HMS Cyclops (1871)

History of the HMS Cyclops (1871)

The Cyclops class served in the Royal Navy as a coastal defence vessel in the 1870s and was well equipped and well equipped. The class is led by HMS Cyclops itself and is reinforced by three sister ships: HMS Gorgon, HMS Hecate and HMS Hydra.

Built to the same construction standards, the Gruppe was classed as a "chest guard", often described as a solid floating battery of batteries, centralizing the superstructure and armament at the expense of the less-than-ideal maneuverability amidships. Still, they were strong and well-equipped for their era.

The class was under construction from 1870 to 1877 and was in contract service from 1874 until its complete abandonment in 1901. Each of the ships survived their respective tenures, eventually being replaced by newer Conquistador-class ironclads.

In the Cyclops design, the hull structure is positioned amidships, supported by two large towers. A smoke funnel is located amidships and the mast is directly aft. The bridge section rises above the structure from all sides. The freeboard has a flat design for increased speed.

Displacement reached 3,540 tons (short) and measurements included a barrel length of 225 feet, a beam of 45 feet and a draft of 16.2 feet.

Installation power comes from 2 x horizontal direct-acting steam engines, developing between 1,475hp and 1,710hp, while driving 2 x axles. The warship can travel at 11 knots, and supplies on board allow it to reach a range of 3,000 nautical miles (3,500 mi) while cruising at close to 10 knots.

There are 156 on board, armament is limited to 4 x 10" (254 mm) main guns with muzzle-loading and rifled main guns mounted in two transverse twin gun turrets. Armor protection up to 8" belt, along 1.5" deck, 9" superstructure and conning tower, 10" turret.

The HMS Cyclecops were not completed until 1877, although she was put at sea in 1871 (actually the Gorgon and Hydra sisters received service status before her). Back in 1887, as work continued until 1889, the ships of the class underwent a complete overhaul/rebuild, as these ships never really excelled in their ironclad role. During her seafaring career, Cyclops was part of the Special Service Squadron until 1901 before being assigned to the Fleet Reserve after 1889.

The entire class was sold as scrap in 1903, marking the official end of the group.

Specification

BASICS

Year of Service

1871

Origins

UK

Status

stop service

Destroyed, scrapped.

supplement

156

staff

Class information

Class

Cyclops

Class Size

4

ships

Class

HMS Cyclops; HMS Gorgo; Hecate; HMS Hydra

Operators

UK

Roles

Offshore Operations

Nearshore activities in support of Allied activities.

Distinctive Features

Flatten

The hull of the vessel is designed to operate in coastal/shallow water environments.

Main Tower

The main armament is mounted in the main turret arrangement providing enhanced protection.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

68.0 feet

20.73m

Ray

14. 0 feet

4.27m

Draft

5. 0 feet

1.52m

Shift

3,480 t

Power and Performance

Installed Power:

2 x inverted 4 cylinder horizontal direct steam engines rated up to 1,710hp driving 2 x axles.

Surface Velocity

11. 0 nodes

(12.7 km/h)

Area

3,240nm

(3,728 miles | 6,000 kilometers)

Armament

4 x 10" (254 mm) main guns, muzzle-loading and rifled, in two twin gun turrets near the midship.

Aircraft

None.