HMS BULLFINCH - 1898

[northeast]

1898, 306 tons displacement
Earle's Shipbuilding, Hull (413) for the Admiralty
Classed a a 'torpedo boat destroyer'
Broken up at Sunderland 06/1919

[magoonigal]

'C' Class 30 Knotter from the 1894-1901 Progamme. Earle's also built the DOVE.

LBP 210 ft 3 ins. Breadth 20ft 6ins. Depth 12ft 1in. Displacement 345 Tons. Launched 10th February 1898.

Guns. 1 x 12 pdr. QF. 12 cwt on P.I. Mounting. 100 Rounds. 88 Cast steel Common shell. 12 Forged Steel Shrapnel.
5 x 6 pdr. 8 cwt on light recoil mounting. 60 Rounds per Gun.
2 x Single Torpedo Tubes. 2 x 18 in Torpedoes with another 2 in the Depot Stores.

Twin Screw Triple Expansion.
Coal 80 to 95 Tons. Radius of action 1350 to 1500 N.M. at 11 kts.

During a three hour trial Bullfinch manged 29.46 kts at 394 RPM. Second slowest in the Class. Dove was the slowest at 29.398 kts. Fastest was Memaid at 30.827 kts. Dove and Bullfinch failed to maintain Contract Speed.

Cost ready for sea with full outfit of ammunition and torpedoes averaged around £60,000. Actual price paid for Bullfinch was £52,589.

During the 1899 Manoeuvres a serious explosion in Bullfinch killed 13 men. Bilge Keels were fitted to reduce rolling and funnels were raised to obviate the danger and discomfort of smoke and cinders.

Lubrication was by oil can and it was a common sight to see hoses playing around Crankshafts to keep the bearings cool.
With oil and water flying about many Engineers always wore oilskins when on duty.