HMS ''Melampus'' was an

protected cruiser Protected cruisers, a type of cruiser of the late 19th century, took their name from the armored deck, which protected vital machine-spaces from fragments released by explosive shells. Protected cruisers notably lacked a belt of armour alon ...

of the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

which served from 1890 to 1910.

History

In 1890, building by the Naval Construction and Armaments Co, later known as Vickers, commenced. ''Melampus'' was originally ordered and built for the Greek navy. In 1891, when

Prince George of Wales Prince George of Wales (George Alexander Louis; born 22 July 2013) is a member of the British royal family. He is the eldest child of William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales. George is the eldest grandchild of King Charl ...

(the future King George V) was promoted to commander, he assumed nominal command of ''Melampus''. He relinquished his post in January 1892, on the death of his brother

Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale (Albert Victor Christian Edward; 8 January 1864 – 14 January 1892) was the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales (later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra). From the time of his ...

. On 5 July 1892, in Portsmouth, ''Melampus'' carried out trials of her machinery and other equipment, following which she swung her compasses at Spithead. She later departed on 7 July for Plymouth and Falmouth. On 26 June 1897, she was present at the Naval Review at Spithead in celebration of the

Diamond Jubilee A diamond jubilee celebrates the 60th anniversary of a significant event related to a person (e.g. accession to the throne or wedding, among others) or the 60th anniversary of an institution's founding. The term is also used for 75th annivers ...

. On 16 January 1901, she accidentally grounded . She took part in the fleet review held at

Spithead Spithead is an eastern area of the Solent and a roadstead for vessels off Gilkicker Point in Hampshire, England. It is protected from all winds except those from the southeast, with the Isle of Wight lying to the south-west. Spithead and the ch ...

on 16 August 1902 for the

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of King

Edward VII Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 22 January 1901 until Death and state funeral of Edward VII, his death in 1910. The second child ...

, and later that month was off Ireland where she received the Japanese cruisers and to Cork. In 1903 ''Melampus'' was withdrawn as

guard ship A guard ship is a warship assigned as a stationary guard in a port or harbour, as opposed to a coastal patrol boat, which serves its protective role at sea. Royal Navy In the Royal Navy of the eighteenth century, peacetime guard ships were usual ...

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in Ireland. On 12 July 1910, ''Melampus'' was sold for scrap for £9,000.

References

Publications

External links

HMS ''Melampus''
, Index of 19th-century naval vessels

Apollo-class cruisers Ships built in Barrow-in-Furness 1890 ships World War I cruisers of the United Kingdom {{UK-mil-ship-stub