Mersey 2nd Class Cruisers.  These Mersey Class ships established the pattern for future British second class cruisers and followed closely from the Leander class, but incorporated for the first time a full length protective deck.  They were the first vessels to abandon any form of sailing rig.  HMS Thames and HMS Forth were converted to depot ships in 1903/4, and HMS Thames was sold in 1920 to become the Training Ship General Botha, reverting to HMS Thames in 1942, employed as an accommodation ship.

Displacement : 4050 tons.  Length : 315 ft.  Beam : 46 ft.  Depth : 19 ft 6 ins.  I.H.P. : 4500.  Speed : 17knts.  Armament 2 - 8in BLR, 10 6 in BLR, 3 - 6 pdr QF, 3 - 3pdr QF, 0 MGs, 2 TT sub, 2 TC.  Complement : 300.

HMS Mersey, 1887.

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  XMP997

HMS Severn, June 1890.

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  XMP998

 Royal navy Submarine depot Ship HMS Thames pictured in 1908  

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHX025

HMS Thames as submarine depot ship.

HMS Forth pictured pre 1896

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HMS SEVERN

WILLIAM THOMAS PLAYLE...  I am interested in any historic information available on H.M.S. Severn. My grandfather,William Thomas Playle (1877-1926) was serving in the Royal Navy on this ship when he married my grandmother in 1902 in Harwich, Essex. The ship is given as his address on their marriage certificate.      contact here