NameHMS Prometheus Laid down1897 Construction started1897 Length96 m
NamesakePrometheus Class and typePelorus-class cruiser Launched20 October 1898 Draft4.9 m
FateSold for scrap, 28 May 1914 Displacement2,135 long tons (2,169 t) BuildersEarle's Shipbuilding, Kingston upon Hull
HMS Prometheus was a Pelorus-class protected cruiser of the Royal Navy. There were eleven "Third class" protected cruisers in the class, which was designed by Sir William White. While well armed for their size, they were primarily workhorses for the overseas fleet on "police" duties and did not serve with the main battle fleet. She was sold for scrap in 1914.
The Third class cruisers displaced 2,135 tons, had a crew complement of 224 men and were armed with eight QF 4 inch (102 mm) (25 pounder) guns, eight 3 pounder guns, three machine guns, and two 18 inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes. With reciprocating triple expansion engines and a variety of boilers, the top speed was 20 knots (37 km/h).
HMS Prometheus was laid down at Earle's Shipbuilding, Hull, in 1897, launched on 20 October 1898, and moved to Sheerness to be fitted with arms in 1899. She was completed in early January 1900 and transferred to the Medway Fleet Reserve, from which she was commissioned in 1900.
Service history
Commander Frederick W. F. Hervey was appointed in command in August 1901, and commissioned the ship at Chatham 25 September 1901 to serve in the Channel Squadron. Commander F. C. T. Tudor was appointed in command in early 1902, when she had propeller trials at Portsmouth, and was in command when she took part in the Coronation Review for King Edward VII later that year.