HMS Hermione (1893)

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HMS Hermione, c. 1910
Career (UK) RN Ensign
Name: HMS Hermione
Operator: Royal Navy
Launched: 1893 at Devonport
Renamed: HMS Warspite in 1922
Fate: Broken up 1940
General characteristics
Class and type: Astraea-class cruiser
Displacement: 4,360 tons loaded
Length: 320 ft (98 m)
Beam: 49 ft 6 in (15.1 m)
Draught: 19 ft (5.8 m)
Propulsion: twin-screw, 9,000 hp
Speed: 19 knots (35 km/h)
Armament: 10-guns

HMS Hermione was an Astraea-class protected cruiser launched at Devonport in 1893. She served in World War I and was sold in 1921. She was renamed HMS Warspite in 1922, and broken up in 1940.

In 1896 the Hermione, commanded by Captain Charles R. Arbuthnot, was one of a squadron of six ships which was specially commissioned in reply to a congratulatory telegram from the German Emperor to President Paul Kruger on the repulse of Dr. Jameson's Raid. The squadron, known as the Particular Service Squadron, was commanded by Rear-Admiral Alfred Taylor Dale with his flag in Revenge.

In September 1910 she began preparations for use as a tender for the Royal Navy's first airship, but when this project was abandoned, she rejoined the Home Fleet in January 1912. In the meantime, she had hosted the first British seaplane experiments, with an Avro Type D in November 1911.