Philomel 1891
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Katoomba (ex-Pandora) | 542 | Armstrong, Elswick | 15.8.1888 | 27.8.1889 | 24.3.1891 | sold for BU 7.1906 | |
| Tauranga (ex-Phoenix) | 243 | Thomson, Clydebank | 20.8.1888 | 28.10.1889 | 6.1891 | sold for BU 7.1906 | |
| Mildura (ex-Pelorus) | 543 | Armstrong, Elswick | 15.8.1888 | 25.11.1889 | 18.3.1891 | sold for BU 4.1906 | |
| Ringarooma (ex-Psyche) | 244 | Thomson, Clydebank | 20.8.1888 | 10.12.1889 | 3.2.1891 | sold for BU 5.1906 | |
| Wallaroo (ex-Persian) | N82, N6A | 544 | Armstrong, Elswick | 15.8.1888 | 5.2.1890 | 31.3.1891 | harbour service 1906, guardship 11.1914, sold 2.1920 |
| Pallas | Portsmouth DYd | 1.7.1889 | 30.6.1890 | 7.1891 | sold 7.1906 | ||
| Phoebe | Devonport DYd | 23.4.1889 | 1.7.1890 | 3.1892 | sold for BU 7.1906 | ||
| Pearl | 224 | Pembroke DYd | 1.4.1889 | 28.7.1890 | 10.1892 | sold for BU 7.1906 | |
| Philomel (1914- RNZN) | Devonport DYd | 9.5.1889 | 28.8.1890 | 10.11.1891 | depot ship 3.1921 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
2575 |
|
Displacement full, t |
|
|
Length, m |
80.8 pp 84.7 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
12.5 |
|
Draught, m |
4.72 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 3-cyl VTE, 4 double-ended cylindrical boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
Katoomba, Tauranga, Mildura, Ringarooma, Wallaroo: natural draught 4000, forced draught 7500 Pallas, Phoebe, Pearl, Philomel: natural draught 4500, forced draught 7500 |
|
Max speed, kts |
Katoomba, Tauranga, Mildura, Ringarooma, Wallaroo: natural draught 17, forced draught 19 Pallas, Phoebe, Pearl, Philomel: natural draught 17.5, forced draught 19 |
|
Fuel, t |
coal |
|
Endurance, nm(kts) |
|
| Armour, mm | steel; deck: 51-25, gunshields: 51, CT: 76 |
|
Armament |
8 x 1 - 120/40 QF Mk I/II/III/IV, 8 x 1 - 47/40 3pdr Hotchkiss Mk I, 4 x 1 - 11.4/78, 2 - 356 TT (1 bow, 1 aft, aw), 2 - 356 TC |
|
Complement |
217 |
Project history: Five of this class were
provided under the terms of the Imperial Defence Act of 1887 and were paid for
by Australia on the understanding that they were to be stationed in Australian
waters. They were, however, manned by the Royal Navy and remained under
Admiralty control. They were all originally given 'P' names but were allotted
new names of Australian origin 2.4.1890. In design they were modified versions
of the Medea with the same dimensions and protection but reduced engine
power and a main armament of eight 120mm QF instead of six 152mm BL guns. A
further four were ordered by the Admiralty under the Naval Defence Act of 1889
but these differed from the Australian group in having the nominal power of the
machinery raised from 4000 to 4500ihp for a 0.5kt improvement in speed although
forced draught power was retained at 7500ihp in an attempt lo avoid boiler
troubles. Their machinery power and speed dropped off after a few years' service
although this was of course more marked in the Australian ships.
The main guns were disposed as in the Medea except
that two were mounted on each side of the upper deck instead of one. All the
47mm QF guns were mounted on the upper deck with four in the waist and two each
at bow and stern firing through embrasured ports. They had a fixed TT at the
stem and stern and two TCs abreast the mainmast, all being carried at upper deck
level. The Australian ships had fidded topmasts while the remainder had single
pole masts. They were originally classified as second class cruisers but were
re-rated prior to completion.
Ship protection: Protective deck extended to the full length of the ships, being 25mm on the flat and 51mm on the slope amidships and uniform 25mm at the ends.
Modernizations: None.
Naval service: Philomel was transferred to the New Zealand Government in 1914, became a base ship in March 1921, was sold as hulk in January 1947 and was scuttled off New Zealand 6.8.1949. Wallaroo was reduced to harbour service in 1906, renamed Wallington 5.3.1919 and sold to BU in February 1920.
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
Katoomba 1890s
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-09