 circa. 1856 off King Island, Van Diemen's Land | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 |
Eurekan Federal Republic |
| Ordered | December 17, 1854 |
| Builder | Mort's Dock, NSW |
| Cost | $1'200'000 |
| Completed | June 11, 1855 |
| Commission | July 5, 1855–August 2, 1859 |
| Service | 1855–1859 |
| Homeport | Melbourne, Laloursland |
| Motto | Strong as the Spirit of Eureka! |
| Fate | sold to the Confederate States in 1861 |
| Status | Sold |
 Confederate States of America | |
| Name | CSS Pearl |
| Commission | June 23, 1862–May 14, 1866 |
| Fate | destroyed by the Union Navy, 1866 |
| Status | Destroyed & Sunk |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | armoured ironclad galleon |
| Tonnage | 1210 tonnes |
| Length | 165 feet |
| Beam | 11.7 m (38 ft) |
| Height | 52.5 m (172 ft) |
| Propulsion | 1 Horizontal back-acting steam engine 1 boiler |
| Sail plan | Sails, 1,275 square m |
| Boats | 4 life boats |
| Capacity | 3,000 tons of cargo |
| Troops | 100 marines |
| Crew | 165 sailors |
| Armament | 32 cannons
24-20-Pounder Parrott Rifle 4-12-pounder Napoleon 4-swivel guns |
| Armour | Belt: 1–3 in (25–76 mm)
Deck: 1 in (25 mm) Sides: 1–3 in (25–76 mm) |
ERS Black Pearl was the first modified ironclad steam-powered/sail warship built by the Eurekan Reform Navy during the first year of the Australian War of Independence (1854-1859), the first such ship commissioned by the fledgling Republic.
The Black Pearl played a central role in the defence of both Melbourne and Southern Tasmania at the Battle of King Island on 9 July 1855, where, under the command of Captain Jarred L. Carbone, she fought the casemate ironclad galleon HMS Liverpool to a standstill. The unique design of the ship, distinguished by its underbelly steam engine and which was designed by American inventor Maxwell Timothy, was quickly duplicated and established the Pearl class and type of armoured steam-powered warship built for the Eurekan Navy for the rest of the war.