Built as a cruiser under yard No 398 by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Govan for the Royal Navy.
23 November 1896 laid down.
24 January 1898 launched as the HMS ARGONAUT one of the Diadem class.
Displacement 11,000 tons, dim. 140.97 x 21 x 7.77m. (draught).
Powered by two sets triple expansion steam engines, 18,000 hp. maximum, twin shafts, speed 20.5 knots.
Armament: 16 – QF 6 inch guns, 14 – QF 12 pdr. guns, 3 – QF 3 pdr. guns and 2 – 18 inch torpedo tubes. She was fitted later out as a minelayer with 4 – 6 inch and 1 – 12 pdr. gun. Could then carry 354 mines.
Crew 760.
19 April 1900 completed.
HMS ARGONAUT was a ship of the Diadem-class of protected cruiser in the British Royal Navy. She was built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan and launched on 24 January 1898.
Service history
She was commissioned at Chatham, Kent in 1900 for service on the China Station from 1900-1904. During this time, the Commanding Officer, Captain George H Cherry RN, issued some 600 punishment warrants, gaining a reputation as a stern disciplinarian. As a consequence, the ship's officers ordered medals to be struck by Gamages of London as reward and mementos of their service under such a captain: on the obverse it read "Argonaut China 1900-1904" and showed a foul anchor (for the Royal Navy), a fleece (for Argonaut) and a dragon (for China); on the reverse are a cherry tree and a representation of the officers who survived the commission. An honorary "Cherry Medal" was presented to King George VI; many others were lost with ships sunk in the First World War.
From June to September 1906, ARGONAUT was refitted for special service and in October, joined the Home Fleet. She was paid off in February 1911 and recommissioned February 1912, joining the 3rd Fleet. The cruiser was paid off again in April 1914.
During the First World War ARGONAUT was part of the 9th Cruiser Squadron, operating in the Atlantic. The squadron was stationed off Cape Finisterre from August 1914 to July 1915. While a part of this unit, ARGONAUT captured the German merchant ship GRAECIA. In 1915 she was converted to a hospital ship at Portsmouth and in 1918, to an accommodation ship. She was sold to Ward of Milford Haven on 18 May 1920 and arrived there for breaking up on 4 September 1921.
Guyana 2015 $80 sg?, scott?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Argonaut_(1898)