Name HMS Antelope Commissioned 18 July 1894 Construction started 21 October 1889 Length 74 m Displacement 734,800 kg | Laid down 21 October 1889 Beam 27 ft (8.2 m) Launched 12 July 1893 Weight 823 tons Builder HMNB Devonport | |
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Fate Sold for breaking on 27 May 1919 Class and type Alarm-class torpedo gunboat | ||
HMS Antelope was a Royal Navy Alarm-class torpedo gunboat. She was launched in 1893, reduced to harbour service from 1910 and was sold for scrapping in 1919.
Contents
Design
The Alarm class was designed by Sir William White in 1889. They had a length overall of 242 ft (74 m), a beam of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a displacement of 810 tons. Antelope was engined by Yarrows with two sets of vertical triple-expansion steam engines, two locomotive-type boilers, and twin screws. This layout produced 3,500 indicated horsepower (2,600 kW), giving her a speed of 18.7 knots (34.6 km/h) with forced draught. She carried between 100 and 160 tons of coal and was manned by 91 sailors and officers.
Armament
When built Antelope was fitted with two QF 4.7-inch (12 cm)/45-pounder guns, four 3-pounder guns and one Gardner machine gun. Her three 18-inch torpedo tubes torpedo tubes were arranged as a pair of revolving deck mounts and a single bow-mounted tube; three reloads were provided.
Launch
The ship was launched by Miss Crocker, the daughter of the shipyard manager. In 2015, her grandson displayed a commemorative wooden box, holding the mallet and chisel she used to server the rope tethering the ship, on the BBC programme Antiques Roadshow.
Naval Review of 1897
On 26 June 1897 she was present at the Fleet Review at Spithead in celebration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
1900 mobilization
On 27 June 1900 it was announced that the date of the mobilization for naval manoeuvres had been fixed for 10 July. Antelope, together with capital ships, cruisers, torpedo boats and other torpedo gunboats, was ordered to be ready for sea. Commander Henry Arthur Phillips was appointed in command in early May 1902, and in July 1902 she rejoined the Channel and Home squadrons.
Harbour service
Antelope was reduced to harbour service from 1910 and used as a training ship at Devonport.
Sale list
In August 1914 she was listed for sale at Devonport. It is likely that she remained in harbour service for the duration of World War I.
Disposal
Antelope was sold to T R Sales for breaking on 27 May 1919.