HMS Proserpine

HMS Proserpine was a Pelorus class third class cruiser that served in the Channel, at Gibraltar, in the Suez Canal and in support of the British intervention in Mesopotamia during the First World War. At the start of the war, the Proserpine was the light cruiser attached to the Eighth Battle Squadron of the Channel Fleet, but

HMS Proserpine from the left
HMS Proserpine from the left

on 7 August she was in dockyard hands. She was back at sea by the end of the month, taking part in the operation that transported three Marine battalions to Ostend. She was then sent out to form part of the Gibraltar patrol, before in November she was ordered to Egypt. This was part of a complicated movement of ships designed to allow the cruisers Black Prince and Warrior to join the Grand Fleet.  

Once in Egypt she formed part of the force defending the Suez Canal. In January 1915 she spent a period patrolling the coast south of Alexandretta, before being relieved by the Philomel. By April 1915 the demands of the Dardanelles offensive meant that the Proserpine was the only British warship in the Suez Canal. Later in 1915 she was relieved from that duty, and sent to support the British intervention in Mesopotamia, remaining at the head of the Gulf until the end of the war.


Displacement (loaded)

2,135t

Top Speed

18.5kts natural draft
20kts forced draft

Armour – deck

1.5in-2in

 - gunshields

0.25in

 - conning tower

3in

Length

313ft 6in

Armaments

Eight 4in quick firing guns
Eight 3pdr quick firing guns
Three machine guns
Two 18in above water torpedo tubes

Crew complement

224

Launched

5 December 1896

Completed

1899

Captains

Commander G. C. Hardy

Sold for break up

1919

Books on the First World War | Subject Index: First World War

How to cite this article: Rickard, J (13 November 2007), HMS Proserpine , http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_HMS_Proserpine.html

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