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HMS Arethusa (1882)
Encyclopedia
HMS Arethusa was a second class cruiser of the Leander Class
which served with the Royal Navy
. She was built at Napier, Glasgow, being laid down in 1880, launched in 1882 and completed in Financial Year 1886-87. She remained in ordinary reserve at Chatham, being commissioned for the 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, and 1892 annual manoeuvres. She served in the Mediterranean
from 1893 to 1896, was commissioned for the 1899 annual manoeuvres, then recommissioned for the Pacific, and later sent as a reinforcement to the China Station during the Boxer Rebellion until she came home for the last time in 1903.
The December 1885 Navy List listed her as at Chatham, with her commissioned and warrant officers borne in the Pembroke as follows:
fleet. In the manoeuvres, hostilities broke out at noon on 24 July 1888, and ended at noon on 20 August. Baird's force represented the British fleet, and England, Scotland and Wales were considered friendly to the British fleet and hostile to the enemy. Opposing Baird was the 'Achil' fleet, led by Rear Admiral George Tryon
, and based in Berehaven
on the south-west coast of Ireland and Lough Swilly
on the north coast. All Irish territory was considered hostile to the British fleet and friendly to the enemy. At the outset Baird's fleet was concentrated on keeping Tryon's fleet shut up in their base ports. They failed. Both Tryon and his second in command broke the blockade on 4 August, and swooping round the extremities of Ireland, made a descent on British commerce and British ports. In the manoeuvres, the Arethusa was assessed as lost on 5 August.
The committee appointed to inquire into all circumstances connected with the 1888 British naval manoeuvres reported as follows:
The First Naval Lord, Admiral Sir Arthur Hood
commented on this as follows:
. She paid off at Chatham on 22 July 1896. The January 1895 Navy List listed her commissioned and warrant officers as follows:
. The Arethusa remained on the China Station until she was relieved by the Thetis
, then she returned to England and paid off for the last time on 3 April 1903. This commission was the subject of a book in the 'Log' series
, entitled: HMS Arethusa, went Round the World, 1899-1903.
The British fleet on the China Station in March 1901 was commanded by Vice-Admiral Sir Edward H. Seymour, G.C.B.
in the Centurion, with Rear-Admiral Sir James A.T. Bruce, K.C.M.G. second in command, and consisted of:
** Ordered home.
‡ Temporarily attached to China Station.
The March 1901 Navy List listed her commissioned and warrant officers as follows (she was temporarily attached to the China Station at the time):
Leander class cruiser (1882)
The Leander Class were a four ship cruiser programme ordered by the Admiralty in 1880. The class comprised HMS Leander, HMS Phaëton, HMS Amphion and HMS Arethusa.-Genesis:...
which served with the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. She was built at Napier, Glasgow, being laid down in 1880, launched in 1882 and completed in Financial Year 1886-87. She remained in ordinary reserve at Chatham, being commissioned for the 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, and 1892 annual manoeuvres. She served in the Mediterranean
Mediterranean Fleet
Several countries have or have had a Mediterranean Fleet in their navy. See:* Mediterranean Fleet * French Mediterranean Fleet* Mediterranean Squadron * United States Sixth Fleet...
from 1893 to 1896, was commissioned for the 1899 annual manoeuvres, then recommissioned for the Pacific, and later sent as a reinforcement to the China Station during the Boxer Rebellion until she came home for the last time in 1903.
Construction
The Arethusa was built at Napier, Glasgow, and completed in Financial Year 1886-87.The December 1885 Navy List listed her as at Chatham, with her commissioned and warrant officers borne in the Pembroke as follows:
| Post | Name | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Commander | Francis Rowlatt | 24 October 1883 |
| Chief Engineer | George A. Haddy | 16 December 1886 |
| Engineer | Stephen Hockey | 12 January 1885 |
| Gunner | William Avent | 3 December 1883 |
| Boatswain | John Hawkes | 24 October 1883 |
| Carpenter | William T. Searle | 20 April 1886 |
1887 annual manoeuvres
The Arethusa was commissioned for the 1887 annual manoeuvres on 8 July 1887, and paid off on 1 September 1887.1888 annual manoeuvres
The Arethusa was commissioned for the 1888 annual manoeuvres on 4 July 1888, and paid off on 31 August 1888. The Arethusa was part of Vice Admiral John K.E. Baird'sJohn Kennedy Erskine Baird
Admiral Sir John Kennedy Erskine Baird KCB was an officer in the Royal Navy, who is chiefly remembered for commanding the losing side in the 1888 annual naval manoeuvres.-Early life:...
fleet. In the manoeuvres, hostilities broke out at noon on 24 July 1888, and ended at noon on 20 August. Baird's force represented the British fleet, and England, Scotland and Wales were considered friendly to the British fleet and hostile to the enemy. Opposing Baird was the 'Achil' fleet, led by Rear Admiral George Tryon
George Tryon
Vice-Admiral Sir George Tryon, KCB was a British admiral who died when his flagship HMS Victoria collided with HMS Camperdown during manoeuvres off Tripoli, Lebanon.-Early life:...
, and based in Berehaven
Castletownbere
Castletownbere is a small town in County Cork in Ireland. It is located on the southwest coast of Ireland, in West Cork, on Berehaven harbour near the entrance to Bantry Bay. It is also known as Castletown Berehaven. The name of the town comes from the no longer extant MacCarty Castle, and not...
on the south-west coast of Ireland and Lough Swilly
Lough Swilly
Lough Swilly in Ireland is a glacial fjord or sea inlet lying between the western side of the Inishowen Peninsula and the Fanad Peninsula, in County Donegal. Along with Carlingford Lough and Killary Harbour it is one of three known glacial fjords in Ireland....
on the north coast. All Irish territory was considered hostile to the British fleet and friendly to the enemy. At the outset Baird's fleet was concentrated on keeping Tryon's fleet shut up in their base ports. They failed. Both Tryon and his second in command broke the blockade on 4 August, and swooping round the extremities of Ireland, made a descent on British commerce and British ports. In the manoeuvres, the Arethusa was assessed as lost on 5 August.
The committee appointed to inquire into all circumstances connected with the 1888 British naval manoeuvres reported as follows:
- In the 1888 manoeuvres, "the proportion of untrained (2nd Class) stokers which were draughted to several of the ships appears to have been too large." The opinion of the captain of the Arethusa was that the "engine room complement [was] insufficient by 2 engine room artificers, 2 leading stokers, and 23 stokers."
- "...the Committee think it right to call special attention to certain remarks contained in the report of the captain who lately commanded this ship.
- He considers the Arethusa a good sea-boat, and that she steams well against a moderate head sea and strong wind, but that she rolls heavily when the sea is abeam or abaft; she is therefore unsteady as a gun-platform under these conditions, and, on account of her quick and heavy rolling, 'accurate shooting would be an impossibility, and machine guns in the tops would be useless.'
- Among the many suggestions made for improving her efficiency, the following refer especially to the reduction of top weight:-
- Removal of square rig on foremast.
- Removal of fighting tops.
- The captain does not himself suggest that the armament should be lightened; but Admiral Baird's opinion, that all cruisers appear to be too heavily armed, applies to this vessel as well as to the Mersey class, and in this opinion the Committee concur.
- Three other suggestions from the same officer are noted as specially worthy of consideration, viz.:-
- To enlarge the rudder.
- To extend the upper bridge out to the ship's side in order to obtain a view right aft.
- To fit a search light on the poop, as a torpedo-boat coming up astern cannot be kept in the beam of the ones on the fore-bridge."
The First Naval Lord, Admiral Sir Arthur Hood
Arthur Hood, 1st Baron Hood of Avalon
Admiral Arthur William Acland Hood, 1st Baron Hood of Avalon GCB , was an officer of the Royal Navy who held command during the Crimean War and later served as First Naval Lord.- Early life :...
commented on this as follows:
- "The proposal to remove the square rig on the foremast, and the fighting tops, in order to reduce top weight I do not concur in; the square rig on the foremast is a decided advantage to vessels of this class, and would enable them to save coal when cruising on a foreign station; the value of the guns mounted in the fighting tops would be considerable when engaged with cruisers, and therefore I would retain them."'
1889 annual manoeuvres
The Arethusa was commissioned for the 1889 annual manoeuvres on 18 July 1889, and paid off on 14 September 1889.1890 annual manoeuvres
The Arethusa was commissioned for the 1890 annual manoeuvres on 22 July 1890, and paid off on 11 September 1890.1892 annual manoeuvres
The Arethusa was commissioned for the 1892 annual manoeuvres on 21 July 1892, and paid off on 8 September 1892.1893-1896
The Arethusa was commissioned at Chatham, 16 May 1893, and the served in the MediterraneanMediterranean Fleet
Several countries have or have had a Mediterranean Fleet in their navy. See:* Mediterranean Fleet * French Mediterranean Fleet* Mediterranean Squadron * United States Sixth Fleet...
. She paid off at Chatham on 22 July 1896. The January 1895 Navy List listed her commissioned and warrant officers as follows:
| Post | Name | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | Gerald C Langley | 16 May 1893 |
| Lieutenant | Henry F. Alplin | 16 May 1893 |
| (G) Philip G. Tillard | 9 May 1894 | |
| (N) John D. Daintree | 18 January 1894 | |
| Francis G. St. John | 16 May 1893 | |
| Francis W. Caulfield | 16 May 1893 | |
| Lieutenant R.N.R. | Charles Bissett (lent to Achilles HMS Achilles (1863) The broadside ironclad HMS Achilles was the third member of the 1861 programme, was described as an armoured frigate, and was originally projected as a modified version of the earlier .... ) |
27 October 1894 |
| Lieutenant Marine | William M Johnston-Stewart | 18 May 1894 |
| Chaplain | Wilfred W. Nicholson B.A. | November 1894 |
| Staff Surgeon | Thomas M. Sibbald | 16 May 1893 |
| Staff Engineer | George T. Simmons | 16 May 1893 |
| Paymaster | William G.E. Penfold | 16 May 1893 |
| Engineer | Thomas H. Pounds | 16 May 1893 |
| Assistant Engineer | Alfred Saunders | 16 May 1893 |
| Gunner | Thomas J. Browning | 16 May 1893 |
| (T) Alfred J. Beams | 16 May 1893 | |
| Boatswain | Walter E. Bracey | 11 September 1893 |
| William T. Nicholls | 16 May 1893 | |
| George Kingston (in lieu of a Sub-Lieutenant) |
16 May 1893 | |
| Carpenter | John D. Holmes | 26 April 1894 |
1899 annual manoeuvres
The Arethusa was commissioned at Chatham on 11 July 1899 for the annual manoeuvres, and paid off on 13 August. The August 1899 Navy List listed her commissioned and warrant officers for the annual manoeuvres as follows:| Post | Name |
|---|---|
| Captain | Hon. Alexander E Bethell Alexander Bethell Admiral The Hon. Sir Alexander Edward Bethell GCMG KCB was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth.-Naval career:... |
| Lieutenant | George W. Cornish |
| (N) Francis A.L. Andrews (lent) | |
| (G) James T. Bush (lent) | |
| Albert T. Addison (lent) | |
| Andrew E.M. Hook | |
| Lieutenant R.N.R. | Herbert G.H. Lewellin |
| Lieutenant R.M. | Arthur G.C. Milner |
| Chief Engineer | James Barber (b) (lent) |
| Sub-lieutenant | Raymond Fitzmaurice (act) (lent) |
| Henry C. Bridges (act) (lent) | |
| Surgeon | Edward H. McSherry M.D. (lent) |
| Assistant Paymaster | William J.P. Pettit |
| Assistant Engineer | George J. Sisley (tempy) (lent) |
| Harry C. Reed (proby) (lent) | |
| Gunner | (T) William Barlow (lent) |
| Boatswain | Freke Payne (lent) |
| Frederick C. Monk (act) (lent) | |
| Carpenter | Frederick Lawrence (lent) |
1899-1903
The Arethusa was commissioned at Chatham on 14 November 1901 by Captain James Startin. Initially she served on the Pacific Station, but then was sent out as a reinforcement to the China Station for the protection of the lives and property of British subjects during the Boxer RebellionBoxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
. The Arethusa remained on the China Station until she was relieved by the Thetis
HMS Thetis (1890)
HMS Thetis was an Apollo-class 2nd class protected cruiser of the Royal Navy, launched on 13 December 1890. Her first significant mission was service in the Bering Sea Patrol with American warships in a combined effort to suppress poaching in the Bering Sea. The latter half of her career was spent...
, then she returned to England and paid off for the last time on 3 April 1903. This commission was the subject of a book in the 'Log' series
Log series (Westminster Press)
The log' series of books were a series of at least 40 books written by members of the crew of various Royal Navy ships about their service between 1900 and 1909. They were published by Westminster Press and 4 shillings each...
, entitled: HMS Arethusa, went Round the World, 1899-1903.
The British fleet on the China Station in March 1901 was commanded by Vice-Admiral Sir Edward H. Seymour, G.C.B.
Edward Hobart Seymour
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Edward Hobart Seymour, GCB, OM, GCVO , was a Royal Navy officer who became Commander-in-Chief, China Station.- Early life :...
in the Centurion, with Rear-Admiral Sir James A.T. Bruce, K.C.M.G. second in command, and consisted of:
- Battleships: BarfleurHMS Barfleur (1892)HMS Barfleur was a predreadnought second-class battleship of the Royal Navy. She was part of the three-ship Centurion class, designed for long-range patrolling of the United Kingdom's far-flung empire. She mainly saw service in the Mediterranean and Home Fleet, along with Service at China Station,...
, CenturionHMS Centurion (1892)HMS Centurion was a predreadnought second-class battleship of the Royal Navy. She was part of the three-ship Centurion class, designed for long-range patrolling of the United Kingdom's far-flung empire.-Technical characteristics:...
, GloryHMS Glory (1899)HMS Glory was a Royal Navy battleship of the Canopus class.-Technical Characteristics:HMS Glory and her five sister ships were designed for service in the Far East, where the new rising power Japan was beginning to build a powerful and dangerous navy, and to able to transit the Suez Canal...
, GoliathHMS Goliath (1898)HMS Goliath was one of the six Canopus-class pre-dreadnought battleships built by the Royal Navy in the late 19th century. In the First World War Goliath took part in the blockade of the German light cruiser in the Rufiji River but unsuccessful to bombard the cruiser in the delta.On 13 May 1915...
, OceanHMS Ocean (1898)The fourth HMS Ocean was a Canopus-class battleship of the British Royal Navy.-Technical Description:HMS Ocean was laid down at Devonport Dockyard on 15 December 1897, launched on 5 July 1898, and completed in February 1900...
. - 1st Class cruisers: ArgonautHMS Argonaut (1898)HMS Argonaut was a ship of the Diadem-class of protected cruiser in the Royal Navy. She was built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan and launched on 24 January 1898....
, AuroraHMS Aurora (1887)HMS Aurora was a ship of the Orlando-class of first-class cruisers built in the yards at Pembroke Dock and launched on 28 October 1887. She was sold for scrapping on 2 October 1907 to Payton of Milford Haven....
, BlenheimHMS Blenheim (1890)HMS Blenheim was a Blake class first class protected cruiser that served in the Royal Navy from 1890–1926.Launched 5 July 1890, she displaced 9,150 tons and her steel hull measured 375 feet and 65 feet with turning 2 propellers giving a top speed of...
, EndymionHMS Endymion (1891)HMS Endymion was a first class cruiser of the Edgar class. She was launched on 22 July 1891. She took part in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion in China, during which time future rear admiral and VC recipient Eric Gascoigne Robinson served aboard her...
, OrlandoHMS Orlando (1886)HMS Orlando was the lead ship of the Orlando-class of first-class cruisers built in the yards of Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow and launched on 3 August 1886....
, TerribleHMS Terrible (1895)HMS Terrible was a ship of the Powerful-class of protected cruiser in the Royal Navy.-Terrible 1898 Trials:* 60 hours at 1/5 power 5084 ihp = * 68 hours at 2/5 power = * 60 hours at 3/5 power = * 60 hours at 3/4 power =...
, Undaunted **HMS Undaunted (1886)HMS Undaunted was a ship of the Orlando-class of first-class cruisers built in the yards of Palmer and launched on 3 August 1886 and sold for scrapping on 9 April 1907 to Harris of Bristol.-References:...
. - 2nd Class cruisers: Arethusa ‡, Astraea ‡HMS Astraea (1893)HMS Astraea was an Astraea class second class cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was built towards the end of the nineteenth century, and survived to serve in the First World War.-Construction and commissioning:...
, Bonaventure, Dido ‡, HermioneHMS Hermione (1893)HMS Hermione was an Astraea-class protected cruiser launched at Devonport in 1893. She served in World War I and was sold in 1921. She was renamed HMS Warspite in 1922, and broken up in 1940....
, lsis ‡, Pique. - 3rd Class cruisers: Alacrity, Wallaroo ‡HMS Wallaroo (1890)HMS Wallaroo was an Pearl-class cruiser of the Royal Navy, originally named HMS Persian, built by Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick, Tyne and Wear and launched on 5 February 1890....
. - Destroyers: Fame, HartHMS Hart (1895)HMS Hart was a which served with the Royal Navy. She was built in 1895 at Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, spent most of her career on the China Station and was sold in 1912....
, OtterHMS Otter (1896)HMS Otter was one of three s to serve with the Royal Navy. She spent her whole career on the China Station and was sold in 1916....
, WhitingHMS Whiting (1896)HMS Whiting was a Star-class destroyer of the three-funneled "C" type in the Royal Navy. She was launched by Palmers in 1896, served during World War I and was broken up after the end of hostilities in 1919....
. - Sloops: Algerine, Daphne, PhoenixHMS Phoenix (1895)HMS Phoenix was a steel screw sloop of the Royal Navy. She was launched at Devonport in 1895, saw action in China during the Boxer Rebellion, and later served on the Pacific Station. She had the misfortune to be alongside a coaling pier in Hong Kong on 18 September 1906 when a typhoon struck the...
, Rosario. - Gunvessel: Linnet.
- Gunboats: Bramble, Brisk, Britomart, Esk , Lizard ‡, Pigmy, Plover, Redpole.
- Storeship: Humber.
- Receiving ship Hong Kong: TamarHMS Tamar (1863)HMS Tamar was a Royal Navy troopship built by the Samuda Brothers at Cubitt Town, London, and launched in Britain in 1863. She served as a supply ship from 1897 to 1941, and gave her name to the HMS Tamar shore station in Hong Kong ....
(flagship of the Commodore in charge at Hong Kong, Commodore Francis Powell, C.B) - River steamers: Robin, Sandpiper, Snipe, Woodcock, Woodlark.
‡ Temporarily attached to China Station.
The March 1901 Navy List listed her commissioned and warrant officers as follows (she was temporarily attached to the China Station at the time):
| Post | Name | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | James Startin | 14 November 1899 |
| Lieutenant | (G) Percy M.R. Royds | 14 November 1899 |
| (N) Henry Butterworth | 14 November 1899 | |
| Claude A. Rombulow Pearse | 14 November 1899 | |
| Edward L. Hughes | 14 November 1899 | |
| Augustine E. Ruxton | 14 November 1899 | |
| Francis F. Chapman | 12 July 1900 | |
| Lieutenant R.N.R. | Martin O'Connor (act) | 12 March 1900 |
| Lieutenant R.M. | William G. Simpson | 14 November 1899 |
| Chaplain | Rev. Michael Longridge B.A. | 14 November 1899 |
| Paymaster | John E. Jones | 14 November 1899 |
| Chief Engineer | Charles J.James | 14 November 1899 |
| Surgeon | Arthur Gaskell | 15 February 1901 |
| Assistant Paymaster | Richard H. Hamer | 14 November 1899 |
| Engineer | Thomas Pearce | 14 November 1899 |
| Assistant Engineer | Frank A.Butler | 14 November 1899 |
| Gunner | (T) William Barlow | 14 November 1899 |
| Boatswain | William Rumbsy | 14 November 1899 |
| Edward Penny | 14 November 1899 | |
| Carpenter | Frederick Lawrence | 14 November 1899 |
| Clerk | Geoffrey M. French Lent to Orlando HMS Orlando (1886) HMS Orlando was the lead ship of the Orlando-class of first-class cruisers built in the yards of Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow and launched on 3 August 1886.... 14 August 1900 |
21 November 1899 |
Arethusa Logbooks in the UK National Archives
| Catalogue Number | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| ADM 53/12513 | 8 July 1887 | 1 September 1887 |
| ADM 53/12514 | 4 July 1888 | 31 August 1888 |
| ADM 53/12515 | 18 July 1889 | 14 September 1889 |
| ADM 53/12516 | 22 July 1890 | 11 September 1890 |
| ADM 53/12517 | 21 July 1892 | 8 September 1892 |
| ADM 53/12518 | 16 May 1893 | 11 May 1894 |
| ADM 53/12519 | 12 May 1894 | 14 August 1895 |
| ADM 53/12520 | 15 August 1895 | 22 July 1896 |
| ADM 53/17281 A | 11 July 1899 | 13 August 1899 |
| ADM 53/12521 | 14 November 1899 | 15 April 1901 |
| ADM 53/12522 | 16 April 1901 | 27 November 1902 |
| ADM 53/17281 B | 28 November 1902 | 3 April 1903 |