Name HMS Andromache Laid down May 1889 Nickname(s) "Andy Mac" Construction started May 1889 Length 96 m | Builder Chatham Dockyard Commissioned 1892 Fate broken up 1920 Launched 14 August 1890 Draft 5.33 m | |
HMS Andromache was an Apollo-class protected cruiser of the Royal Navy. Designed by William Henry White, she was built at Chatham Dockyard and launched on 14 August 1890. The total cost of construction was £186,234.
Andromache was initially allocated to A Division of the Fleet Reserve.
History
Ordered under the Naval Defence Act 1889, Andromache was built in 1890 at Chatham Dockyard. She was present at the Naval Review at Spithead on 26 June 1897 in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. On 4 March 1900, it was reported that the Andromache had been transferred from the Medway to the Devonport Fleet Reserve. With the exception of the previous year's manoeuvres Andromache had been unemployed since being built. On 27 June 1900, orders from Devonport were given for a naval mobilization to take place on Tuesday, 10 July. Commander Francis Alan Richard Bowles was appointed in command on 23 April 1902, and in June that year she was reported to serve as Naval Reserve drill ship at North Shields.
On 1 February 1908, the torpedo gunboat Leda collided with Andromache in Harwich harbour, and had to be beached to avoid sinking. In 1910, the ship was converted to a minelayer. In August 1914 she joined the Minelayer Squadron, after which she was reduced to harbour duties.