Marathon
Class 2nd Class Cruiser
The Marathon Cruisers
were ordered under the naval programme of 1887, similar to the Mersey
class except smaller, HMS Melpomene, Magicienne and HMS Marathon
were built for foreign (tropical) service and were built with a sheath of
Wood and copper. which added extra weight to the displacement. causes a
slight loss if speed. some bad points for the crew was the lack of accommodation
space and also small boiler rooms giving the stockers cramped working
conditions. they also never achieved their designed speed.
HMS Marathon.
Built at Fairfield at Govan, on the Clyde, laid down on the 10th August
1887 and launched 23rd August 1888 being completed in 1889.
HMS Magiciene.
Built at Fairfield at Govan, on the Clyde, laid down on the 10th August
1887 and launched 12th May 1888 being completed in 1889.
HMS Medea, Built
at Chatham Naval Dockyard, laid down on the 25th April 1887
and launched 9th June 1888 being completed in 1889
HMS Melpomene,
Built at Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, laid down on the 10th
October 1887 and launched 20th September 1888 being completed in 1890
HMS Medusa, Built
at Chatham Naval Dockyard, laid down on the 25th August 1887
and launched 11th August 1888 being completed in 1889
Displacement: 2800
tons, /sheathed cruisers 2950 tons, Speed: 20 knots.
Crew 218 Armament: Six 6-inch guns, Nine 6 pdr
quick firing guns, One 3 pdr, and three machine guns Two Torpedo
Tubes
