HMS Malabar (1866) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Malabar
Ordered	1865
Builder	Thames Shipbuilding Co., Leamouth, London
Yard number	120
Launched	8 December 1866
Fate	Became the base ship at Bermuda in 1897 Renamed HMS Terror on 1 May 1905 Sold in January 1918
General characteristics
Class and type	Euphrates-class troopship
Type	Troopship
Displacement	6,186 tons, 4,189 tons BM
Length	360 ft (109.7 m) (overall)
Beam	49 ft 0.75 in (15.0 m)
Depth of hold	22 ft 4 in (6.81 m)
Installed power	As built: 4,893 ihp (3,649 kW) From 1873: unknown
Propulsion	2-cylinder horizontal single-expansion (later compound-expansion) trunk engine Single screw
Sail plan	Barque
Speed	15 kn (28 km/h)
Armament	Three 4-pounder guns

HMS Malabar was a special kind of ship called a Euphrates-class troopship. It was launched in 1866. This was the fifth ship in the Royal Navy to have the name Malabar.

Its main job was to carry soldiers and their families. It sailed between the United Kingdom and British India. Later, in 1897, it became a base ship in Bermuda. This means it was used as a floating headquarters or supply ship. It was renamed HMS Terror in 1905 and was sold in 1918.

Building a Troopship: The Design of HMS Malabar

The Malabar was one of five ships in the Euphrates class. All these ships were made with iron hulls. They were designed to be about 360 feet (109.7 meters) long and 49 feet (14.9 meters) wide. The Malabar was just a tiny bit smaller than the others.

These ships had one propeller and could travel at about 14 knots (26 km/h). They had one funnel and sails like a barque. They also carried three small 4-pounder guns for defense. Their hulls were painted white. The front of the ship, called the bow, was a "ram bow." This part stuck out forward below the water.

How to Tell Them Apart: Ship Identification

Each ship in the Euphrates class had a different colored band on its hull. This helped people tell them apart. The Malabar had a black band around its hull. Another ship in the class, the Euphrates, had a blue band. This blue band later became the standard color for all British troopships.

Life at Sea: The Ship's Career

The Malabar was built to move troops between the United Kingdom and India. It was operated by the Royal Navy. It could carry up to 1,200 soldiers and their families. A trip usually took about 70 days.

Around 1873, the ship's engine was updated. Its original steam engine was replaced with a newer, more efficient one.

In November 1878, the Malabar had engine trouble. This happened in the English Channel while it was sailing to India. Another ship, the Benjamin Whitworth, helped tow it to Plymouth, England. The Malabar also ran aground (got stuck on the seabed) near Plymouth around that time.

What Happened Next: The Ship's Fate

In 1897, the Malabar became a depot ship in Bermuda. This meant it served as a floating base. On May 1, 1905, its name was changed to HMS Terror. The name Malabar was later used for the Royal Naval dockyard in Bermuda. HMS Terror was eventually sold in January 1918.

Who Was in Charge: Commanding Officers

HMS Malabar

Here are some of the captains who commanded HMS Malabar during its time in service: