HMS Boxer (1894) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Boxer |
| Builder | Thornycroft, Chiswick |
| Laid down | 1894 |
| Launched | 28 November 1894 |
| Christened | Miss Joan Thornycroft |
| Fate | Sunk after collision, 8 February 1918 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Ardent-class destroyer |
| Displacement | 265 long tons (269 t) |
| Length | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) |
| Complement | 53 |
| Armament |
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HMS Boxer was a fast warship known as a destroyer, built for the Royal Navy in 1894. She was part of the Ardent class of destroyers. For several years, she served with the Mediterranean Fleet. She was still active during the First World War before she sank in a collision on February 8, 1918.
Contents
Building a Destroyer: HMS Boxer
Ordering the New Warship
In 1893, the British Admiralty (which was like the main office for the Royal Navy) placed an order for three new destroyers. These ships were named Ardent, Boxer, and Bruizer. They were built by a company called Thornycroft. These destroyers were designed to be even better than earlier ones.
What a Destroyer Needed
The Admiralty didn't give a super strict design for these destroyers. Instead, they gave some general rules. For example, the ships had to be able to reach a speed of 27 knots (31 mph; 50 km/h) during trials. They also needed a special "turtleback" forecastle (the front part of the ship).
The weapons on board could change depending on the ship's job.
- If it was a torpedo boat, it would have one large 12-pounder gun and three smaller 6-pounder guns. It would also have two 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.
- If it was a gunboat, one torpedo tube could be removed to make space for two more 6-pounder guns.
Boxer's Design Details
Thornycroft's design for the Ardent-class destroyers, including Boxer, was quite specific.
- The ship was about 201 feet 8 inches (61.47 m) long overall.
- It had a beam (width) of 19 feet (5.79 m).
- The draught (how deep it sat in the water) was about 7 feet 3+1⁄4 inches (2.22 m).
- When fully loaded, the ship weighed about 301 long tons (306 t).
- Boxer had three Thornycroft water-tube boilers that made steam. This steam powered two triple-expansion steam engines.
- These engines produced about 4,200 indicated horsepower (3,100 kW) of power.
- The ship had two funnels (smokestacks).
- A crew of 45 officers and sailors worked on the ship.
Building and Launching Boxer
Boxer was started at Thornycroft's shipyard in Chiswick in February 1894. She was given the yard number 298. The ship was launched on November 28, 1894. Miss Joan Thornycroft, whose uncle founded the shipyard, performed the naming ceremony.
Boxer had her sea trials (tests in the water) on January 25, 1895. She proved to be very fast, reaching speeds of over 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph)! She was officially finished and ready for service in June 1895.
Boxer's Time at Sea
Early Service in the Mediterranean
In May 1896, HMS Boxer joined the Mediterranean Squadron. This was a group of Royal Navy ships based in the Mediterranean Sea. She took part in special tests to figure out the best color for torpedo boats. The goal was to make them harder to see during night attacks. Boxer was still part of this squadron in 1901.
Back Home and World War I
In 1911, Boxer returned to British waters. She joined the 6th Destroyer Flotilla, which was a group of older destroyers used for patrols. In 1912, the Admiralty decided to group all destroyers into classes based on their speed and looks. Because Boxer was a "27-knotter" (meaning she could go 27 knots), she was put into the A class class in 1913. By March 1913, Boxer was used as a support ship for a training base called Excellent. She was in service but had a smaller crew.
When the First World War began, Boxer was called back to active duty by June 1915. She became part of the Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla, helping to protect the coast.
Final Voyage
On February 8, 1918, a sad event occurred. HMS Boxer crashed into a merchant ship called SS St Patrick in the English Channel. The weather was very bad. As a result of the collision, Boxer sank. One crew member was lost in the accident.
