Leander class cruiser (1882)

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The Leander Class were a four ship cruiser programme ordered by the Admiralty in 1880. The class comprised HMS Amphion, HMS Arethusa, HMS Leander and HMS Phaeton.

Originally classed as Dispatch Vessels, they were re-rated as Second Class Cruisers before their commission. They were a development of the earlier, ground breaking Iris Class but incorporated some protection in the form of a short 1.5 inch armoured deck and sported slightly more modern machinery and armament. All were armed with 10 6 inch BLR, 4 3 pounders, 16 MGs and 4 torpedo tubes above the water. The class displaced 4,300 tons with a full load of 1,016 tons of coal. They were 315 feet long overall and their twin shaft engines produced 5,500 IHP which offered a top speed of 16.5 knots.

The ships still carried an anachronistic light barque sailing rig which was gradually reduced in service to a barquentine, then a schooner rig before the useless spars were removed entirely. They proved to be good steamers but lacking in sea worthiness, rolling heavily in bad weather with their amidships awash.

[edit] References

• Cruisers of the Royal and Commonwealth Navies by Douglas Morris. Maritime Books 1987. ISBN 0 907771 35 1.