Australia 1888
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Orlando | 567 | Palmer, Jarrow | 23.4.1885 | 3.8.1886 | 6.1888 | sold to BU 7.1905 | |
| Australia | 397 | Napier, Govan | 21.4.1885 | 25.11.1886 | 11.12.1888 | sold to BU 4.1905 | |
| Undaunted | 568 | Palmer, Jarrow | 23.4.1885 | 25.11.1886 | 7.1889 | sold to BU 4.1907 | |
| Narcissus | 288 | Earle, Hull | 27.4.1885 | 15.12.1886 | 7.1889 | sold to BU 9.1906 | |
| Galatea | 398 | Napier, Govan | 21.4.1885 | 10.3.1887 | 3.1889 | sold to BU 4.1905 | |
| Immortalité | Chatham DYd | 18.1.1886 | 7.6.1887 | 7.1889 | sold to BU 1.1907 | ||
| Aurora | 212 | Pembroke DYd | 1.2.1886 | 28.10.1887 | 7.1889 | sold to BU 10.1907 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
5600 |
|
Displacement full, t |
|
|
Length, m |
91.4 pp |
|
Breadth, m |
17.1 |
|
Draught, m |
6.86 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 VTE, 4 cylindrical double-ended boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
natural draught: 5500 forced draught: 8500 |
|
Max speed, kts |
natural draught: 17 forced draught: 18 |
|
Fuel, t |
coal 900 |
|
Endurance, nm(kts) |
8000(10) |
| Armour, mm | compound; belt: 254, bulkheads (iron): 406, decks: 76 - 51, CT: 305 |
|
Armament |
Orlando, Australia, Undaunted: 2 x 1 - 234/32 BL Mk V, 10 x 1 - 152/26 BL Mk VI, 6 x 1 - 57/40 Hotchkiss Mk I, 10 x 1 - 47/40 Hotchkiss Mk I, 6 - 450 TT (beam, 2sm 4 aw) Narcissus, Galatea, Immortalité, Aurora: 2 x 1 - 234/32 BL Mk V/VI, 10 x 1 - 152/26 BL Mk VI, 6 x 1 - 57/40 6pdr Hotchkiss Mk I, 10 x 1 - 47/40 3pdr Hotchkiss Mk I, 6 - 450 TT (1 bow sm, 1 aft sm, 4 beam aw) |
|
Complement |
484 |
Project history: Enlarged versions of the
protected cruiser Mersey with side armour substituted for the protective
deck amidships, these were smaller, cheaper and more successful than the earlier
armoured cruisers but their narrow waterline belt was of little value and the
weight could have been utilized to better effect in a full length protective
deck. Designed as trade protection cruisers for worldwide service, they had an
endurance of 8000nm at 10kts with a full coal capacity of 900t. Five were
ordered in 1885 and two, Immortalité and Aurora, in 1886.
The ships were designed with a load displacement of 5040t, a
steel hull, 2-cyl IC engines of 7500ihp, 440t nominal coal capacity and 234mm
18t and 152mm 4.5t guns. During construction the design was altered to
incorporate 3-cyl TE engines of 8500ihp and 234mm 22t and 152mm 5t guns, and the
nominal coal capacity was increased to 750t. These together with several
additions to equipment and hull weights raised the designed displacement to
5535t and increased the draught by 5.49m which placed the top of belt at load
water line. However, apart from the reduced value of the protection this did not
seriously affect the design and they proved reasonably successful in service,
being popular ships which were both good sea boats and good steamers. All
exceeded their designed power on trials, Galatea being the best at
9205ihp, and made between 18.8kts (Australia) and 19.4kts (Undaunted)
on the measured mile, although the trials were run light.
The main armament was fitted in shielded mountings on the
upper deck with the 234mm guns on the centreline fore and aft and 5 152mm on
each side amidships. Most of the 57mm and 47mm QF guns were mounted in broadside
positions on the main deck. The entry into service of many of the class was
delayed by the late arrival of their armament and some commissioned for the 1887
Review with dummy wooden guns.
They commissioned for full service between 1888 and 1893.
Ship protection: There was a 254mm thick belt of compound armour 61m by 1.68m, closed at the ends by 406mm wrought iron bulkheads Above the belt the lower deck was constructed of 51mm plating over the full length of the ship with 76mm sloping edges beyond the side armour. Protection was enhanced by extensive subdivision and by the provision of wing coal bunkers both above and below the protective deck.
Modernizations: 1895-1897, all: funnels were increased in height; - 10 x 1 - 152/26; + 10 x 1 - 152/27 QF Mk III/VI
Naval service: Beiween 1899 and 1902 all were reduced to subsidiary duties or were placed in reserve.
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
Undaunted 1898
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-14