HMS Pearl
Apolo-class
Part of the Pearl-class consisting of the Pearl, Pandora, Pallas, Pelorus, Persian, Philomel, Phoebe, Phoenix and Psyche, preceded by the Barham-class and succeeded by the Apollo-class. Designed by Sir William White (2 February 1845 Plymouth, Devon, England-27 February 1913 London, England). Laid down as the Pandora by Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick, Tyne and Wear, England on 15 August 1888, launched on 2 April 1890, renamed Katoomba when she became flagship of the Auxiliary Squadron of the Australia Station, departed from this station on 16 January 1906 and sold for 8.500 pound sterling on 10 July 1906 to be broken up at Morecambe, England.
Displacement 2,575 tons and as dimensions 78,0 (between perpendiculars)-84,7 (over all) x 12,5 x 4,72 metres or 256-278 x 41 x 15.6 feet. The machinery consisted of 2-3 cylinder triple expansion steam engines and 4 double-ended cylindrical boilers supplying via 2 screws 4.000 (natural draught)-7.500 ihp (forced draught) allowing a speed of 17 (natural draught)-19 (forced draught) knots. Their crew numbered 210-217 men. Armament consisted of 8x1-12cm/4.7” quick firing guns, 8x1-4,7cm/3pd quick firing guns and 4-35,6cm/14” torpedo tubes. The armour consisted of a 2,5/1”-5,1cm/2” thick deck, 5,15cm/2” thick gun shields and the conning tower protected by 7,6cm/3”.
