HMS Amphion (1883)
![]() Amphionmoored at Coal Harbour, Vancouver, while serving on the Pacific Station in British Columbia, Canada, 1900. | |
History | |
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Name: | HMS Amphion |
Ordered: | 1880 [1] |
Builder: | Pembroke dockyard [2] |
Laid down: | 25 April 1881 [2] |
Launched: | 13 October 1883 [2][3] |
Commissioned: | 5 July 1887 [2][4] |
Decommissioned: | 25 May 1904 [5] |
Fate: | Sold 1906 [2] |
General characteristics | |
Class and type: | Leander-class second-class partially protected cruiser |
Displacement: | 4,300 tons (4,400 tonnes) load.[2][3] |
Tons burthen: | 3,750 tons (B.O.M.).[6] |
Length: | |
Beam: | 46 ft (14 m).[2][3] |
Draught: |
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Propulsion: | Sails and screw. Two shafts. Two cylinder horizontal direct acting compound engines, 12 cylindrical boilers, 5,500 IHP.[2][3] |
Speed: | |
Range: | |
Complement: | (1885): 275 [7][9] |
Armament: |
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Armour: | |
Notes: |
HMS Amphion was a second class cruiser of the Leander class which served with the Royal Navy. She was built at Pembroke Dockyard, being laid down in 1881, launched in 1883 and completed in financial year 1885-86, and then lay in ordinary at Devonport. She was commissioned for the 1887 and 1888 annual manoeuvres. She was recommissioned in December 1888 served in the Pacific until 1890, in the Mediterranean from 1890 to 1895, in ordinary in Devonport from 1895 to 1897 and in the Pacific once more from 1897 to 1904, having a refit in 1900.
Construction
Amphion was built at Pembroke Dockyard, and completed in financial year 1885-86.[10]
The December 1885 Navy List, listed Amphion at Devonport, with her commissioned and warrant officers borne in the Nanking as follows:[11]
Post | Name | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|
Staff Commander | Bertram E.W. Gwyne | 5 September 1883 |
Chief Engineer | Thomas W.H. Ramsay | 29 April 1885 |
Engineer | James J. Frost | 14 August 1885 |
Gunner | George Morrison | 5 September 1883 |
Boatswain | Josiah Boulton | 5 September 1883 |
Carpenter | Thomas Slaney | 20 November 1884 |
Sea-going career
Annual manoeuvres 1887
Amphion was commissioned for the annual manoeuvres on 5 July 1887, and paid off on 31 August 1887.[4]
Annual manoeuvres 1888
Amphion was commissioned for the annual manoeuvres on 4 July 1888, and paid off on 31 August 1888.[12] In the manoeuvres, hostilities broke out at noon on 24 July 1888, and ended at noon on 20 August.[13]
In the manoeuvres, Vice Admiral John K.E. Baird's force represented the British fleet, and England, Scotland and Wales were considered friendly to the British fleet and hostile to the enemy. Opposing Baird was the 'Achill' fleet, led by Rear Admiral George Tryon, and based in Berehaven on the south-west coast of Ireland and Lough Swilly on the north coast. All Irish territory was considered hostile to the British fleet and friendly to the enemy. At the outset Baird's fleet was concentrated on keeping Tryon's fleet shut up in their base ports. They failed. Both Tryon and his second in command broke the blockade on 4 August, and swooping round the extremities of Ireland, made a descent on British commerce and British ports.[13]
Amphion was part of Rear Admiral George Tryon's 'Achill' fleet. "The Amphion left Lough Swilly with the [new battleship] Rodney, and broke the blockade with her on the night of 4th-5th August. During her cruize in the Channel and up the East Coast of Great Britain she claims the destruction of much shipping; and the capture of the coastguard stations at Scarborough and Wick, also, after leaving Lough Swilly the second time, to have visited Bude with a hostile purpose.
As Scarborough had already been attacked by Severn five days earlier, her visit there could not have been of much effect, neither does it seem that nay useful purpose was served on the occasion of her visit to Wick, as she was taken there in order that her captain might telegraph to the Achill Admiral through the enemy's wires, an impossible condition in wartime. In no case, according to her log, does it appear that the Rules as to Capture of shipping were adhered to."[14]
1888-1892
Amphion was commissioned at Devonport by Captain Edward G. Hulton on 11 December 1888.[15][16] The January 1889 Navy List, listed Amphion at Devonport, fitting out for service on the Pacific Station,[16] and listed her commissioned and warrant officers as follows:[16]
Post | Name | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|
Captain | Edward G. Hulton | 11 December 1888 |
Lieutenant | (N) Francis W. Barrett | 4 November 1887 |
(G) George S.J. Warrender | 11 December 1888 | |
William H.du.C. Chads | 11 December 1888 | |
Ivan G. Humphreys | 11 December 1888 | |
Richard H. Story | 11 December 1888 | |
Frank Hammond | 11 December 1888 | |
Staff Paymaster | William S. Watson | 11 December 1888 |
Staff Engineer | Thomas W.H. Ramsay | 29 April 1885 |
Surgeon | James A. Vassey (In lieu of a Staff Surgeon) |
11 December 1888 |
Alfred T. Rimell | 11 December 1888 | |
Engineer | William Whittingham | 13 November 1888 |
Assistant Engineer | Henry J. Turner | 16 March 1888 |
Thomas C. Morris (act) | 31 October 1888 | |
William A.J. Davies | 11 December 1888 | |
Gunner | John McCarthy | 14 September 1886 |
(T) Theodore Bye | 11 December 1888 | |
Boatswain | Edward Davis | 4 August 1886 |
William Burns | 11 December 1888 | |
Michael Brady (act) | 11 December 1888 | |
Carpenter | Thomas Slaney | 20 November 1884 |
Clerk | Henry Horniman | 11 December 1888 |
1892-1895
Amphion was re-commissioned at Malta, by Captain John R.E. Pattisson, on 26 January 1892.[17][18][19] The January 1892 Navy List listed her commissioned and warrant officers as follows:[18]
Post | Name | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|
Captain | John R.E. Pattisson | 18 December 1891 |
Lieutenant | Herbert W. Meredith | 18 December 1891 |
(N) Thomas F.C. Dundas | 18 December 1891 | |
(G) Cuthbert E. Hunter | 18 December 1891 | |
Charles E. Fenwick | 18 December 1891 | |
Allan F. Everett | 18 December 1891 | |
Frederick J. Davis (act) | 29 May 1891 | |
David C. Gregor (act) | 18 December 1891 | |
Staff Surgeon | Gilbert Kirker M.D. | 18 December 1891 |
Paymaster | Innes W. Taylor | 18 December 1891 |
Staff Engineer | James C. Larg | 5 January 1891 |
Surgeon | William J. Colborne | 18 December 1891 |
Engineer | William W. Hardwick | 18 December 1891 |
Assistant Engineer | Oliver R. Paul | 18 December 1891 |
Thomas H. Turner | 18 December 1891 | |
Gunner | William H. Donovan | 22 December 1891 |
Boatswain | John C. Cowdrey | 21 December 1891 |
(T) Daniel R. Phair | 22 December 1891 | |
John Peain | 23 December 1891 | |
William Winds | 23 December 1891 | |
Carpenter | Charles R. Vincent | 21 December 1891 |
Clerk | Richard B. Brooks | 24 December 1891 |
1895-1897
Amphion laid in ordinary at Devonport from 1 March 1895 to 6 January 1897.[20]
1897-1900
Amphion was commissioned at Devonport by Captain Frank Finnis, on 7 January 1897[21][22] She served on the Pacific Station. She paid off at Devonport on 13 February 1900,[23][24] Captain Finnis was appointed to HMS Illustrious.[25]
The January 1898 Navy List listed her commissioned and warrant officers as follows:[22]
Post | Name | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|
Captain | Frank Finnis | 7 January 1897 |
Lieutenant | Hon Stanhope Hawke | 7 January 1897 |
(G*) Francis M. Leake | 7 January 1897 | |
(N) Alexander K. Jones | 18 December 1896 | |
Langton W. Browell | 7 January 1897 | |
William Hamilton | 7 January 1897 | |
Barnard R.S. Winter | 7 January 1897 | |
Quentin C.A. Craufurd (In lieu of a Sub-Lieutenant) |
7 January 1897 | |
Lieutenant Marine | Henry M. Howard | 29 April 1897 |
Chaplain | Rev, Thomas Roberts M.A. | 7 January 1897 |
Paymaster | Henry W. Braddon | 7 January 1897 |
Fleet Engineer | William H.C. Gale | 3 July 1897 |
Surgeon | Frederick W. Stericker B.A. M.B. | 7 January 1897 |
Assistant Paymaster | Charles E. Lynes | 7 January 1897 |
Engineer | Harry G. Andrews | 7 January 1897 |
Assistant Engineer | William J. Ford (tempy) | 7 January 1897 |
Gunner | (T) John Edwards | 7 January 1897 |
Boatswain | William Sweeney | 7 January 1897 |
Carpenter | Albert A.B. Tozer | 7 January 1897 |
Clerk | Arthur C. Roe | 15 April 1897 |
1900 refit
Amphion was refitted at Devonport immediately after she paid off. On 25 February 1900 it was reported that: "The refit of the Amphion at Devonport is to be completed at the earliest possible date. Although the cruiser only paid off last week she has been dismantled and the work is well advanced. She only recently returned from the Pacific station, and it is understood she is to be sent back to that station to relieve the Phaëton or the Leander, which will complete their three years/ commission in June. The Amphion's engines and boilers are in capital condition, although she has served over nine years on foreign stations, and it is believed that her refit can be carried out for £3,000 less than the sum provided for it."[25]
1900-1904
Amphion was commissioned at Devonport by Captain John Casement, on 20 September 1900.[26][27] She served on the Pacific Station. This commission was the subject of a book in the 'Log' series, entitled: HMS Amphion, Pacific Station, 1901-1904. In January 1902, it was reported that Amphion had struck on a reef while on her way from Panama to Callao, was seriously damaged, and had to proceed to Valparaíso for repairs.[28] In early August that year she was back at the station headquarters at Esquimalt.[29]
The March 1901 Navy List listed her commissioned and warrant officers as follows:[27]
Post | Name | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|
Captain | John Casement | 20 September 1900 |
Lieutenant | Montague L. Hulton | 21 January 1901 |
(G) Walter H.C. Caltrop | 20 September 1900 | |
Basil E.M. Waters | 20 September 1900 | |
(N) James D.D. Stewart | 20 September 1900 | |
Lieutenant R.N.R. | Arthur Greenstock (act) | 20 September 1900 |
Lieutenant R.M. | Charles L Hall | 20 September 1900 |
Chaplain | Rev. John B. Bourne M.A. | 20 September 1900 |
Staff Surgeon | John W. Slaughter B.A. M.B. | 20 September 1900 |
Paymaster | James Murray | 20 September 1900 |
Chief Engineer | John B. Butcher | 20 September 1900 |
Sub-Lieutenant | Aubrey E.D. Moore | 20 September 1900 |
Assistant Paymaster | Joseph T. Gedge | 20 September 1900 |
Assistant Engineer | Walter W. Newton (tempy) | 20 September 1900 |
Edwin Cole | 20 September 1900 | |
Gunner | (T) John Chisholm | 20 September 1900 |
Boatswain | James J. Webber | 20 September 1900 |
Robert W. Brown (act) | 20 September 1900 | |
Carpenter | Henry J. Soper | 20 September 1900 |
Disposal
Amphion was sold in 1906.[2]
Footnotes
- ↑ Lyon & Winfield The Sail and Steam Navy List, All the Ships of the Royal Navy 1815-1889 pages 270-271
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905, page 75.
- 1 2 The Amphion's first logbook covers 5 July 1887 to 31 August 1887, and is UK National Archives catalogue reference ADM 53/12451
- ↑ The Amphion's final logbook covers 1 August 1903 to 25 May 1904, and is UK National Archives catalogue reference ADM 53/17022
- 1 2 3 4 5 Log of HMS Leander 29 May 1885 – 22 May 1886, UK National Archives file ADM 53/14282
- 1 2 3 Jane, All the World's Fighting Ships, 1900, page 102.
- ↑ Conway's lists her complement as 278, which appears to be an error. See Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905, page 75.
- ↑ Navy Estimates for the Year 1889-90, page 281.
- ↑ The Amphion's second logbook covers 4 July 1888 to 31 August 1888, and is UK National Archives catalogue reference ADM 53/12452
- 1 2 New York Times, 2 July 1893, Tryon's brilliant tactics; dazing his opponents in the manoeuvres of 1888
- ↑ The Naval Annual, 1888-89 – extracts from the report of the committee on the naval manoeuvres, 1888, pages 422.
- ↑ The UK National Archives has logbooks for Amphion covering 11 December 1888 to 25 January 1892, catalogue reference ADM 53/12453-12454.
- ↑ The UK National Archives has logbooks for the Amphion covering 26 January 1892 to 28 February 1895, catalogue reference ADM 53/12455-12457.
- ↑ The UK National Archives does not have logbooks for Amphion for the period 1 March to 6 January 1897 listed in its catalogue.
- ↑ The UK National Archives has logbooks for Amphion covering 7 January 1897 to 13 February 1900, catalogue reference ADM 53/12458-12461.
- ↑ The UK National Archives has a logbook for Amphion covering 7 January 1900 to 13 February 1900, catalogue reference ADM 53/12461. The next logbook is ADM 53/12462, which covers from 20 September 1900 to 20 September 1901.
- ↑ "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times (36065). London. 14 February 1900. p. 11.
- 1 2 www.pbenyon.plus.com Naval Database Amphion, 1883.
- ↑ The UK National Archives has logbooks for Amphion covering 20 September to 25 May 1904, catalogue reference ADM 53/12462-12463 and 17021-17022.
- ↑ "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times (36665). London. 15 January 1902. p. 11.
- ↑ "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times (36845). London. 13 August 1902. p. 8.
References
- The Naval Annual, various issues.
- Brown, David K. Warrior to Dreadnought, Warship Development 1860–1905, published Chatham Publishing, 1997. ISBN 1-86176-022-1
- Blueprints
- Chesneau, Roger, and Eugene M. Kolesnik, eds. All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905, published Conway Maritime Press, 1979. ISBN 0-8317-0302-4
- Jane, Fred T All the World's Fighting Ships, 1900
- Lyon, David and Winfield, Rif The Sail and Steam Navy List, All the Ships of the Royal Navy 1815-1889, published Chatham, 2004, ISBN 1-86176-032-9
Amphion Logbooks in the UK National Archives
Catalogue Number | Start | End |
---|---|---|
ADM 53/12451 | 5 July 1887 | 31 August 1887 |
ADM 53/12452 | 4 July 1888 | 31 August 1888 |
ADM 53/12453 | 11 December 1888 | 30 June 1890 |
ADM 53/12454 | 1 July 1890 | 25 January 1892 |
ADM 53/12455 | 26 January 1892 | 4 June 1893 |
ADM 53/12456 | 5 June 1893 | 9 July 1894 |
ADM 53/12457 | 10 July 1894 | 28 February 1895 |
ADM 53/12458 | 7 January 1897 | 6 January 1898 |
ADM 53/12459 | 7 January 1898 | 6 January 1899 |
ADM 53/12460 | 7 January 1899 | 6 January 1900 |
ADM 53/12461 | 7 January 1900 | 13 February 1900 |
ADM 53/12462 | 20 September 1900 | 20 September 1901 |
ADM 53/12463 | 21 September 1901 | 20 September 1902 |
ADM 53/17021 | 21 September 1902 | 31 July 1903 |
ADM 53/17022 | 1 August 1903 | 25 May 1904 |
External links
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