HMS Flora (1893)

HMS Flora was an Astraea-class cruiser of the Royal Navy launched on 21 November 1893.[2] She was constructed under the Naval Defence Act 1889 along with several other Astraea-class cruisers.[3] Flora was decommissioned in 1922.

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

HMS Flora
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Flora
BuilderPembroke Dock
Launched21 November 1893
Commissioned24 July 1895[1]
DecommissionedMarch 1922
RenamedTS Indus II in April 1915
FateSold 12 December 1922 for breaking up in Dover
General characteristics
Class and typeAstraea-class cruiser
Displacement4,360 long tons (4,430 t) fully loaded
Length320 ft (98 m)
Beam49 ft 6 in (15.09 m)
Draught19 ft (5.8 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 shaft, 3 cycle TE, 8 cylinder boilers
  • 7,500 hp (5,600 kW) natural draught; 9,500 hp (7,100 kW) forced draught
  • Coal 1000 tons maximum load
Speed
  • 18 knots (33 km/h) natural draught
  • 19.5 knots (36.1 km/h) forced draught
Range7,000 nmi (13,000 km)
Complement44
Armament
Armour
  • Deck 2 in (51 mm)
  • Conning tower 3 in (76 mm)
  • Gunshields 4.5 in (114 mm)
  • engine hatch 5 in (127 mm)

Operational history

HMS Flora served a commission, under the command of Commodore Robert Leonard Groome and later of Captain Frederick Sidney Pelham, as senior officer′s ship on the South East Coast of America Station until June 1901, when she returned to Devonport to pay off.[4]

She was commissioned at Devonport on 11 November 1902[5] to relieve HMS Phaeton for service on the Pacific Station.[6] Leaving Plymouth in late November,[7] she stopped in Funchal, Saint Vincent, Pernambuco and Montevideo before she arrived at the station early the following year.[8]

HMS Flora was the subject of a famous salvage operation after running aground in 1903.[9]

HMS "Indus II" at Devonport in October 1915[10]

In 1914, just prior to the First World War, Flora was placed on the sale list and remained on harbour service for the majority of the conflict. In April 1915 Flora was renamed TS Indus II. She was sold on 12 December 1922 and was broken up at Dover.

HMS Beagle, Swallow, Basilisk and Flora, unknown artist

References
  1. The Times (London), Thursday, 25 July 1895, p.10
  2. Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
  3. Historyofwar.org
  4. "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times. No. 36476. London. 8 June 1901. p. 9.
  5. "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times. No. 36902. London. 18 October 1902. p. 9.
  6. "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times. No. 36922. London. 11 November 1902. p. 5.
  7. "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times. No. 36936. London. 27 November 1902. p. 7.
  8. "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times. No. 36948. London. 11 December 1902. p. 10.
  9. Wreckers at Work on H.M.S. Flora, New York Times, 5 December 1903
  10. http://www.olddevonport.uk/Royal%20Navy%20in%20Old%20Devonport-Training%20Ships-HMS%20Indus.htm

Publications
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