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HMS Venus was an Eclipse class second class cruiser that served in Home Waters, in Egyptian Waters, on the China Station, and in the East Indies during the First World War. At the start of the war, she was part of the 11th Cruiser Squadron, based in Ireland and guarding the western trade routes. By January 1916 she was in Egyptian waters, before being sent to the China station.
At the start of 1917 she was at Singapore. She was then sent to visit Macassar in case the German raider Wolf was being sent east to arm German merchant ships that were stuck in neutral ports. In March she was guarding the northern end of the Malacca Straits. In November she was at Colombo, while in December she was sent to the Chagos archipelago. Despite all these efforts, the Wolf escaped back to Germany. By the start of 1918, the Venus was part of the East Indies Squadron, briefly serving as its flagship in 1919, before returning to Britain to be paid off.
Displacement (loaded) |
5,600t |
Top Speed |
19.5kts |
Armour – deck |
3in-1.5in |
- gunshields |
3in |
- engine hatch |
6in |
- conning tower |
6in |
Length |
373ft |
Armaments as built |
Five 6in quick firing guns |
Armament after 1905 |
Eleven 6in guns |
Crew complement |
450 |
Launched |
5 September 1895 |
Completed |
9 November 1897 |
Captains |
Captain R. G. D. Dewar |
Sold for break up |
1921 |