
 * HMS Bonetta (1871)
 * HMS Badger (1872)
 * HMS Fidget (1872)
 * HMS Bulldog (1872)
 * HMS Pike (1872)
 * HMS Pickle (1872)
 * HMS Snap (1872)
 * HMS Ant (1873)
 * HMS Cuckoo (1873)
 * HMS Hyaena (1873)
 * HMS Weazel (1873)
 * HMS Gadfly (1879)
 * HMS Pincher (1879)
 * HMS Griper (1879)
 * HMS Tickler (1879)
 * Medina-class gunboat (or River class) (1876)
 * HMS Medina (1876)
 * HMS Medway (1876)
 * HMS Sabrina (1876)
 * HMS Spey (1876)
 * HMS Tay (1876)
 * HMS Tees (1876)
 * HMS Dee (1877)
 * HMS Don (1877)
 * HMS Esk (1877)
 * HMS Slaney (1877)
 * HMS Trent (1877)
 * HMS Tweed (1877)

Steel coastal gunboats

 * Bouncer-class gunboat (1881)


 * Handy-class gunboat (1882)


 * Drudge-class gunboat (1882)

Torpedo ram

 * Polyphemus class
 * HMS Polyphemus (1881)
 * Hull 2 (cancelled 10 November 1882 before being named)
 * Adventure (cancelled 12 August 1885)

Torpedo gunboats

 * HMS Rattlesnake (1886)
 * Grasshopper-class torpedo gunboat (1887)
 * HMS Sandfly (1887)
 * HMS Grasshopper (1887)
 * HMS Spider (1887)
 * Sharpshooter-class torpedo gunboat
 * HMS Sharpshooter (1888)
 * HMS Spanker (1889)
 * HMS Speedwell (1889)
 * HMS Seagull (1889)
 * HMS Salamander (1889)
 * HMS Sheldrake (1889)
 * HMS Skipjack (1889)
 * HMS Boomerang (1889)
 * HMS Karakatta (1889)
 * HMS Plassey (1890)
 * HMS Assaye (1890)
 * HMS Gossamer (1890)
 * HMS Gleaner (1890)
 * Alarm-class torpedo gunboat
 * HMS Jason (1892)
 * HMS Circe (1892)
 * HMS Hebe (1892)
 * HMS Onyx (1892)
 * HMS Leda (1892)
 * HMS Alarm (1892)
 * HMS Jaseur (1892)
 * HMS Renard (1892)
 * HMS Niger (1892)
 * HMS Speedy (1893)
 * HMS Antelope (1893)
 * Dryad-class torpedo gunboat
 * HMS Hazard (1894)
 * HMS Halcyon (1894)
 * HMS Harrier (1894)
 * HMS Hussar (1894)
 * HMS Dryad (1893)

Steel gunboats

 * Bramble-class gunboat (1898)

River gunboats
Insect-class gunboat (1915) The Insect-class gunboats were a class of small, but well-armed Royal Navy ships designed for use in shallow rivers or inshore. Several of them took also part in World War II.
 * HMS Aphis (1915): built by Ailsa shipbuilding, scrapped Singapore, 1947
 * HMS Bee (1915): built by Ailsa shipbuilding, flagship of Rear Admiral, Yangtze (RAY), sold in March 1939.
 * HMS Cicala: built by Barclay Curle, sunk by Japanese bombs on 21 December 1941.
 * HMS Cockchafer (1915): built by Barclay Curle, sold for scrap in 1949, the last surviving member of the class.
 * HMS Cricket (1915): built by Barclay Curle, heavily damaged by bombs on 29 June 1941; used as target by Royal Navy and sunk off Cyprus 1944.
 * HMS Glowworm (1916): built by Barclay Curle, scrapped September 1928.
 * HMS Gnat (T60): built by Lobnitz, damaged by U-boat 21 October 1941, declared total loss, and then used as anti-aircraft platform. Scrapped 1946
 * HMS Ladybird (1916): built by Lobnitz, sunk on 12 May 1941 off Tobruk during World War II, then used as an anti-aircraft position
 * HMS Mantis: built by William Doxford & Sons, sold in January 1940 and subsequently scrapped.
 * HMS Moth (1915): built by William Doxford & Sons, scuttled in Hong Kong 1941, captured and repaired by the Japanese and renamed Suma, sunk by mines in Yangtze River on 19 March 1945.
 * HMS Scarab (1915): built by Wood, Skinner & Co, scrapped in 1948.
 * HMS Tarantula built by Wood, Skinner & Co, briefly flagship of the British Pacific Fleet, expended as a target 1946

Wooden paddle gunvessels

 * Pluto-class gunvessel (1831) – steam vessel rated from 1837 as a first-class steam gunvessel


 * Firebrand-class gunvessel (1831) – steam vessels reclassified in 1844 as first-class steam gunvessels


 * Firefly-class gunvessel (1832) – steam vessels reclassified in 1844 as first-class steam gunvessels


 * Tartarus-class gunvessel (1834) – steam vessels reclassified in 1844 as first-class steam gunvessels


 * Lizard-class gunvessel (1840) – steam vessels reclassified in 1844 as second class steam gunvessels


 * Porcupine-class gunvessel (1844) – steam vessel reclassified in 1844 as a first-class steam gunvessel


 * Spitfire-class gunvessel (1845) – steam vessel reclassified in 1844 as a first-class steam gunvessel

Iron paddle gunvessels

 * Jackal-class gunvessel
 * HMS Jackall (1844)
 * HMS Lizard (1844)
 * Torch-class gunvessel (1845)


 * Bloodhound class
 * HMS Bloodhound (1845)
 * Myrmidon class (1845)


 * Grappler class (1845)


 * Recruit-class gunboat (1850)

NB. A third vessel of the class was retained by Prussia.

Wooden screw gunvessels
This section includes two early iron-hulled screw gunvessels ordered in May 1845, which in other respects were half-sisters to two wooden-hulled gunvessels ordered at the same time. The four vessels comprised the first-class gunvessels Rifleman (wooden hulled) and Sharpshooter (iron hulled), and the second-class gunvessels Teazer (wooden hulled) and Minx (iron hulled). Further vessels ordered later to the same design were either cancelled or built to very different concepts. Rifleman and Sharpshooter were re-classed as sloops in 1854.


 * Rifleman class (wooden half-sisters to iron-hulled Sharpshooter)
 * HMS Rifleman (1845)
 * Sepoy (cancelled 1849)
 * Cossack (cancelled 1849)
 * Sharpshooter class (iron half-sister to wooden Rifleman)
 * HMS Sharpshooter (1846)
 * Teazer class (wooden-hulled half-sisters to iron-hulled Minx)
 * HMS Teazer (1846)
 * Boxer (cancelled 1849)
 * Biter (cancelled 1849)
 * Minx class (iron half-sister to wooden Teazer)
 * HMS Minx (1846)
 * Swallow-class sloop – 4 first-class gunvessels were ordered in 1852–1853; while still building, they were re-rated as third-class sloops in 1854 and will be found under the list of corvette and sloop classes of the Royal Navy.
 * Arrow-class gunvessel – originally rated as "despatch vessels", these six ships were re-classed as second-class gunvessels in 1856.
 * HMS Arrow (1854)
 * HMS Beagle (1854)
 * HMS Lynx (1854)
 * HMS Snake (1854)
 * HMS Viper (1854)
 * HMS Wrangler (1854)
 * Vigilant-class gunvessel
 * HMS Coquette (1855)
 * HMS Wanderer (1855)
 * HMS Alacrity (1855)
 * HMS Vigilant (1856)
 * HMS Lapwing (1856)
 * HMS Ringdove (1856)
 * HMS Surprise (1856)
 * HMS Renard (1856)
 * HMS Foxhound (1856)
 * HMS Mohawk (1856)
 * HMS Sparrowhawk (1856)
 * HMS Osprey (1856)
 * HMS Cormorant (1856)
 * HMS Assurance (1856)
 * Intrepid-class gunvessel
 * HMS Flying Fish (1855)
 * HMS Pioneer (1856)
 * HMS Victor (1855)
 * HMS Intrepid (1855)
 * HMS Roebuck (1856)
 * HMS Nimrod (1856)
 * Philomel (or Ranger) class
 * HMS Ranger (1859)
 * HMS Espoir (1860)
 * HMS Landrail (1860)
 * HMS Nimble (1860)
 * HMS Speedwell (1861)
 * HMS Pandora (1861)
 * HMS Lee (1860)
 * HMS Dart (1860)
 * HMS Snipe (1860)
 * HMS Sparrow (1860)
 * HMS Torch (1859)
 * HMS Plover (1860)
 * HMS Penguin (1860)
 * HMS Steady (1860)
 * HMS Cygnet (1860)
 * HMS Griffon (1860)
 * HMS Mullett (1860)
 * HMS Philomel (1860)
 * HMS Newport (1867)
 * Alban (cancelled)
 * HMS Jaseur (1862)
 * Humber (cancelled)
 * Undine (cancelled)
 * Rye (cancelled)
 * Portia (cancelled)
 * Discovery (cancelled)
 * Cormorant (or Eclipse) class (1860)
 * HMS Cormorant (1860)
 * HMS Racehorse (1860)
 * HMS Serpent (1860)
 * HMS Star (1860)
 * HMS Eclipse (1860)
 * HMS Lily (1861)
 * HMS Sylvia (1866)
 * HMS Nassau (1866)
 * HMS Myrmidon (1867)
 * Tartarus (cancelled 1864)
 * Pegasus (cancelled 1863)
 * Albatross (cancelled 1863)
 * Guernsey (cancelled 1863)
 * Plover-class gunvessel (1867)
 * HMS Plover (1867)
 * HMS Ringdove (1867)
 * HMS Philomel (1867)
 * HMS Lapwing (1867)
 * HMS Magpie (1868)
 * HMS Bullfinch (1868)
 * HMS Seagull (1868)
 * HMS Curlew (1868)
 * HMS Swallow (1868)
 * HMS Bittern (1869)
 * HMS Vulture (1869)
 * HMS Woodlark (1871)

Composite screw gunvessels
The gunvessels designed from 1867 onwards were of composite construction, i.e. they had an iron keel, stem and stern posts, and iron framing, with wooden planking retained over the iron frames.


 * Beacon-class gunvessel (1867)
 * HMS Beacon (1867)
 * HMS Avon (1867)
 * HMS Gnat (1867)
 * HMS Cracker (1867)
 * HMS Dwarf (1867)
 * HMS Flirt (1867)
 * HMS Fly (1867)
 * HMS Elk (1868)
 * HMS Boxer (1868)
 * HMS Thistle (1868)
 * HMS Hornet (1868)
 * HMS Rocket (1868)
 * HMS Lynx (1868)
 * HMS Teazer (1868)
 * HMS Midge (1868)
 * HMS Pert (1868)
 * HMS Hart (1868)
 * HMS Growler (1868)
 * Frolic-class gunvessel (1872)
 * HMS Frolic (1872)
 * HMS Kestrel (1872)
 * HMS Ready (1872)
 * HMS Rifleman (1872)
 * Arab-class gunvessel (1874)
 * HMS Arab (1874)
 * HMS Lily (1874)
 * Condor-class gunvessel
 * HMS Flamingo (1876)
 * HMS Griffon (1876)
 * HMS Condor (1876)
 * HMS Falcon (1877)
 * Linnet-class gunvessel (1879)


 * Algerine-class gunvessel
 * HMS Rambler (1880)
 * HMS Ranger (1880)
 * HMS Algerine (1880)
 * Dolphin-class gunvessel (1882)

Like the preceding Arab to Dolphin classes, these were designed by Nathaniel Barnaby; they were re-classed as screw sloops on 26 November 1884.
 * Mariner-class gunvessel

Steel torpedo-and-gunvessels

 * Curlew-class gunvessel (1885)