NAVYPEDIA

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Alert			Sheerness DYd	8.12.1893	28.12.1894	9.1895	lent to civil authorities 1906, sold as pilot ship 1.1926
Torch, 8.1917- Firebrand (8/1917- RNZN)			Sheerness DYd	8.12.1893	28.12.1894	10.1895	New Zealand Government TS 8.1917, sold for BU 7.1920

Technical data

Displacement normal, t	960
Displacement full, t
Length, m	54.9 pp 62.4 oa
Breadth, m	9.90
Draught, m	3.50
No of shafts	1
Machinery	sails + 1 3-cyl VTE, boilers
Power, h. p.	1400
Max speed, kts	13.2
Fuel, t	coal
Endurance, nm(kts)
Armour, mm	deck: 38 - 25
Armament	6 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk III, 4 x 1 - 47/40 3pdr Hotchkiss Mk I, 2 х 1 - 11.4/94
Complement	105

Standard scale images

Project history

The hulls being of steel frames and steel sheathing were constructed on the same principle as the Beagle. These were the first sloops to receive the modern type of vertical engine, and the first to be fitted with QF guns. Originally they were schooner-rigged but later their yards were removed, although they retained their three masts. In appearance they differed from the Beagle class with their raised forecastle and poop. Guns were mounted two on the forecastle, two in the waist amidships and two on the quarter deck. The MGs were 11.43mm Maxims. Even at this late date they retained features such as scrolls on the trail boards.

Ship protection

Ships had a protective deck of 25mm to 38mm steel extending over the machinery and boilers.

Modernizations

None

Naval service

Alert was lent to Basra civil authorities in 1906, in 1915 she formed part of the naval force in the Shatt-el-Arab. She was sold to Basra Port Authority in January 1926 for use as pilot vessel and finally BU in October 1949. Torch was renamed Firebrand in August 1917 and transferred to New Zealand government for harbour training duties and sold for BU in July 1920.