HMS Sappho (1873) facts for kids
The Pacific Squadron. Trying rate of sailings.
HMS Sappho is shown at the bottom left |
|
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
|
| Name | HMS Sappho |
| Namesake | Sappho |
| Builder | Wigram & Sons, Blackwall |
| Laid down | 1872 |
| Launched | 20 November 1873 |
| Completed | February 1874 |
| Fate | Sold for scrap, December 1887 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Fantome-class sloop |
| Displacement | 949 long tons (964 t) |
| Tons burthen | 727 bm |
| Length | 160 ft (48.8 m) (p/p) |
| Beam | 31 ft 4 in (9.6 m) |
| Draught | 14 ft (4.3 m) |
| Depth | 15 ft 6 in (4.7 m) |
| Installed power | 884 ihp (659 kW) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Sail plan | Barque rig |
| Speed | 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
| Range | 1,000 nmi (1,900 km; 1,200 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
| Complement | 125 |
| Armament |
|
HMS Sappho was a special type of ship called a Fantome-class sloop. A sloop was a smaller warship used by the Royal Navy, the United Kingdom's navy. These ships often had both sails and a steam engine. Sappho was built by a company called Wigram & Sons in Blackwall, London. It was launched, meaning put into the water for the first time, on November 20, 1873.
Contents
Sappho was built in 1872 and finished in February 1874. It was designed to be a fast and useful ship for the Royal Navy. It could travel at about 10 knots, which is around 11.5 miles per hour. The ship had a crew of 125 people.
What was a Sloop-of-War?
Sloops-of-war like Sappho were important ships for the navy. They were used for many jobs, such as patrolling the seas, protecting trade ships, and exploring. They were smaller than big battleships but still carried powerful guns. Sappho had several large guns, including 7-inch and 6.3-inch cannons.
Sappho's Adventures at Sea
In December 1874, Sappho began its first big journey. It sailed to the Australia Station. This was an area where the Royal Navy had ships to protect British interests and help people in Australia and the Pacific Ocean. Commander Noel Stephen Fox Digby was in charge of the ship.
The Tonga Tsunami
In May 1877, Sappho was near the islands of Tonga. A huge wave, called a tsunami, hit the islands. This tsunami was caused by a big earthquake far away in Iquique, a city in South America. The people of Tonga were very surprised by the tsunami. Some even thought Sappho had somehow caused it!
Helping After a Shipwreck
Later in August 1877, Sappho was still under Commander Digby's command. The ship helped search for missing sailors and passengers from another ship called the Queen Bee. This ship had crashed near Farewell Spit in New Zealand.
Sappho successfully found the missing third mate from the Queen Bee. They took him to Nelson. While in Nelson, the crew of Sappho put on concerts. They raised money to help the people who had been shipwrecked.
Returning Home and New Missions
Sappho left the Australia Station in August 1878 and sailed back to England. After some time, the ship started a new mission in 1881. It began serving at the Pacific Station. This was another important area for the Royal Navy, covering the Pacific Ocean. Sappho stayed there until 1886.
End of Service
After its many years of service, Sappho returned to England in 1886. The ship was then "paid off," which means it was taken out of active duty. In December 1887, HMS Sappho was sold for scrap. This means its parts were taken apart and reused.
