Eclipse class masted cruisers of the
Royal Navy launched from 1875-77. Ships in the class were HMS Eclipse,
HMS Diana, HMS Dido, HMS Doris, HMS Isis, HMS Juno, HMS Minerva, HMS
Talbot and HMS Venus. ordered under the Spencer naval programme of
1893. These second class cruisers had a larger displacement than
previous 2nd class cruisers and also a heavier calibre of armament.
HMS Diana was built at Fairfields
and laid down on the 13th August 1894, being launched 5th December 1895.
completed for service 15th June 1897. She serve din the Mediterranean
until 1913 and transferred back the the UK to the 3rd Fleet at Devonport.
At the outbreak of war HMS Diana joined the The Cruiser Force G in the
English Channel. and on the 6tyh August captured A German Schooner. In February
1915 she joined the 12th cruiser squadron and was transferred in November
1915 to the China Station until August 1917, moving to the red Sea and
Indian Ocean until the end of the war. In June 1919 she was paid off at
Queenstown and scrapped in 1920
HMS Dido was built at London and
Glasgow and laid down on the 30th August 1894, being launched 20th March
1896. completed for service 10th May 1898. In 1907 HMS Dido joined the
the Channel Fleet then in 1909 joined the Home Fleet at the Nore.
1sr battle squadron in 1909 - 1910 and then went to Chatham for refit.
In September 1911 joined the Home fleet at the Nore again
HMS Doris was built at Barrow by
Naval Construction and Armaments Company and laid down on the 29th
August 1894, being launched 3rd March 1896. completed for service 18th
November 1897.
HMS Juno was built at Barrow by
Naval Construction and Armaments Company and laid down on the 22nd June
1894, being launched 16th November 1895. completed for service 16th June
1897.
Displacement: 5600 tons.
I.H.P: c.8,000 Length: 350 feet. Beam:
53 ft 6 ins. Depth: 20 ft 6 ins. Speed:
c.18.5 knots.
Complement: 450.
|
| HMS Diana |
5th December 1895 |
Sold for scrap in 1920. |
| HMS Dido |
20th March 1896 |
Sold for scrap in 1926. |
| HMS Doris |
3rd March 1896 |
Sold for scrap in 1919. |
| HMS Eclipse |
19th July 1894 |
Sold in 1921. |
| HMS Isis |
27th June 1896 |
Sold for scrap in 1920. |
| HMS Juno |
16th November
1895 |
Sold for scrap in 1920. |
| HMS Minerva |
23rd September
1895 |
Sold in 1920. |
| HMS Venus |
5th September
1895 |
Sold in 1921. |
| HMS Talbot |
25th April 1895 |
Sold for scrap in 1921. |
| HMS
Diana
HMS Diana was built at Fairfields and laid down on
the 13th August 1894, being launched 5th December 1895. completed for service
15th June 1897. She serve din the Mediterranean until 1913 and transferred
back the the UK to the 3rd Fleet at Devonport. At the outbreak of war HMS
Diana joined the The Cruiser Force G in the English Channel. and on the
6tyh August captured A German Schooner. In February 1915 she joined
the 12th cruiser squadron and was transferred in November 1915 to the
China Station until August 1917, moving to the red Sea and Indian Ocean
until the end of the war. In June 1919 she was paid off at Queenstown and
scrapped in 1920
Displacement: 5600 tons.
I.H.P: c.8,000 Length: 350 feet. Beam:
53 ft 6 ins. Depth: 20 ft 6 ins. Speed:
c.18.5 knots.
Complement: 450.
|
HMS Diana.
© Walker
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Not available for reproduction. |
HMS Diana.
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HMS Diana anchored in Malta's Grand Harbour in 1919. |
Commander Halsey's Navy Eight from HMS Diana - winners of the
United Service Challenge Cup in 1902. |
|
HMS
Diana - Name History |
|
The eleventh “DIANA” is an 11-gun twin-screw
cruiser launched at Govan in 1895.
She is of 5600 tons, 9600 horse-power, and 19 knots speed.
Her length, beam, and draught were 350ft., 54ft., and 21ft. |
| HMS
Dido
Displacement: 5600 tons.
I.H.P: c.8,000 Length: 350 feet. Beam:
53 ft 6 ins. Depth: 20 ft 6 ins. Speed:
c.18.5 knots.
Complement: 450.
|
|
HMS Dido
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HMS Dido at speed
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HMS Dido
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HMS Dido, 1907.
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|
Officers of HMS Dido, c.1910.
Surnames; back row from left: Wright, Egerton, Weller,
Birch, Shore, Blake, Bateman, Lyon, De Pass, Boyd, Finnis, Mackay
Front Row from left: Bradbury, Comdr Wrightson, Captn
Sandeman, Eng Comdr Gastes, St Surg Jones.
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|
HMS
Dido - Name History |
|
The fifth “DIDO” is an 11-gun twin-screw
cruiser launched at Glasgow in 1896.
She is of 5600 tons, 9600 horse-power, and 19.5 knots speed.
Her length, beam, and draught were 350ft., 54ft., and 21ft.
At her launch on March 17th an unusual accident
occurred. As the ship was
moving into the water the ground under the ways suddenly sank, and the
ship was thrown out of the cradle, sustaining serious damage.
She lay half in and half out of the water for three days before
she was finally floated. In 1900
the “Dido,” commanded by Captain Philip Francis Tillard, played a
minor part in the third China War or Boxer Riots. |
| HMS
Doris
Displacement: 5600 tons.
I.H.P: c.8,000 Length: 350 feet. Beam:
53 ft 6 ins. Depth: 20 ft 6 ins. Speed:
c.18.5 knots.
Complement: 450.
|
|
HMS Doris.
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A Piper pictured on HMS Doris c.1904.
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HMS Doris
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Memorial
to those lost from HMS Doris during the Boer War, erected at Devonport.
The
text from the central panel reads as follows: This gun, captured
from the Boers during the South African War 1899-1902 has been erected
here by the officers and men of HMS Doris in memory of their shipmates
who lost their lives in that campaign.
The
names on the memorial we can make out are: Francis Coleman, A.B.;
Matthew Wise, A.B.; William Lockett, Storer; W I Phillips; Lewis
Wells. There are 9 other names that are indecipherable. Is
the monument still there? Can you help us with the remaining
names?
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HMS
Doris - Name History |
|
The fourth ”DORIS” is an
11-gun twin-screw cruiser launched at Barrow in 1896.
She is of 5600 tons, 9600 horse-power, and 19.5 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught were 350ft., 54ft., and 21ft.
In 1899 and 1900 the “Doris,” commanded by Captain Reginald C.
Prothero, and flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Harris, played
an important part in the second Boer War. On November 19th
the “Doris” contributed to a Naval Brigade of 350 men, commanded by
Captain Reginald C. Prothero, which proceeded to the front, and three
days later joined General Lord Methuen at Belmont. On November 25th the Naval Brigade fought at the
battle of graspan. The men
paraded at 5a.m. and after the kopje had been shelled the seamen and
marines, led by the flag Captain, advanced on the enemy’s position. The Boers opened a heavy fire at 600 yards and soon
supplemented it with a cross fire.
Nevertheless the brigade advanced steadily by rushes, and in
spite of a loss of 15 killed and 79 wounded gained the summit of the
kopje, driving the Boers thence in full retreat.
So many officers had been killed and wounded, among the latter
Flag Captain Prothero, that the command of the Naval Brigade developed
upon Captain Alfred Edmund Marchant, R. M. L. I., who was once promoted
to the rank of major. Thus,
for the first time for many years, a Naval Brigade, composed of both
Bluejackets and marines, had the honour of being commanded by an officer
of the Royal Marines. A feature of the attack was the bravery of Midshipman
Cymbeline Huddart of the “Doris,” who, though twice hit,
courageously pressed forward until mortally wounded.
Her Majesty the late Queen Victoria was pleased to honour the
Naval Brigade by telegraphing her congratulations on its gallantry, and
Lord Methuen paid it a special visit and complimented it on its splendid
behaviour. On December 14th the Naval guns were in
action bombarding the Boer positions at Modder River, and a Naval
searchlight worked by Midshipman James Menzies of the “Doris” got
into communication with the beleagured town of Kimberley. In February two 4.7-guns proceeded to the front under Commander
William Lowther Grant of the “Doris,” and subsequently took part in
the battle of Paardeberg and the capture of General Cronje.
This party assisted in the capture of Bloemfontein, and suffered
very severely indeed from enteric fever, no fewer than 89 officers and
men being taken ill there. They assisted in the capture of Johannesburg and of Pretoria,
and in the subsequent minor operations, turning the guns over to the
Royal Artillery, and arriving back on board the “Doris” on October 7th,
1900. After the battle of Paardeberg General Piet Cronje, his
wife, grandson, aide-de-camp, and adjutant were held onboard the
flagship “Doris” for about six weeks, previous to their
transportation to the Island of St. Helena.
They lived in the Commander-in-Chief’s suite of cabins.
The dress worn by Mrs. Cronje on arrival was badly stained with
picric acid, from the bursting of lyddite shell over the trenches, in
which she had lain with a noteworthy gallantry. |
| HMS
Eclipse |
|
HMS Eclipse. |
HMS Eclipse.
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HMS Eclipse, 1897.
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HMS Eclipse, 1909.
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|
Crew of HMS Eclipse on the China Station in 1902.
Contributed by Roger Jones. |
|
HMS
Eclipse - Name History |
|
The seventh “ECLIPSE” is an 11-gun twin-screw
cruiser, launched at Portsmouth in 1894. She is of 5600 tons, 9600 horse-power, and 19.5 knots speed.
Her length, beam, and draught were 350ft., 53ft., and 20ft.
This vessel became a sea-going training ship for Naval
cadets. |
| HMS
Juno
Displacement: 5600 tons.
I.H.P: c.8,000 Length: 350 feet. Beam:
53 ft 6 ins. Depth: 20 ft 6 ins. Speed:
c.18.5 knots.
Complement: 450.
|
|
HMS Juno -
Name History |
|
The eighth “JUNO” is an 11-gun twin-screw
cruiser, launched at Barrow in 1895.
She is of 5600 tons, 9600 horse-power, and 19 knots speed.
Her length, beam, and draught were 350ft., 54ft., and 21ft.
In 1901 the “Juno,” commanded by Captain H.O. Routh, was
employed as escort to H.M.S. “Ophir” during the tour of Their Royal
Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (now their
Majesties King George V. and Queen Mary) to the colonies.
In 1912 and 1913 the “Juno” acted as a parent ship of two of
the torpedo-boat destroyer flotillas at Harwich. |
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Captain G H Cherry ad the officers of HMS Juno c.1900. Captain
Cherry was replaced by Captain H P Routh later in this year. |
Crew of HMS Juno. Photograph taken during the First World
War.
Sent in by Michael Hearn, whose grandfather served on the ship. |
| HMS
Minerva
Displacement: 5600 tons.
I.H.P: c.8,000 Length: 350 feet. Beam:
53 ft 6 ins. Depth: 20 ft 6 ins. Speed:
c.18.5 knots.
Complement: 450.
|
HMS Minerva, January 1915.
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HMS Minerva with HMS Rainbow and HMS Hyacinth behind her at the
Royal Review in 1902. |
HMS Minerva pictured c.1908.
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HMS Minerva c.1902
|
Captain F O Pike and the officers of the Minerva.
Some of these officers were transferred from HMS Champion. |
| HMS
Venus
Displacement: 5600 tons.
I.H.P: c.8,000 Length: 350 feet. Beam:
53 ft 6 ins. Depth: 20 ft 6 ins. Speed:
c.18.5 knots.
Complement: 450.
|
HMS Venus pictured c.1908.
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HMS Venus, 1902.
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| HMS
Talbot
Displacement: 5600 tons.
I.H.P: c.8,000 Length: 350 feet. Beam:
53 ft 6 ins. Depth: 20 ft 6 ins. Speed:
c.18.5 knots.
Complement: 450.
|
|
The second-class cruiser Talbot was commissioned for the North
America and West Indies Station on September 15th by Captain Edward H
Gamble who had previously commanded Raleigh, St George and Endymion. The
Talbot was a new type of ship which was only 10 ft shorter than the
first-class cruisers of the Edgar class and she was also one knot
faster. |
HMS Talbot, 1906.
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HMS Talbot, 1897
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HMS Talbot c.1915 |
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Serving Out a Day's Fresh Meat Ration 1896
The photograph shows the butcher of the Talbot
cutting up a day's provision of meat, while the ship's steward weighs a
piece which is being carefully observed by that "cook of the
mess" who is standing by with his tin dish ready to receive it.
Close at hand is the officer of the day (Lieut Paton) who is on the spot
to inspect the quality of the provisions. In harbour - the Talbot was at
Devonport when this photograph was taken in 1896 - one pound of fresh
meat was issued to each man every day. At sea, the meat rations were:
every other day, one pound of salt pork; on one alternate day, one pound
of salt beef; on the other alternate day, three-quarters of a pound of
preserved meat. |
The Company of the Talbot 1896
The company are grouped on the forecastle and the rigging. They
numbered 412 all told, and was usual for ships going abroad for a three
year commission, are mostly young men and therefore better suited to
learn their work quickly and well. |
Captain E H Gamble and Officers of the Talbot 1896
On the Captains right is Lieutenant J B Finlaison, R.M.L.I., who
was in command of the Marine detachment on board, and on the Captain's
left is Commander Lewis Bayly, the executive officer of the ship. |
| |
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MESSAGES
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Eclipse Class Cruiser..
I was hoping that someone might be able to
identify the name of the ship (shown left). The crew are in white uniforms with straw
hats and the aft crows nest has two quick firing guns. I
would be grateful for any comments. Contact Terry
Baldwin at Terry@baldwin3b.freeserve.co.uk |
HMS DIDO Can anyone help me? I am looking for information on HMS
Dido during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 in China. If you can help contact
Eric at chessmaster@ntlworld.com HMS
DIANA CAN ANYONE HELP: Looking for photo's and Information of HMS
Diana. Please contact Charles Kitching at charleskitching@onetel.net.uk HMS
DORIS FREDERICK GEORGE DOVE... Could anyone help me please. I am trying
to research the ships and station that my grandfather served upon during
the period 10th June 1910 - 11th February 1922. He served on the following
ships: Europa (March - April 1912), Doris/Monmouth (1912-1914), Talbot
(Jan 1914), Argyle (1914-1915), Conqueror (1915-1919), Lord Nelson (1919),
Pembroke/Egremont (1919-1920) and Crescent (1920-1922). Any information
regarding these ships will be gratefully accepted. contact Joe
Smitheringale at joseph@smitheringale5224.freeserve.co.uk
HMS ECLIPSE Looking for any info of crew on
Eclipse on the China Station especially stokers, have a photo of stokers
taken aboard, also any info on Capt R H S Stokes, CO of
Eclipse. Contact
here HMS
JUNO PHILLIP CHAPMAN.. Could anyone tell me what
happened to HMS Jumno during WW1 on the 13th August 1915? My uncle
Phillip Chapman was killed on that day aged 21 and I would very much like
to know how, if possible. Contact
here PHILIP CAINE: Petty Officer 2nd Class and leading
Torpedo man on HMS Juno, Killed on 31st May 1904? If you have any
information on HMS Juno at this time please contact Ian Faulds at faulds@mcb.net
HMS TALBOT
PERCY SHARP.. I am in desperate search of a
Percy or Percival Sharp who was with HMS Talbot. I would like to find out
about him as my mother-in-law has always wanted to find out whatever
happened to her Uncle. This is all the information I have. Please contact
me with any information at kelly.parsloe@locsoft.com
HMS VENUS
Looking for any information on HMS Venus,
supposedly commissioned in Chatham
dockyard in 1897. Contact me at Andrewranger1@aol.com
HMS MINERVA JOHN
KERSLAKE.. I am looking for any info on this ship and how often her crew
changed. For example is it possible after 1901, John Kerslake remained
with this ship until WWI? Is this ship currently being restored in
Portsmouth? How do I find out whee crew members were transferred
to? John remained in the navy until after WWI at least. Contact
Here
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