HMS Urgent (1855)

HMS Urgent was a wooden screw despatch vessel of the Royal Navy, launched in 1855. Constructed at Pembroke Dockyard, she was designed by the Surveyor of the Navy and built during the Crimean War. Her primary function was to rapidly transport personnel, documents, and small quantities of supplies between naval bases and fleets in active service.

Urgent saw service in various locations including the Mediterranean and North America. As a despatch vessel, her speed and maneuverability were crucial for effective communication within the vast British naval empire. Her career spanned several decades, reflecting the changing technologies and strategic needs of the Royal Navy.

Details regarding her specific deployments and engagements are scattered throughout naval records and historical archives. Like other ships of her type, her operational details focused on delivering time-sensitive instructions and facilitating logistical support rather than direct combat.

By the late 19th century, Urgent, like many wooden-hulled vessels, was rendered obsolete by the rise of iron and steel warships. She was eventually sold out of service, marking the end of her Royal Navy career.