Nelson & His World

This is a link to material in the National Archives relating to ships used as prisons for the civilian population. The text refers to 'HMS Bellerophon'. I had assumed that prison hulks were de-commissioned ships no longer fit for service. Maybe I'm wrong? If the prison hulks were indeed commissioned ships, were they manned by men of the Royal Navy?


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11307850

I haven't checked, and although I may be wrong, I think prison ships were classified as 'in Ordinary' rather than in commission, but were still under the command of a Navy officer - perhaps sometimes a lieutenant? They could be re-commissioned again at a later date, as I believe was the Temeraire.

Diverting slightly, I have also come across references to a 'church-ship' at Chatham. Does anybody know anything of this?

As far as I know, the convict/prison hulks were not manned by naval personnel unless they were used to house prisoners of war; then they would be commanded by a Lieutenant with a detachment of marines/soldiers.
Technically they were still the property of the Crown,and were usually still carried on the Navy List.

Several ships became used as floating churches in the 19th century -
Venerable was used as a church at Portsmouth Dockyard 1825-38
Thalia became a Catholic church at Portsmouth Dockyard 1855-67
Helena was used as a chapel, initially at Portsmouth, then at Ipswich 1868-80

There were others I think.