H.M.S. Phoenix (1879)

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H.M.S. Phoenix (1879)
Builder: Devonport Royal Dockyard[1]
Launched: 16 Sep, 1879[2]
Wrecked: 12 Sep, 1882[3]
H.M.S. Phoenix was one of nine Doterel Class composite screw sloops completed for the Royal Navy.

Service

In September 1882, Phoenix was part of a Canadian-based squadron. On 12 September, she left Gaspé in company with Northampton at dawn. The ships parted company and Phoenix busied herself with a steam trial and then proceeded under sail power to preserve coal. At 10pm, she ran aground on Prince Edward Island's East Point despite navigating with a beacon in sight. She lost her rudder and compartments flooded. Boats could not be lowered and so rafts were constructed as the situation was examined the next day. Finally, it was determined that she was not going anywhere, and the crew went ashore on the 14th in rafts. A Court of Enquiry severely reprimanded Commander Grenfell for not taking soundings or taking steps to determine the range to the East Point beacon. The navigating officer and the officer of the watch were also disciplined.[4]

Captains

See Also

Footnotes

  1. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 57.
  2. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 57.
  3. Hepper. British Warship Losses in the Ironclad Era: 1860-1919. p. 12.
  4. Hepper. British Warship Losses in the Ironclad Era: 1860-1919. p. 12.
  5. The Navy List. (December, 1881). p. 231.
  6. Hepper. British Warship Losses in the Ironclad Era: 1860-1919. p. 12.

Bibliography


Doterel Class Composite Screw Sloop
Doterel Dragon Espiegle Gannet Kingfisher
  Miranda Mutine Pegasus Phoenix