Pelorus class cruiser

The "Pelorus" class cruiser was a ""Third class"" protected cruiser design class of 11 warships designed by Sir William White (Director of Naval Construction 1885 - 1902), built for the Royal Navy. The first, HMS "Pelorus", was commissioned in 1896. In an era of naval innovation, the class was almost outdated before it even hit the water, and most were sold for scrap by 1914. The survivors were kept in service through the First World War, where one was sunk, and scrapped thereafter.

Development and design

The "Pelorus" class ships displaced 2,135 tons and had a top speed of 20 knots (17.4 mph). They had reciprocating triple expansion steam engines and Normand water-tube boilers which could give 7,000 horsepower for limited periods of time with forced draught, and 5,000 horsepower under natural draught. They carried a crew complement of 224 and were armed with eight QF convert|4|in|mm|sing=on|sigfig=4 (25 pounder) guns, eight 3 pounder guns, 3 machine guns, and two convert|18|in|mm|0|sing=on torpedo tubes.Different boilers were trialled across the class. In effect most served in minor roles and not with the battlefleets.

hips

References

* [http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/pelorus_class.htm Battleships-Cruisers.co.uk: Pelorus Class]
* [http://www.worldwar1.co.uk/light-cruiser/hms-Pelorous.html Pelorous Class Third Class Protected Cruisers]