nearly sister-ship Shearwater 1905
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Espiegle | Sheerness DYd | 1900 | 8.12.1900 | 1901 | sold 9.1923 | ||
| Fantome | Sheerness DYd | 1900 | 23.3.1901 | 1902 | survey ship 1906 | ||
| Merlin | Sheerness DYd | 1901 | 30.11.1901 | 1902 | survey ship 9.1906 | ||
| Odin | Sheerness DYd | 1901 | 30.11.1901 | 1902 | sold 11.1920 | ||
| Clio | Sheerness DYd | 1902 | 14.3.1903 | 1904 | sold 11.1920 | ||
| Cadmus | Sheerness DYd | 1902 | 29.4.1903 | 1904 | sold 9.1921 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
1070 |
|
Displacement full, t |
|
|
Length, m |
56.4 pp 64.1 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
10.1 |
|
Draught, m |
3.42 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
sails + 2 3-cyl VTE, 4 Belleville boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
1400 |
|
Max speed, kts |
13.2 |
|
Fuel, t |
coal |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 4000(10) |
| Armour, mm | steel; deck: 38 - 25, gunshields: 6 |
| Armament |
6 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk III, 4 x 1 - 47/40 3pdr Hotchkiss Mk I, 3 x 1 - 11.4/94 |
|
Complement |
120 - 135 |
Project history: Four of these sloops were launched at the end of Sir William White's term of office, who was succeeded by Sir Philip Watts(1902/12) as Director of Naval Construction. These were the last of the long line of sloops still retaining the elements of sail power. They were schooner-rigged, with square sails on the foremast. All yards and canvas disappeared prior to 1914. Espiegle is credited as being the last ship built for the navy with a figurehead. On their official steam trials these ships logged about half a knot better than their designed speed. The 102mm guns, with their armoured shields, were mounted two on the forecastle forward of the foremast, two amidships almost in line with the funnel, and two on the poop deck under the bridge. A searchlight was positioned between the two bow-mounted guns. The steel hull was sheathed in timber to about 0.9m above the water line. Espiegle never received sails. Naval opinion was critical towards the construction of these ships, considering that they were worthless for purposes of war. After this class, no more sloops were built until 1915 when the first 'mastless' sloops appeared.
Ship protection: Ships had a protective deck of 25mm to 38mm steel extending over the machinery and boilers.
Modernizations: None.
Naval service: Espiegle was cadet`s TS until 1910. Fantome was sold in 1925, Merlin in 1923. Odin served as drillship for Cape Naval Volunteer Corps in 1905-1910.
Clio 1904
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-09