HMS Philomel (1890)

During the early stages of the First World War she performed convoy escort duties and then carried out operations in the Mediterranean against the Turks.Propulsion was through 3-cylinder triple-expansion steam engines, driving two shafts, which produced a total of 7,500 indicated horsepower (5,600 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph).[3] The following year, Philomel was transferred to the West Africa component of the Cape of Good Hope Station and participated in the Benin Expedition.This was in response to the desire of the New Zealand Minister of Defence at the time, James Allen, who wanted to establish a local naval force which would co-operate with the fledgling Royal Australian Navy.[1] Philomel was on a short shakedown voyage to Picton on 30 July 1914, prior to taking on its first complement of New Zealand cadets, when it was recalled to Wellington Harbour in anticipation of the outbreak of war.Largely crewed by personnel from the Royal Navy, volunteers were brought on board to bring the ship up to full strength and after stocking up with supplies, she departed for Auckland to await further instructions.[9] By now the main body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, formed for service overseas, were ready to embark from Wellington on a convoy for the Middle East.Then, along with Pyramus, she sailed northeastwards for Singapore in search of the German cruiser SMS Emden, which was then carrying out raids in the Indian Ocean.[11] On 8 February she landed an armed party in Southern Turkey where a large force of Turkish soldiers were encountered, resulting in three seamen being killed and three wounded.She goes as many good ships have gone before her, but when HMNZS Philomel's colours are hauled down at sunset this evening, the tradition which she has established during her long career will live on in the depot to which she has given her name.[1] Her crest is mounted to the gate of the Devonport Naval Base and her builders plate is on display in the William Sanders building which serves as the administrative Headquarters of the shore establishment.
Captain P. Hall-Thompson, who commanded HMS Philomel for most of the First World War
Slaves rescued by HMS 'Philomel', April 1893, Many of the children received by the Universities Mission.
HMS PhilomelRoyal New Zealand NavyCoromandelPearl-classcruiserlong tonsQF 4.7-inch (120 mm) guns3-pounder (1.4 kg)torpedo tubesthat nameRoyal NavycommissioningCape of Good Hope StationMediterranean FleetNew ZealandFirst World WarconvoyRed SeaPersian Gulfdepot shipWellington HarbourminesweepersDevonport Naval BaseAucklandtraining shipDecommissionedscuttledHM Naval DockyardDevonport, PlymouthPhilomelaPandion IKing of Athensoverall lengthdraughtdisplacedQF 4.7-inch (120 mm)3-poundersmachine gunsCaptainAnglo-Zanzibar WarSultan of ZanzibarHMS St GeorgeHHS GlasgowBenin ExpeditionSecond Boer WarBattle of Colensopaid offFirth of ForthNorth SeaHMS Hampshireearthquake at MessinaEast Indies StationSomalilandAdmiraltyNew Zealand Naval ForcesJames AllenRoyal Australian NavyHMAS PsycheHMAS PyramusPelorus-class cruisersPercival Hall-ThompsonPictonoccupyGerman SamoaGermanSMS ScharnhorstSMS GneisenauKingdom of TongaNew Zealand Expeditionary ForceMiddle EastSMS EmdenIndian OceanChristmas IslandHMAS SydneyPort SaidTurkeyBombayNew Zealand Division of the Royal Navytraining baseCommanderAugustus AgarHMNZS PhilomelCuvier IslandOfficial History of New Zealand's Effort in the Great WarMcGibbon, IanOfficial History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45Pearl-class cruisersPandoraKatoombaPhoenixTaurangaPelorusMilduraPsycheRingaroomaPersianWallarooWallingtonPallasPhoebeBarham classApollo classShipwrecksTaipingPrentonKatowiceGuararemaGalatéeMagdalenaNorjervEmpire ConynghamPrinses AstridSwan PointUSS CochinoChaksangNoronicUS FWS ScoterU-1105ARA FournierUSS ChehalisHMS ImplacableEmpire FlamingoQueen MaryHMS AmethystgroundingHMS ConsortHMS Black SwanHMS LondonROCS Yong XingLiberté