NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Clio 1904

Ships

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

Technical data

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

Standard scale images

Graphics

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.