HMS Pearl
Apollo-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). Launched by J.&G. Thomson, Glasgow, Scotland on 28 October 1889, renamed Tauranga as part of the Auxiliary Squadron of the Australia Station on 2 April 1890,, reserve 1901-1903, added to the New Zealand division of the Australia Station, departed the Australia Station on 14 December 1904 and sold for 8.500 pound sterling to Thomas Ward to be broken up in July 1906.
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 217 men. Armament consisted of 8x1-12cm/4.7” quick firing guns, 8x1-4,7cm/3pd quick firing guns, 4 machineguns and 2-35,6cm/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”.
