Story
This cruiser, armour-plated barbette ship was built in 1883 by H.M. Dockyard (Portsmouth).
Historical Notes
In 01/1897 this vessel was commissioned at Portsmouth UK. This vessel was sister ship to H.M.S. Warspite. After the Jubilee Review of 1887 this vessel went into reserve. This vessel was recommissioned in 1889 for China. This vessel served on the Pacific Station 1896-1899 under Captain Charles Henry Adair RN as flagship to Rear-Admiral Henry St. Leger Bury Palliser RN. The vessel struck Imperieuse Rock while leaving Nanoose Harbour in 09/1896.
In 1896 this vessel carried Admiral Palliser on his sarch for buried treasure on Cocos Island.
In 1899 this vessel was paid off and refitted. This vessel took part in manoeuvres in 1903 and was then placed in reserved. This vessel was renamed for a time as Saphire II in harbour service.
Owners & Masters
In 1883-1913 she was owned by the Royal Navy.
In 1913 she was owned by Ward, Morcambe UK,
Masters
Captain Charles Henry Adair RN (1896-99)
Armament
4-9.2" guns; 6-18" TT
Named Features
Imperieuse Rock (BC)
References
- Walbran, Captain John T. (1909)
- Longstaff, Frederick V. (1957)
- Brock, P.W. & Basil Greenhill (1973)
- J.J. Colledge and Ben Warlow (2010) Ships of the Royal Navy. Casemate Oxford UK
