PORPOISE HSM 1888
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 7:12 pm
Tuvalu commemorates two expeditions, both subscribed by the Royal Society of London. They visited Funafuti during 1896 and 1897, both for the specific purpose of boring into the coral reef.
The first expedition in HMS PENGUIN under command of Captain Mostyn Field R.N. and the second in HMS PORPOISE under the command of Captain S.C.D. Sturdee R.N., who was accompanied by Mr. Halligan. They employed their time chiefly in dredging and chipping the rough rock between levels of 20 and 200 fathoms on the ocean slope of the reef in order to obtain a geological survey of the Atoll: Drilling by means of a diamond drill, reached a depth of 58’, but unfortunately when the drilling reached a depth of 62’ a serious accident happened to the diamond drill.
Various bore holes from these expeditions are still to be seen in Funafuti today.
5c Features Hurricane beach and coral, this stamp was produced from a photograph taken on one of the expeditions.
20c Features the vessel (HMS PORPOISE) used in dredging operations in the second expedition under command of Captain Sturdee R.N.
30c Features a chart of Funafuti showing line of dredging made to prove Darwin’s theory.
35c Features HMS BEAGLE (1802) and Charles Darwin whose theories on subsidence led to the Royal Society Expeditions. (go to index for her details.)
The HMS PORPOISE built as a torpedo cruiser third class under yard No 229 by J & G Thomson, Clydebank, Scotland for the Royal navy.
02 March 1885 keel laid down.
07 May 1886 launched as the HMS PORPOISE one of the Archer class. She was the eight ship in the Royal Navy that carried that name.
Displacement 1,770 tons standard, 1,950 ton full load, dim. 68.62 x 10.98 x 4.11m. (draught).
Powered by two 2-cyl. horizontal direct-acting compound expansion steam engines, 3,500 ihp, twin shafts speed maximum 16.5 knots.
Bunker capacity 475 tons coal.
Range by a speed of 10 knots, 7,000 mile.
Armament: 6 – 6 inch, 8 – 3pdr. QF guns and 2 MG. One light gun. 5 torpedo tubes.
Crew 170.
12 February 1888 commissioned, building cost about £70,000.
After completing she went to the China Station until 1897.
December 1897 arrived at the Australian Station, and mainly used for patrols and cruises with the Australian squadron.
Early 1899 took part together with HMS ROYALIST and HMS TAURANGA in operations at Samoa where fighting had broken out between rival native factions.
June 1901 she left the Australian Squadron and returned to the U.K.
Between 1902 and 1903 under refit in Sheerness.
After her refit sailed for the East Indies station.
10 February 1905 sold at Bombay and broken up in Bombay.
Tuvalu 1977 20c sg79, scott55
Source: Tuvalu Post. Ships on the Australia Station by John Bastock. Some internet sites. Wikipedia.
The first expedition in HMS PENGUIN under command of Captain Mostyn Field R.N. and the second in HMS PORPOISE under the command of Captain S.C.D. Sturdee R.N., who was accompanied by Mr. Halligan. They employed their time chiefly in dredging and chipping the rough rock between levels of 20 and 200 fathoms on the ocean slope of the reef in order to obtain a geological survey of the Atoll: Drilling by means of a diamond drill, reached a depth of 58’, but unfortunately when the drilling reached a depth of 62’ a serious accident happened to the diamond drill.
Various bore holes from these expeditions are still to be seen in Funafuti today.
5c Features Hurricane beach and coral, this stamp was produced from a photograph taken on one of the expeditions.
20c Features the vessel (HMS PORPOISE) used in dredging operations in the second expedition under command of Captain Sturdee R.N.
30c Features a chart of Funafuti showing line of dredging made to prove Darwin’s theory.
35c Features HMS BEAGLE (1802) and Charles Darwin whose theories on subsidence led to the Royal Society Expeditions. (go to index for her details.)
The HMS PORPOISE built as a torpedo cruiser third class under yard No 229 by J & G Thomson, Clydebank, Scotland for the Royal navy.
02 March 1885 keel laid down.
07 May 1886 launched as the HMS PORPOISE one of the Archer class. She was the eight ship in the Royal Navy that carried that name.
Displacement 1,770 tons standard, 1,950 ton full load, dim. 68.62 x 10.98 x 4.11m. (draught).
Powered by two 2-cyl. horizontal direct-acting compound expansion steam engines, 3,500 ihp, twin shafts speed maximum 16.5 knots.
Bunker capacity 475 tons coal.
Range by a speed of 10 knots, 7,000 mile.
Armament: 6 – 6 inch, 8 – 3pdr. QF guns and 2 MG. One light gun. 5 torpedo tubes.
Crew 170.
12 February 1888 commissioned, building cost about £70,000.
After completing she went to the China Station until 1897.
December 1897 arrived at the Australian Station, and mainly used for patrols and cruises with the Australian squadron.
Early 1899 took part together with HMS ROYALIST and HMS TAURANGA in operations at Samoa where fighting had broken out between rival native factions.
June 1901 she left the Australian Squadron and returned to the U.K.
Between 1902 and 1903 under refit in Sheerness.
After her refit sailed for the East Indies station.
10 February 1905 sold at Bombay and broken up in Bombay.
Tuvalu 1977 20c sg79, scott55
Source: Tuvalu Post. Ships on the Australia Station by John Bastock. Some internet sites. Wikipedia.