Role and Purpose

The role for which Gannet was designed to perform was a global one, maintaining British influence world-wide. Key duties of such ships were three-fold:

Protection of Trade and Empire

By 1870 the Royal Navy was established as an imperial peace keeping force with 91 of the 113 ships in full commission stationed overseas: 17 in North American waters; 21 in the China and East India squadrons and 12 in the Pacific.

Anti slavery and Piracy

By the 1870's the Atlantic slave trade had almost been eliminated through the extensive patrolling work of the British West Africa Squadron. However, the suppression of slavery and piracy in other waters remained a core role for the smaller vessels of the Royal Navy and is well demonstrated by HMS Gannet's own service career.

Survey - Charting the Seas

The Victorian era witnessed Britain's involvement in the charting of the seas causing the expression 'by faith in God and an Admiralty chart' to become commonplace amongst seamen of all nations. Although a duty of all ships, the smaller vessels of the Royal Navy were regularly employed on survey work throughout this period.