Mersey 2nd
Class
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.