Comus Class steel corvettes.  Photographs and history of the steel corvettes of the Comus Class, launched 1878 - 1881, including HMS Comus, HMS Carysfort, HMS Champion, HMS Cleopatra, HMS Conquest, HMS Curacoa, HMS Constance, HMS Canada and HMS Cordelia.

HMS Champion

HMS Champion - Name History

The fifth “CHAMPION” is a 14-gun screw corvette, launched at Glasgow in 1878.  She is of 2380 tons, 2300 horse-power, and 13 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 225ft., 44ft., and 19ft. In August 1891 the “Champion,” commanded by Captain Frederick St. Clair, co-operated with some American, French, and German vessels in landing men at Valparaiso in order to protect the consulates during a Chilian revolution.  The officers of the international parties placed themselves in front of the muzzles of some machine guns with which the president-elect had intended to decimate the civilian populace. After some years service in the training squadron the “Champion” became a strokers’ training-ship at Chatham.  

HMS Champion, 1878.

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  XMP3032

HMS Cleopatra on Duty as Senior Officer's Ship off Newfoundland

HMS Curacoa, 1878.

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  XMP3033

HMS Curacoa, 1891.

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  XMP3034

HMS Constance, 1880.

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  XMP3035

HMS Constance.  Showing 64-pounder muzzle-loader guns. No.5 is to the far left of the image.  The Captain is shown to the left of the mast, with the ship's mascot goat in front of him.  W H Anderson is either the sailor standing to the far left, or is standing next to the Captain.

Image contributed by and copyright of James E Anderson.  From his grandfathers collection, who served on the ship at the time. 

HMS Constance Theatrical Party, Nagasaki, 1886.

Standing from left Able Seaman Brown, unknown, Able Seaman Sutton (head shown only, looking away), Gunner Sims (leaning left), unknown, Able Seaman Cox (in white), Able Seaman Jones, unknown, Able Seaman Harris (wearing top hat), Able Seaman Brown (wearing shawl), and Able Seaman Anderson. Crouching, holding child is Sergeant Parry.

Image contributed by and copyright of James E Anderson.  From his grandfathers collection, who served on the ship at the time. 

HMS Constance, Port Hamilton, 1888-89.

Image contributed by and copyright of James E Anderson.  From his grandfathers collection, who served on the ship at the time. 

Gravestone of the former Captain of HMS Constance (Name obscured by chain).

Message reads 'This stone was erected by the Petty Officers and ship's company of the "Constance"'

Image contributed by and copyright of James E Anderson.  From his grandfathers collection, who served on the ship at the time. 

HMS Constance at Yokohama.  Served in China 1885 - 1889.

Image contributed by and copyright of James E Anderson.  From his grandfathers collection, who served on the ship at the time. 

Crew on HMS Constance at Yokohama.  Chinese Station 1885 - 1889.

Image contributed by and copyright of James E Anderson.  From his grandfathers collection, who served on the ship at the time. 

Officers of HMS Constance, 1888.

Capt Leicester C Keppel is sitting in the centre, (directly above the ship's mascot goat); Lieutenant Brock is to the Captain's right, behind the officer with his head turned away; Behind him, with a beard, is the ship's Chaplain Mr Hislop.  One in from him towards the centre of the ship along the back row is Lieutenant Apperman.  Sitting in the visible chair on the other side of the photo is Lieutenant Drury R.M.; Standing behind him is Lieutenant Smith.  Next to him is Dr Tempelman, and next to him again is Lieutnenant Gabbins.  Next to him, with the large beard, is Boatswain Martlow.  All of the names were difficult to read, so are just our best guesses at them.

Image contributed by and copyright of James E Anderson.  From his grandfathers collection, who served on the ship at the time. 

Above photographs contributed by James E Anderson, whose grandfather William Henry Anderson served on HMS Flamingo and HMS Constance.  He was born in 1863 and signed on for the navy aged 16, serving as an Able Seaman in HMS Flamingo and HMS Constance, buying himself out after about 7 years. We would like to thank James for his generous contribution.  The photograph below shows Admiral Jellicoe in Sheffield in 1934, with William Henry Anderson at the back, behind the saluting arm of the sailor.

HMS Cordelia, 1891.

Six ratings were killed and thirteen wounded when a gun burst in HMS Cordelia during gun practice while on a cruise from Fiji to Noumea, 26th June 1891.