HMS Gorgon was the first ship commissioned of the four Cyclops-class breastwork monitors built for the Royal Navy during the 1870s.

Right elevation plan from Brassey's Naval Annual 1888–1889
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Gorgon
NamesakeGorgon
BuilderPalmers Shipbuilding, Jarrow
Cost£141,254
Laid down5 September 1870
Launched14 October 1871
Completed19 March 1877
CommissionedApril 1872
Out of service1901
Refit1888–89
FateSold for scrap 12 May 1903
General characteristics
Class and typeCyclops-class breastwork monitor
Displacement3,480 long tons (3,540 t)
Length225 ft (68.6 m) (p/p)
Beam45 ft (13.7 m)
Draught16 ft 3 in (5.0 m) (deep load)
Installed power1,709 ihp (1,274 kW)
Propulsion2 shafts, 2 direct-acting steam engines
Speed11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)
Range3,000 nmi (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Complement156
Armament2 × twin 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders
Armour

Design and description

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The Cyclops-class ships were modified versions of the Cerberus class.[1] The ships had a length between perpendiculars of 225 feet (68.6 m), a beam of 45 feet (13.7 m), and a draught of 16 feet 3 inches (4.95 m) at deep load. They displaced 3,480 long tons (3,540 t). Their crew consisted of 156 officers and men.[2] Gorgon had two 4-cylinder horizontal direct-acting steam engine, each driving a single propeller shaft. The engines produced a total of 1,670 indicated horsepower (1,250 kW) during the ship's sea trials which gave her a maximum speed of 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph). They carried 250 long tons (250 t) of coal,[3] enough to steam 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).[4]

The ships mounted four 10-inch rifled muzzle-loading guns in twin-gun turrets fore and aft of the superstructure. The guns could fire both solid shot and explosive shells.[5] They were mounted on carriages that used hydraulic jacks to elevate and depress the guns.[1]

The Cyclops class had a complete waterline belt of wrought iron that was 8 inches (203 mm) thick amidships and thinned to 6 inches (152 mm) at the ends. The superstructure and conning tower was fully armoured, the reason it was called a breastwork, with 8–9 inches (203–229 mm) of wrought iron. The gun turrets had 10 inches on their faces and 9 inches on the sides and rear. All of the vertical armour was backed by 9–11 inches (229–279 mm) of teak. The decks were 1.5 inches (38.1 mm) thick.[6]

Construction and career

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Gorgon featured at the Naval Review at Spithead in 1878. The Graphic

Together with her sister ships, the Cyclops and the Hecate, she was placed on the non-effective list of ships in January 1902.[7] She was sold for scrap the following year.

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Parkes, p. 212
  2. ^ Parkes, p. 213
  3. ^ Ballard, pp. 246–49
  4. ^ Silverstone, p. 169
  5. ^ Gardiner, p. 6
  6. ^ Parkes, pp. 213–14
  7. ^ "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times. No. 36657. London. 6 January 1902. p. 8.

References

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