NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Daphne 1889

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Swallow			Sheerness DYd	1.1.1885	27.10.1885	7.10.1886	sold 1904
Buzzard			Sheerness DYd	1.5.1886	10.5.1887	14.4.1888	drill ship 1904
Nymphe			Portsmouth DYd	5.7.1887	1.5.1888	3.7.1889	base ship 1906
Daphne			Sheerness DYd	20.6.1887	29.5.1888	2.5.1889	sold 2.1904

Technical data

Displacement normal, t	1140
Displacement full, t
Length, m	59.4 pp
Breadth, m	8.53
Draught, m	3.81
No of shafts	2
Machinery	sails + 2 HTE, boilers
Power, h. p.	Swallow, Daphne: 1570 Buzzard, Nymphe: 2000
Max speed, kts	Swallow, Daphne: 13.5 Buzzard, Nymphe: 14.5
Fuel, t	coal
Endurance, nm(kts)	3000(10)
Armament	Swallow: 8 x 1 - 127/25 BL Mk II, 8 x 1 - 11.4/87 Buzzard, Nymphe: 8 x 1 - 127/25 BL Mk III, 8 x 1 - 11.4/87 Daphne: 8 x 1 - 127/25 BL Mk IV, 8 x 1 - 11.4/87
Complement	138

Graphics

Project history

Designed and constructed during the office of Sir William White, Director of Naval Construction between 1885 and 1902. These were the last composite-hull sloops to be built. They were the first to have two-screw propulsion and TE engines. Since they were not armoured vessels, the Admiralty's policy of placing , machinery below the waterline persisted to the extent of positioning these engines horizontally. To accomodate the engines within a beam of only 8.5m, they were staggered, the port side engine being positioned foremost. Although a length to beam ratio of four to one was the acceptable dimension, in this class this ratio was extended to seven to one. With their superior steaming power the radius of action was 3000nm at 10kts. All vessels were schooner-rigged with square sails on the foremast, and fore and aft sails on the main and mizzen. However, the need for sail-power, as a complement to steam, had by then almost disappeared.

Modernizations

None.

Naval service

Nymphe became base ship in 1906 and renamed Wildfire in December. In August 1914 she bombarded Belgian coast, but in March 1916 became diving tender Gannet. Buzzard reduced to harbour service in 1909 as President.