NAVYPEDIA

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Philomel			Devonport DYd, UK	9.5.1889	28.8.1890	10.11.1891 // 1914	depot ship 3.1921

Technical data

Displacement normal, t	2575
Displacement full, t
Length, m	80.8 pp 84.7 oa
Breadth, m	12.5
Draught, m	4.72
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 3-cyl VTE, 4 double-ended cylindrical boilers
Power, h. p.	natural draught 4500, forced draught 7500
Max speed, kts	natural draught 17.5, forced draught 19
Fuel, t	coal
Endurance, nm(kts)
Armour, mm	steel; deck: 51-25, gunshields: 51, CT: 76
Armament	8 x 1 - 120/40 QF Mk I/II/III/IV, 8 x 1 - 47/40 3pdr Hotchkiss Mk I, 4 x 1 - 11.4/78, 2 - 356 TT (1 bow, 1 aft, aw), 2 - 356 TC
Complement	217

Standard scale images

Project history

Five of this class were provided under the terms of the Imperial Defence Act of 1887 and were paid for by Australia on the understanding that they were to be stationed in Australian waters. They were, however, manned by the Royal Navy and remained under Admiralty control. They were all originally given 'P' names but were allotted new names of Australian origin 2.4.1890. In design they were modified versions of the Medea with the same dimensions and protection but reduced engine power and a main armament of eight 120mm QF instead of six 152mm BL guns. A further four were ordered by the Admiralty under the Naval Defence Act of 1889 but these differed from the Australian group in having the nominal power of the machinery raised from 4000 to 4500ihp for a 0.5kt improvement in speed although forced draught power was retained at 7500ihp in an attempt lo avoid boiler troubles. Their machinery power and speed dropped off after a few years' service although this was of course more marked in the Australian ships.     The main guns were disposed as in the Medea except that two were mounted on each side of the upper deck instead of one. All the 47mm QF guns were mounted on the upper deck with four in the waist and two each at bow and stern firing through embrasured ports. They had a fixed TT at the stem and stern and two TCs abreast the mainmast, all being carried at upper deck level. The Australian ships had fidded topmasts while the remainder had single pole masts. They were originally classified as second class cruisers but were re-rated prior to completion.

Ship protection

Protective deck extended to the full length of the ships, being 25mm on the flat and 51mm on the slope amidships and uniform 25mm at the ends.

Modernizations

None.

Naval service

Philomel was transferred to the New Zealand Government in 1914, became a base ship in March 1921, was sold as hulk in January 1947 and was scuttled off New Zealand 6.8.1949.