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HMS Porpoise (1886) facts for kids

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HMS Porpoise Sydney 1900 AWM 302239.jpeg
HMS Porpoise anchored in Sydney Harbour in 1900.
Quick facts for kids
History
United Kingdom
Name HMS Porpoise
Builder J. & G. Thompson, Glasgow
Launched 7 May 1886
Fate Sold on 10 February 1905 for breaking up at Bombay.
General characteristics
Class and type Archer-class torpedo cruiser
Notes Archer class cruiser diagrams Brasseys 1888.jpg
HMS Porpoise NH 57870
HMS Porpoise, date of photo unknown

HMS Porpoise was a special type of warship called a torpedo cruiser. She was part of the Royal Navy, which is the United Kingdom's navy. This ship was built in Glasgow, Scotland, by J. & G. Thompson and was launched on May 7, 1886.

Meet HMS Porpoise

HMS Porpoise was an Archer-class torpedo cruiser. These ships were designed to be fast and carry torpedoes. Torpedoes are underwater weapons that can sink other ships. The Porpoise was an important part of the Royal Navy's fleet in the late 1800s.

What Was a Torpedo Cruiser?

A torpedo cruiser was a warship built for speed. Its main job was to launch torpedoes at enemy ships. They were smaller than battleships but could still be very dangerous. The Archer-class ships were a good example of this design. They helped the Royal Navy protect British interests around the world.

Adventures in Australia

In December 1897, HMS Porpoise began serving on the Australia Station. This was an area where the Royal Navy kept ships to protect British interests in Australia and the Pacific.

While there, in 1899, she helped during a time of trouble in Samoa. She worked with other British ships, HMS Royalist and HMS Tauranga, to help keep peace. After her time in Australia, she left the station.

The End of Her Journey

HMS Porpoise finished her service on May 20, 1901. She was "paid off" at Portsmouth, which means she was taken out of active duty. Later, on February 10, 1905, she was sold in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. She was then taken apart for scrap metal. This is called "breaking up" a ship.

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