Osprey class sloop

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Osprey class was a Royal Navy class of screw-driven sloops. They were of composite construction, with wooden hulls over a steel frame. Five ships of the class were built, designed in 1874 by the Navy's Chief Constructor, William White. The design was given an upgrade in 1877 and nine ships were ordered to a modified version, the Doterel class. Originally 1,130 tons displacement with 950 hp, the design was upgraded to 1,040 tons displacement and 1,010 hp. They were capable of approximately 11 knots and were armed with 6 guns.

Contents 1 Ships 1.1 Osprey class 1.2 Doterel class 2 References

[edit] Ships

[edit] Osprey class

• HMS Wild Swan, built by Robert Napier and Sons, Govan, laid down 14 September 1874, launched 28 January 1876, and completed 23 August 1877. Sold for breaking up 4 May 1920.
• HMS Penguin, built by Napier, Goven, laid down 14 July 1874, launched 25 March 1876, and completed 23 August 1877. Sold as a crane hulk 1924, burnt out 13 December 1960.
• HMS Osprey, built by Sheerness Royal Dockyard, laid down 1875, launched 5 August 1876, and completed 19 April 1877. Sold for breaking up 29 April 1890.
• HMS Pelican, built by Devonport Royal Dockyard, laid down 8 March 1875, launched 26 April 1877, and completed 29 November 1877. Sold as a supply ship 22 January 1901.
• HMS Cormorant, built by Chatham Royal Dockyard, laid down 1875, launched 12 September 1877, and completed 2 July 1878. Harbour hulk November 1889, renamed Rooke July 1946. Scrapped at Malaga in 1949.

[edit] Doterel class

• HMS Dragon, built by Devonport Royal Dockyard, laid down 26 April 1877, launched 30 May 1878, and completed 19 February 1879. Sold for breaking up 24 September 1892.
• HMS Pegasus, built by Devonport Royal Dockyard, laid down 9 May 1877, launched 13 June 1878, and completed 5 March 1879. Sold for breaking up 11 August 1892.
• HMS Gannet, built by Sheerness Royal Dockyard, laid down 1877, launched 31 August 1878, and completed 17 April 1879. Training ship 16 May 1903, renamed President, then in 1913 became training ship Mercury. In 1971 was turned over to the Maritime Trust, on display in Chatham Historic Dockyard.
• HMS Phoenix, built by Devonport Royal Dockyard, laid down 8 July 1878, launched 16 September 1879, and completed 20 April 1880. Wrecked off Prince Edward Island, Canada on 12 September 1882.
• (1879)HMS Miranda, built by Devonport Royal Dockyard, laid down 8 July 1878, launched 30 September 1879, and completed 22 July 1880. Sold for breaking up 24 September 1892.
• HMS Kingfisher, built by Sheerness Royal Dockyard, laid down 23 September 1878, launched 16 December 1879, and completed 17 August 1880. Training ship 10 November 1892, renamed Lark, then on 18 May 1893 training ship Cruiser. Sold in 1919.
• HMS Doterel, built by Chatham Royal Dockyard, laid down 13 May 1878, launched 2 March 1880, and completed 7 December 1880. Exploded by accident and sank off Punta Arenas, Chile on 26 April 1881, with loss of 143 men.
• HMS Mutine, built by Devonport Royal Dockyard, laid down 7 June 1879, launched 20 July 1880, and completed 10 May 1881. Became Boom defence vessel 1899, renamed Azov in March 1904. Sold for breaking up 25 August 1921.
• HMS Espiegle, built by Devonport Royal Dockyard, laid down 23 September 1879, launched 3 August 1880, and completed 11 October 1881. Became Boom defence vessel 1899, renamed Argo in March 1904. Sold for breaking up 25 August 1921.

[edit] References

• Royal Navy Sloops
• The Sail and Steam Navy List (David Lyon and Rif Winfield), Chatham Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-86176-032-9.