HMS Carysfort (1878)
HMS Carysfort was a 19th century Comus-class corvette of the Royal Navy, launched in 1878 and completed in 1880.[1] [2] [3] Designed for long distance cruising under both steam and sail, she combined a steel hull and compound steam machinery with the full rig of a traditional sailing warship.[2] After an initial voyage around the world with the Detached Squadron, Carysfort served principally with the Mediterranean Fleet. Her crew took part in the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882 and the campaigns around Suakin during the Mahdist War in 1884 and 1885.[3] [4]
Design and construction
[edit ]The Comus class was designed by the Royal Navy's Director of Naval Construction, Nathaniel Barnaby, for service on distant naval stations where access to coal supplies could be limited. The ships therefore retained a substantial sailing rig, while their metal hulls, compound engines and protected machinery spaces represented the increasing adoption of steam power and armour in smaller Royal Navy cruisers.[2] Carysfort was laid down at the yard of John Elder & Co. at Govan on 17 August 1876 and launched on 26 September 1878. She was completed on 15 September 1880 and commissioned at Sheerness Dockyard under Captain Henry Frederick Stephenson.[2] [1]
The ship displaced about 2,380 long tons (2,418 t) and measured 225 ft (68.6 m) long, with a beam of approximately 44 ft 6 in (13.6 m). Her three cylinder compound engine drove a single screw and developed about 2,590 ihp (1,931 kW), giving a speed of approximately 13 kn (24 km/h; 15 mph). Her machinery was protected by a 1.5 in (38 mm) armoured deck.[2] [3] As completed, Carysfort carried two 7 inch muzzle loading rifles and twelve RML 64-pounder 64 cwt gun muzzle loading rifles, together with lighter weapons, Nordenfelt guns and equipment for launching torpedoes. Her armament was modified during her career as naval artillery developed and the class was rearmed.[2]
Service history
[edit ]Detached squadron
[edit ]In October 1880, Carysfort joined the 'Detached Squadron' for a circumnavigation voyage around the world.[3] The squadron sailed by way of Vigo, Madeira and Saint Vincent before visiting Montevideo, the Falkland Islands and Cape Town. It then continued to Australia, where calls were made at Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.[3] A diary kept by rating William Wheeler aboard the ship documents this first commission between 1880 and 1882.[5] The squadron left Australia in August 1881 and proceeded to Fiji, Japan and ports on the Chinese coast, reaching Hong Kong shortly before Christmas. Carysfort returned westwards through Singapore and the Sunda Strait, calling again at Cape Town before continuing through the Atlantic towards Gibraltar.[3]
Egypt
[edit ]While at Gibraltar in July 1882, Carysfort under command of Henry Stephenson was diverted from her intended return to Britain and ordered to join British forces operating in Egypt.[6] She reached Alexandria on 20 July, nine days after the Bombardment of Alexandria, and subsequently carried ammunition to Royal Navy ships at Port Said before proceeding to Ismailia.[3]
On 20 August, sailors and Royal Marines from Carysfort, accompanied by a field gun and a Gatling gun, landed with men from HMSNorthumberland and occupied Ismailia.[3] The ship provided supporting fire and later directed her 64 pounder guns against the railway station at Nefiche. Two companies from the ship occupied Nefiche on the following day.[3]
A further detachment of 37 men and a Gatling gun joined the Naval Brigade attached to General Sir Garnet Wolseley's army.[3] The party advanced beside the Sweet Water Canal and was present at the Battle of Tel el-Kebir on 13 September 1882.[3] Carysfort remained in Egyptian waters until January 1883, when she sailed for Malta.[3]
The crew present were subsequently awarded the Egypt Medal and relevant clasps.[3]
Sudan
[edit ]Carysfort subsequently served with the Mediterranean Fleet, normally operating from Malta and visiting ports in the eastern Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic. In February 1884 she was ordered to Suakin on the Red Sea coast of Sudan, where British forces were campaigning against the army of Osman Digna.[4] The ship arrived at Suakin on 10 February and repeatedly landed sailors and Royal Marines for service ashore. Her guns shelled Mahdist positions outside the town, while members of her crew served with Gatling gun detachments in the Naval Brigade. Men from Carysfort fought at the Battle of El Teb on 29 February and at the Battle of Tamai on 13 March. Lieutenant Royds of the ship was wounded at El Teb and later died from his injuries.[4]
After returning temporarily to Malta, Carysfort was again sent to Suakin in August 1884. She provided landing parties, guarded the settlement and joined other vessels in shelling Mahdist forces approaching its defensive perimeter. Illness caused by the intense heat, sand and dust affected a substantial proportion of her complement before she left Suakin in November.[4] The ship returned to Suakin on 1 March 1885 as part of the renewed British expedition. A twelve man machine gun detachment from Carysfort fought at the Battle of Tofrek on 22 March. For most of the campaign, however, her crew were employed in guarding the port, handling supplies, condensing water and providing working parties ashore. She left Suakin for the final time on 7 August 1885 and returned to Malta in November.[4]
Later service and disposal
[edit ]Carysfort resumed routine Mediterranean service and took part in the international naval blockade of Greece in 1886. She continued to cruise in the Aegean, Adriatic and eastern Mediterranean and was reclassified as a third class cruiser in 1888.[4] [2] On 1 January 1891, Carysfort departed the Mediterranean for Britain. She arrived at Devonport on 12 February and was placed in the Reserve Fleet. By this time, rapid developments in naval construction and armament had made the steam and sail corvettes obsolete and she was listed for sale in Devon.[7] Carysfort remained in reserve until December 1899, when she was sold to King of Garston for breaking up.[4]
References
[edit ]- 1 2 Davis, Peter. "HMS Carysfort (1878)". William Loney RN Background. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Lyon, David; Winfield, Rif (2004). The Sail & Steam Navy List: All the Ships of the Royal Navy 1815–1889. London: Chatham Publishing. p. 272. ISBN 978-1-86176-032-6.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Duckers, Peter. "HMS Carysfort – a Victorian Corvette at War 1882–85, Part I: to 1883". DCM Medals. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Duckers, Peter. "HMS Carysfort – a Victorian Corvette at War 1882–85, Part II: 1883–85". DCM Medals. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ "Diary of William Wheeler, HMS CARYSFORT, 1880–1882". Royal Museums Greenwich. JOD/110. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ Debrett's illustrated baronetage and knightage (and companionage) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. 1892. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ Whitaker's Naval and Military Directory and Indian Army List. J. Whitaker & Sons. 1900. p. 631. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
External links
[edit ]- Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to HMS Carysfort (ship, 1878) at Wikimedia Commons
