NAVYPEDIA

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Undaunted 1898

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Orlando		567	Palmer, Jarrow	23.4.1885	3.8.1886	6.1888	sold to BU 7.1905
Australia		397	Napier, Govan	21.4.1885	25.11.1886	11.12.1888	sold to BU 4.1905
Undaunted		568	Palmer, Jarrow	23.4.1885	25.11.1886	7.1889	sold to BU 4.1907
Narcissus		288	Earle, Hull	27.4.1885	15.12.1886	7.1889	sold to BU 9.1906
Galatea		398	Napier, Govan	21.4.1885	10.3.1887	3.1889	sold to BU 4.1905
Immortalité			Chatham DYd	18.1.1886	7.6.1887	7.1889	sold to BU 1.1907
Aurora		212	Pembroke DYd	1.2.1886	28.10.1887	7.1889	sold to BU 10.1907

Technical data

Displacement normal, t	5600
Displacement full, t
Length, m	91.4 pp
Breadth, m	17.1
Draught, m	6.86
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 VTE, 4 cylindrical double-ended boilers
Power, h. p.	natural draught: 5500 forced draught: 8500
Max speed, kts	natural draught: 17 forced draught: 18
Fuel, t	coal 900
Endurance, nm(kts)	8000(10)
Armour, mm	compound; belt: 254, bulkheads (iron): 406, decks: 76 - 51, CT: 305
Armament	Orlando, Australia, Undaunted: 2 x 1 - 234/32 BL Mk V, 10 x 1 - 152/26 BL Mk VI, 6 x 1 - 57/40 Hotchkiss Mk I, 10 x 1 - 47/40 Hotchkiss Mk I, 6 - 450 TT (beam, 2sm 4 aw) Narcissus, Galatea, Immortalité, Aurora: 2 x 1 - 234/32 BL Mk V/VI, 10 x 1 - 152/26 BL Mk VI, 6 x 1 - 57/40 6pdr Hotchkiss Mk I, 10 x 1 - 47/40 3pdr Hotchkiss Mk I, 6 - 450 TT (1 bow sm, 1 aft sm, 4 beam aw)
Complement	484

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

Enlarged versions of the protected cruiser Mersey with side armour substituted for the protective deck amidships, these were smaller, cheaper and more successful than the earlier armoured cruisers but their narrow waterline belt was of little value and the weight could have been utilized to better effect in a full length protective deck. Designed as trade protection cruisers for worldwide service, they had an endurance of 8000nm at 10kts with a full coal capacity of 900t. Five were ordered in 1885 and two, Immortalité and Aurora, in 1886.     The ships were designed with a load displacement of 5040t, a steel hull, 2-cyl IC engines of 7500ihp, 440t nominal coal capacity and 234mm 18t and 152mm 4.5t guns. During construction the design was altered to incorporate 3-cyl TE engines of 8500ihp and 234mm 22t and 152mm 5t guns, and the nominal coal capacity was increased to 750t. These together with several additions to equipment and hull weights raised the designed displacement to 5535t and increased the draught by 5.49m which placed the top of belt at load water line. However, apart from the reduced value of the protection this did not seriously affect the design and they proved reasonably successful in service, being popular ships which were both good sea boats and good steamers. All exceeded their designed power on trials, Galatea being the best at 9205ihp, and made between 18.8kts (Australia) and 19.4kts (Undaunted) on the measured mile, although the trials were run light.     The main armament was fitted in shielded mountings on the upper deck with the 234mm guns on the centreline fore and aft and 5 152mm on each side amidships. Most of the 57mm and 47mm QF guns were mounted in broadside positions on the main deck. The entry into service of many of the class was delayed by the late arrival of their armament and some commissioned for the 1887 Review with dummy wooden guns.     They commissioned for full service between 1888 and 1893.

Ship protection

There was a 254mm thick belt of compound armour 61m by 1.68m, closed at the ends by 406mm wrought iron bulkheads Above the belt the lower deck was constructed of 51mm plating over the full length of the ship with 76mm sloping edges beyond the side armour. Protection was enhanced by extensive subdivision and by the provision of wing coal bunkers both above and below the protective deck.

Modernizations

1895-1897, all: funnels were increased in height; - 10 x 1 - 152/26; + 10 x 1 - 152/27 QF Mk III/VI

Naval service

Beiween 1899 and 1902 all were reduced to subsidiary duties or were placed in reserve.

Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.

1898