HMS Abyssinia (1870) facts for kids
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Abyssinia circa. 1895
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Bombay Marine |
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| Name | HMS Abyssinia |
| Builder | J & W Dudgeon, Cubitt Town, London |
| Cost | £116,549 |
| Laid down | 23 July 1868 |
| Launched | 19 February 1870 |
| Completed | October 1870 |
| Fate | Broken up, 1903 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Modified Cerberus-class monitor |
| Displacement | 2,901 tons |
| Tons burthen | 1854 bm |
| Length | 225 ft (69 m) pp |
| Beam | 42 ft (13 m) |
| Draught | 14 ft 7 in (4.45 m) |
| Installed power | 1,200 ihp (890 kW) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 9.59 knots (18 km/h) |
| Complement | 100 |
| Armament |
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| Armour |
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HMS Abyssinia was a special type of warship called a breastwork monitor. It was built by a company named J & W Dudgeon in London. This ship was made specifically for the Bombay Marine to protect the harbour in Bombay, India.
Contents
Designing a Harbour Defender
Abyssinia was designed by Sir Edward Reed. She was a smaller version of other ships, like Cerberus and Magdala. These ships were sometimes called "half-sisters" because they were similar but not exactly the same.
Why Was Abyssinia Different?
The plan was for Abyssinia and Magdala to work together. They would protect the coast around Bombay. The navy wanted two ships like the Cerberus class. But because of money limits, they had to build a smaller, cheaper ship after ordering Magdala.
Abyssinia looked a lot like Magdala. However, she was smaller and cost about £20,000 less. She sat a bit lower in the water. She also had a shorter "breastwork," which is a protected part of the ship. Abyssinia could carry less coal and was about one knot slower.
The Journey to Bombay
Abyssinia made the long trip to her base in Bombay all by herself. She used her own engines and did not need any sails. Unlike her half-sisters, her hull was not changed for the journey. She actually made the trip faster than they did.
Service History
Abyssinia spent her entire time in service anchored in Bombay harbour. She only left for short trips to practice firing her guns. In 1903, the Indian Harbour Defence Service was stopped. Abyssinia was then sold in Bombay and taken apart.
