Built as a single class torpedo boat destroyer at Portsmouth for the Royal Navy.
28 Feb. 1889 Launched under the name HMS BEAGLE.
Displacement 1.170 tons. Dim. 195 x 28 12.6ft. (draught)
Powered by a steam-engine turbine manufactured by Rennie, 2.000 ihp. speed 14.5 knots, twin screws.
Radius 3.000 miles by a speed of 10 knots. Bunker capacity 160 tons.
Armament 8 – 5 inch, 40 ctw. BLR. 8 MG.
Crew 138.
September 1889 completed.
She visited Tristan da Cunha on 19 Nov. 1901 under command of Capt H.V. Elliott. After she anchored on the road she offloaded stores, destined for the island, consisting of various things from grindstones to underwear, petticoats, books, seeds, peppers, tea, flour, etc for a total sum of £ 120.
After the captain got on shore he finds a population of 74 souls, divided into 19 men and 26 women and 29 children, comprised in eighteen families. The Governor Peter W Green is about 94 years and mentally and physically very weak. Among various items of Capt. Elliott’s report read.
The inhabitants are in want of a telescope and a copy of the New International Signal Book. The children schooling is undertaken by Mrs Swain, a widow who has also on Sundays conducts a short service. The Islanders have livestock of about 500 head of cattle, 600 sheep and 50 pigs. They also have five boats. In the event of Peter W.Green’s death a Mr. Samuel Swain, brother of Mrs. Swain, and as the oldest resident of the island would probably be looked upon as a leading man.
Communication with passing vessels has been rather more frequent of late; in the last 12 months about 8 vessels were communicated with.
The HMS BEAGLE sailed again from the island on 21 November.
11 July 1905 sold for breaking up.
Source: Some web-sites. The Sail and Steam Navy List by Lyon and Winfield.
Tristan da Cunha 35p sg?