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HMS Hunter (1895)

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HMS Hunter
History
United Kingdom
NameHunter
BuilderFairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan
Laid down7 June 1894
Launched28 December 1895
CompletedMay 1896
FateSold for scrap, 1912
General characteristics
Class and typeHandy-class destroyer
Displacement275 long tons (279 t)
Length197 ft 3 in (60.1 m) (o/a)
Beam19 ft 5 in (5.9 m)
Draught7 ft 6 in (2.3 m)
Installed power
Propulsion2 triple-expansion steam engine
Speed27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
Range1,270 nautical miles (2,350 km; 1,460 mi) at 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)
Armament

HMS Hunter was one of three Handy-class destroyers built for the Royal Navy in the 1890s. Completed in 1896 she spent her career in home waters and was sold for scrap in 1912.

Description

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Ordered as part of the 1893–1894 Naval Programme, the Hardy-class torpedo boat destroyers were Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company's first such ships.[1] They displaced 275 long tons (279 t) at normal load and 310 long tons (310 t) at deep load. The ships had an overall length of 197 feet 3 inches (60.1 m), a beam of 19 feet 5 inches (5.9 m) and a draught of 7 feet 6 inches (2.3 m). They were powered by a pair of triple-expansion steam engines, each driving a single propeller shaft using steam provided by four Thornycroft water-tube boilers. The engines developed at total of 4,000 indicated horsepower (3,000 kW) and were intended to give a maximum speed of 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph).[2] During her sea trials Hunter reached a speed of 27.2 knots (50.4 km/h; 31.3 mph).[3] The Hardy's carried a maximum of 65 long tons (66 t) of coal that gave them a range of 1,270 nautical miles (2,350 km; 1,460 mi) at 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph).[2]

The ships were armed with a single quick-firing (QF) 12-pounder (3 in (76 mm) Mk I gun and five QF 6-pounder (2.2 in (57 mm)) Mk I Hotchkiss guns in single mounts. Their torpedo armament consisted of two rotating torpedo tubes for 18-inch (450 mm) torpedoes, one mount amidships and the other on the stern.[4]

Construction and career

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Hunter was laid down by Fairfield at its Govan shipyard on 7 June 1894, launched on 28 December 1895 and completed in May 1896.[5] In 1896 Hunter was in reserve at Portsmouth.[6] In early December 1901 Wizard, tender to Excellent, the shore establishment near Portsmouth, was damaged in a collision with a tug at Portsmouth. Her crew was transferred to Hunter during repairs.[7]

She took part in the fleet review held at Spithead on 16 August 1902 for the coronation of King Edward VII.[8] The ship was sold for scrap in 1912.[9]

Notes

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  1. ^ Chesneau & Kolesnik, pp. 90–92
  2. ^ a b Friedman, p. 291
  3. ^ March, p. 32
  4. ^ March, p. 31
  5. ^ Friedman, p. 302
  6. ^ "Naval Matters: Past and Prospective: The Reserve of Ships and Men". The Marine Engineer. Vol. 18. July 1896. p. 155.
  7. ^ "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times. No. 36634. London. 10 December 1901. p. 10.
  8. ^ "Naval Review at Spithead". The Times. No. 36847. London. 15 August 1902. p. 5.
  9. ^ Chesneau & Kolesnik, p. 92

Bibliography

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