HMS Cygnet (1898) facts for kids

For other ships of this name, see HMS Cygnet.

Cygnet's sister-ship, Cynthia
Quick facts for kids History
United Kingdom
Name	Cygnet
Ordered	1896 – 1897 Naval Estimates
Builder	John I Thornycroft, Chiswick
Yard number	320
Laid down	25 September 1897
Launched	3 September 1898
Commissioned	March 1900
Fate	Sold for breaking, 29 April 1920
General characteristics
Class and type	Two funnel, 30 knot destroyer
Displacement	270 long tons (274 t) standard 352 long tons (358 t) full load
Length	210 ft (64 m) o/a
Beam	19 ft 9 in (6.02 m)
Draught	7 ft 8 in (2.34 m)
Installed power	5,700 shp (4,300 kW)
Propulsion	4 × Thornycroft water tube boilers 2 × vertical triple-expansion steam engines 2 shafts
Speed	30 kn (56 km/h)
Range	80 tons coal 1,310 nmi (2,430 km) at 11 kn (20 km/h)
Complement	65 officers and men
Armament	1 × QF 12-pounder 12 cwt Mark I L/40 gun on a P Mark I low angle mount 5 × QF 6-pdr 8 cwt L/40 gun on a Mark I* low angle mount 2 × single tubes for 18-inch (450 mm) torpedoes
Service record
Operations:	World War I 1914 – 1918

HMS Cygnet was a special type of fast warship called a destroyer. It was built for the Royal Navy, which is the United Kingdom's navy. The ship was ordered as part of the 1896–1897 Naval Estimates, which were plans for new ships. Cygnet was the thirteenth ship to be named after a young swan. It was launched in 1898 and served before and during World War I. The ship was eventually sold in 1920 to be taken apart.

Building the Ship

Cygnet was built at the John I Thornycroft and Company shipyard. This shipyard was located in Chiswick, by the River Thames. The ship's construction began on September 25, 1896.

It was officially launched into the water on September 3, 1898. During its first tests, the ship reached a top speed of 30.3 knots. After that, it went to Portsmouth to get its weapons installed. The Royal Navy officially accepted Cygnet in February 1900.

Early Years and Changes

Cygnet officially joined the Royal Navy in March 1900 at Chatham. It was first assigned to the Harwich Flotilla, a group of small warships. Commander Cecil Hickley was its first captain.

From 1899 to 1900, Cygnet was part of a training group in the Medway area. In 1900, it sailed to the East Indies with other ships. These included the cruiser Highflyer and other destroyers.

In 1902, Lieutenant Robert G. D. Dewar took command. He was later replaced by Lieutenant George J. Todd.

In 1912, the navy decided to give all destroyer classes letter names. Because Cygnet was designed to go 30 knots and had two funnels, it was put into the 'D' class. From September 1913, it was known as a D-class destroyer. The letter 'D' was painted on its hull and one of its funnels.

Serving in World War I

When World War I started in August 1914, Cygnet was active. It was part of The Nore Local Flotilla, based at Sheerness. The ship was used as a tender for HMS Actaeon, which was a gunnery training school.

Cygnet stayed in this role for the entire war. It helped with training and other local duties.

End of Service

In 1919, after the war, Cygnet was taken out of service. It was put into reserve, waiting to be sold. On April 29, 1920, the ship was sold to Thos. W. Ward of Sheffield. They broke the ship apart for scrap metal at Rainham, Kent.

How Ships Were Identified

Naval ships often use special numbers called "pennant numbers" to identify them. These numbers can change over time. Here are the pennant numbers for HMS Cygnet: