Leander 2nd Class Cruisers

Repeat builds of the Iris Class cruiser, Mercury, but modified to include a protective deck and improved machinery and armament.  Originally classified as despatch vessels, they were redesignated second class cruisers prior to completion.  After trials with Phaeton, the funnels were raised 6ft to improve the draught to the boilers and subsequently all of the ships exceeded the designed speed.  These were good steam vessels but poor sea boats with a heavy roll in certain sea conditions.  They retained their yards until the late 1890's.  Leander became a depot ship in 1904.  Phaeton was old in 1913 to become the TS Indefatigable; repurchased in 1941 to become Carrick II, a RN Training Ship throughout WWII.

Displacement: 4300 tons.    I.H.P: 5500    Length: 315 feet.    Beam: 46 ft.   Depth: 20 ft 6 ins.    Speed: c.16.5 knots.  Armament : 10 - 6in BLR, 16 MGs, 4 TT aw.   Complement: 278.

HMS Amphion

HMS Ampion.

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HMS Arethusa

HMS Arethusa, August, 1894

HMS Leander

HMS Leander, June 25th, 1897

HMS Phaeton

HMS Phaeton, docking on a winter's day at Vancouver Island, circa 1898.