HMS Buzzard (1887)

HMS Buzzard was a Nymphe-class composite screw sloop and the fourth ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Buzzard.

HMS Buzzard at Blackfriars on the Thames in 1906
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Buzzard
Builder: Sheerness Dockyard
Cost:
  • Hull: £42,500
  • Machinery: £16,200[1]
Laid down: 1 May 1886[1]
Launched: 10 May 1887[2]
Commissioned: 14 April 1888[1]
Fate: Sold for scrap on 6 September 1921
General characteristics [1]
Class and type: Nymphe-class sloop
Tonnage: 584 tons[2]
Displacement: 1,140 tons
Length: 195 ft 0 in (59.4 m) pp
Beam: 28 ft 0 in (8.5 m)
Draught: 12 ft 6 in (3.8 m)
Installed power: 2,000 ihp (1,500 kW)
Propulsion:
  • Horizontal triple-expansion steam engine
  • Twin screw
Sail plan: Barquentine rigged
Speed: 14.5 kn (26.9 km/h)
Range: 3,000 nmi (5,600 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h)
Complement: 135
Armament:
Buzzard on the Thames in June 1907

Design

Developed and constructed for the Royal Navy on a design by William Henry White, Director of Naval Construction,[2] she was launched at Sheerness Dockyard on 10 May 1887.

Foreign service

The Nymphe-class sloops were ideal for service in the far distant outposts of the British Empire, and Buzzard was employed on the North America and West Indies Station. In early April 1902, under the command of Commander L. F. G. Tippinge, she left Bermuda for home waters, calling at Faial Island,[4] before she arrived at Devonport on 20 April.[5] She was paid off at Chatham on 13 May 1902.[6]

Harbour training ship

In 1904 she was converted to a drill ship for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve at Blackfriars, London, and in 1911 Buzzard relieved HMS President (formerly HMS Gannet of 1878) as headquarters ship, being renamed HMS President on 1 April 1911.

Disposal

As President she served until 23 January 1918, when she was lent to the Marine Society. She was sold to C A Beard for breaking on 6 September 1921, and was later re-sold to Dutch ship breakers.[1]

References
  1. Winfield (2004) p.293
  2. The Times (London), Wednesday, 11 May 1887, p.9
  3. Preston (2007) p.182
  4. "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times (36731). London. 2 April 1902. p. 8.
  5. "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times (36747). London. 21 April 1902. p. 6.
  6. "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times (36767). London. 14 May 1902. p. 12.
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