HMS Express (1874)

HMS Express was a Forester-class gunboat built by William Doxford & Sons Ltd for the Royal Navy.[1]

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Express.
A postcard of HMS Express

The Express was the second of the class launched, on 16 July 1874, and commissioned at HMNB Devonport on 10 August 1875.

In 1877, the Express was detailed to North Africa. Whilst at Gibraltar, it was involved in the capture of a number of Spanish smugglers.[2]

Whilst returning from Africa, the Express suffered a broken main shaft near Cape Verde and was taken under tow by the HMS Banterer.[3][4]

The vessel remained in service until being sold in August 1889,[5] to G Rodrigues of Liverpool. Whilst under tow from Plymouth to Liverpool, it became separated from its tug and was sunk on 7 October 1889 in a Force 11 gale, running onto rocks near Aberffraw, Wales.[6]

References
  1. Winfield, R.; Lyon, D. (2004). The Sail and Steam Navy List: All the Ships of the Royal Navy 1815–1889. London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-032-6. OCLC 52620555.
  2. "Encounter between H.M.S. Express and Spanish Smugglers". Wiltshire County Mirror. 29 May 1877.
  3. "Accident to HMS Express". South Wales Echo. 6 August 1887.
  4. "Mishap to HMS Express". Sheilds Daily News. 7 July 1887.
  5. Preston, Antony; Major, John (2007). Send a Gunboat: The Victorian Navy and Supremacy at Sea, 1854–1904 (2nd ed.). London: Conway. ISBN 978-0-85177-923-2.
  6. "HMS Express lost 1889". University of Liverpool.
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