Phoenix class sloop
Encyclopedia
The Phoenix class was a two-ship class
of 6-gun screw steel sloop
s built for the Royal Navy
in 1895. Both ships participated in the suppression of the Boxer Rebellion, but Phoenix was destroyed in a typhoon while alongside in Hong Kong in 1906. Algerine became a depot ship at Esquimalt, was sold in 1919, and was finally wrecked in 1923.
-rigged sails and a twin-screw steam engine developing 1,400 horsepower
. They were essentially a twin-screw version of the Alert-class sloop
.
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_sunk_at_hong_kong.jpg)
Screw sloops like Phoenix had been obsolete for many years, but they remained ideal for patrolling Britain's far flung maritime empire
, and both Phoenix and Algerine were deployed to the China Station
. Both ships recommissioned at Hong Kong
and served in Chinese waters during the Boxer Rebellion
. In June 1900 Algerine was involved in an attack on the Taku Forts
, including contributing to a multi-national landing party, and had 6 men wounded. She also landed a 4-inch gun, and this was used in the capture of Tientsin. Phoenix had the misfortune to be alongside a coaling pier in Hong Kong
on 18 September 1906 when a typhoon struck the colony. She foundered and became a total loss. Algerine continued to serve, including time at Esquimalt and the West Coast of the United States
. In 1914 her crew was sent to man , and in 1917 she was lent to the Royal Canadian Navy to serve as a depot ship at Esquimalt. She was sold in 1919 and converted to a salvage
vessel. In her new guise she was wrecked on 13 October 1923 in the Principe Channel
, British Columbia
.
Ship class
A ship class is a group of ships of a similar design. This is distinct from a ship-type, which might reflect a similarity of tonnage or intended use. For example, the is a nuclear aircraft carrier of the Nimitz class....
of 6-gun screw steel sloop
Sloop-of-war
In the 18th and most of the 19th centuries, a sloop-of-war was a warship with a single gun deck that carried up to eighteen guns. As the rating system covered all vessels with 20 guns and above, this meant that the term sloop-of-war actually encompassed all the unrated combat vessels including the...
s built for 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...
in 1895. Both ships participated in the suppression of the Boxer Rebellion, but Phoenix was destroyed in a typhoon while alongside in Hong Kong in 1906. Algerine became a depot ship at Esquimalt, was sold in 1919, and was finally wrecked in 1923.
Design
Phoenix and Algerine were constructed of steel and powered by both barquentineBarquentine
A barquentine is a sailing vessel with three or more masts; with a square rigged foremast and fore-and-aft rigged main, mizzen and any other masts.-Modern barquentine sailing rig:...
-rigged sails and a twin-screw steam engine developing 1,400 horsepower
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
. They were essentially a twin-screw version of the Alert-class sloop
Alert class sloop
The Alert class was a two-ship class of 6-gun screw steel sloops built for the Royal Navy in 1894.-Design:Alert and Torch were constructed of steel to a design by William White, the Royal Navy Director of Naval Construction...
.
Operational lives
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
, and both Phoenix and Algerine were deployed to the China Station
China Station
The China Station was a historical formation of the British Royal Navy. It was formally the units and establishments responsible to the Commander-in-Chief, China....
. Both ships recommissioned at Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and served in Chinese waters during the Boxer Rebellion
Boxer 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...
. In June 1900 Algerine was involved in an attack on the Taku Forts
Taku Forts
The Dagu Forts , also called the Peiho Forts are forts located by the Hai River estuary, in Tanggu District, Tianjin municipality, in northeastern China. They are located 60 km southeast of the Tianjin urban center.-History:The first fort was built during the reign of the Ming Jiajing...
, including contributing to a multi-national landing party, and had 6 men wounded. She also landed a 4-inch gun, and this was used in the capture of Tientsin. Phoenix had the misfortune to be alongside a coaling pier in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
on 18 September 1906 when a typhoon struck the colony. She foundered and became a total loss. Algerine continued to serve, including time at Esquimalt and the West Coast of the United States
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
. In 1914 her crew was sent to man , and in 1917 she was lent to the Royal Canadian Navy to serve as a depot ship at Esquimalt. She was sold in 1919 and converted to a salvage
Marine salvage
Marine salvage is the process of rescuing a ship, its cargo, or other property from peril. Salvage encompasses rescue towing, refloating a sunken or grounded vessel, or patching or repairing a ship...
vessel. In her new guise she was wrecked on 13 October 1923 in the Principe Channel
Principe Channel
Principe Channel is a strait on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada, located between Banks Island and Pitt Island . "Principe" means "prince" in Spanish....
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
.
Ships
| Name | Ship Builder | |Launched | |Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devonport Royal Dockyard HMNB Devonport Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport , is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy . HMNB Devonport is located in Devonport, in the west of the city of Plymouth in Devon, England... |
|25 April 1895 | |Foundered 18 September 1906 during a typhoon alongside a coaling pier in Hong Kong Hong Kong Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour... . Raised and sold on 7 January 1907. |
|
| Devonport Royal Dockyard HMNB Devonport Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport , is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy . HMNB Devonport is located in Devonport, in the west of the city of Plymouth in Devon, England... |
|28 December 1895 | |Sold 1919. Wrecked 1924. |