Koenig von Preussen (14)

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Origin and History

By a Cabinet Order dated July 16 1757, Frederick II ordered the creation of a small flotilla in Stettin to protect the Pomeranian Coast against the Swedish Navy. The flotilla was made of rented transport and fish boats.

By the end of 1758, the Prussian flotilla was ready.

During the Seven Years' War, the galliot was under the command of:

• since end of 1758: Captain Schwarz (also commander-in-chief of the flotilla)

The galliot was sank or captured on September 10 1759.

Service during the War

On September 10 1759, the galliot took part in the Combat of Neuwarp where it was deployed in the centre of the first line. The galliot was lost (sank or captured) in this combat.

Characteristics

Galliots were small two-masted coastal vessels with gaff rigged sails and square sails at the main-mast and a gaff rigged sail at the mizzen-mast. They often had three jibs between the main-mast and the bowsprit. Since they usually served to transport wood, they had a wide and sturdy hull. For their military role, they were equipped with oars to increase their mobility.

Technical specifications

Guns	14 8 x 12-pdr guns 2 x 6-pdr guns 4 x 3-pdr guns
Crew	60 2 captains 10 helmsmen 48 sailors 23 soldiers (from Garrison Regiment No. I Puttkammer) 1 captain 1 lieutenant 1 NCO 1 gunner (from the Pomeranian Garrison Artillery Company) 1 drummer 1 surgeon 17 grenadiers (in fact musketeers designated as grenadiers because of their special role as marines)
Length	between 13 and 22 m.
Width	between 3.5 and 5.5 m.
Depth	between 2.5 and 3 m.
Displacement	no information found

References

Cremer, Peter: Die preussischen Landregimenter & -milizen, die Stettiner Haff-Flotille und das Verpflegungswesen der Armee 1756-1753, KLIO-Arbeitgruppe, Heimbach, 1987

N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.