A CORVETTE RY ANY OTHER NAME

摘要

This Paper asks the question "What is a corvette?", with the view to shaping future navies. Admiral W H Smyth in his Sailor's Word Book of 1867, helpfully defines 'corvette' as: "Flush-decked ships, equipped with one tier of guns: fine vessels for warm climates, from admitting a free circulation of air." The Oxford English Dictionary agrees, noting the term's use since 1636, adding "now, a small naval escort vessel." The term 'corvette' was quite widely used during the 19th century. It described a ship which roughly fitted between a sloop and a frigate. Royal Navy ships on the Australia Station were commonly corvettes, like the 60 m long screw corvette HMS PEARL, which was Flagship of the Australia Station from 1873 to 1875.