Emerald class masted cruisers of the Royal Navy launched from 1875-77. Ships in the class were HMS Emerald, HMS Garnet, HMS Opal, HMS Ruby, HMS Tourmaline and HMS Turquoise. HMS Tourmaline was paid off in July/ August 1896 and sold for scrapping in 1920.

Displacement: 2120 tons.    I.H.P: c.2,000    Length: 220 feet.    Beam: 40ft.   Depth: 18 ft.    Speed: c.13 knots.     Complement: 230.

HMS Emerald

HMS Emerald.

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHC783

HMS Emerald - Name History

The sixth “EMERALD” was a 12-gun screw corvette launched at Pembroke in 1876.  She was of 2120 tons, 2170 horse-power, and 14 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 220ft., 40ft., and 19ft.  In 1889 the “Emerald,” commanded by Captain William Henry Maxwell, proceeded to the Solomon Islands to punish the natives for the murder of a boat’s crew belonging to the British schooner “Sandfly.”  The murderers were then not discovered, but their villages were burned.  Some time later Bishop Selwyn persuaded the chief to surrender the ringleaders, who were duly executed.  This vessel ended her career as a powder hulk at Portsmouth, and in 1906 she was sold.

HMS Tourmaline

The Last of the Gems HMS Tourmaline 1896

This shows the last of the Gem cruisers of the 1870's returned from Bermuda flying the pennant of Captain Sir Richard Poore in 1896. The photograph shows the men of the Tourmaline after the order Prepare to Ram being given, in order to avoid injuries from the shock of the collision the men would throw themselves flat down on deck. Tourmaline had 5-in breechloaders and four 6-in breechloader guns as her heaviest armament.

HMS Tourmaline, 1896

The Fife and Drum Band, HMS Tourmaline 1896

HMS Tourmaline at Bermuda, 1896

"Cease Firing".  HMS Tourmaline

HMS Ruby

HMS Ruby pictured pre 1896.

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHC005

Emerald Class cruiser HMS Ruby c.1900 with sails rigged. The Ruby was launched in June 1877 and had a complement of 230 and a speed of 12.3knots.

HMS Garnet

HMS Garnet, 1878.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP3028

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP3028

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