The Pearl-class cruiser was a third-class protected cruiser designed by Sir William White for the Royal Navy. Nine ships were built to this design, five of which were paid for by Australia under the terms of the Imperial Defence Act of 1887 to serve in Australian waters.

HMS Tauranga in Tasmania circa. 1902
Class overview
NamePearl
Operators
Preceded byBarham class
Succeeded byApollo class
Built1888–1890
In commission1890 - 1947
Completed9
Retired9
General characteristics
TypeThird-class cruiser
Displacement2,575 tons
Length
  • 278 ft (84.7 m) oa
  • 256 ft (78.0 m) pp[1]
Beam41 ft (12.5 m)[1]
Draught15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)
Installed power7,500 ihp on forced draught
Propulsion
  • 2 × 3-cylinder triple-expansion steam engines
  • 4 × double-ended cylindrical boilers
  • 2 screws[1]
Speed19 kn (35 km/h; 22 mph)
Complement217
Armament

Design

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Pearl-class ships displaced 2,575 tons and were capable of 19 knots (35.2 km/h).

 
HMS Pallas at Quebec, Quebec in 1901
 
Right elevation, deck plan and hull section as depicted in Brassey's Naval Annual 1897

Ships

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Name Launched Fate
Pallas 1890 Sold for scrap in 1906.
Pandora 1889 Renamed HMS Katoomba. Sold for scrap in 1906.
Pearl 1890 Sold for scrap in 1906.
Pelorus 1889 Renamed HMS Mildura. Sold for scrap in 1906.
Persian 1890 Renamed HMS Wallaroo and then HMS Wallington. Changed back to original in 1920 before being sold for scrap.
Philomel 1890 Transferred to New Zealand Navy in 1914. Sold on 17 January 1947. Scuttled 6 August 1949.
Phoebe 1890 Sold for scrap in 1906.
Phoenix 1889 Renamed HMS Tauranga. Sold for scrap in 1906.
Psyche 1889 Renamed HMS Ringarooma. Sold for scrap in 1906.
 
HMS Pearl

Citations

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  1. ^ a b c Winfield (2004) p.276

References

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  • Winfield, R.; Lyon, D. (2004). The Sail and Steam Navy List: All the Ships of the Royal Navy 1815–1889. London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-032-6. OCLC 52620555.
  • Battleships-cruisers.co.uk: Pearl-class
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