Challenger-class cruiser


The Challenger-class cruisers were a pair of second-class protected cruisers built for the Royal Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. One ship,, was later transferred to the Royal Australian Navy.

Design and description

The Challenger-class cruisers were essentially repeats of the previous Highflyer class, albeit with more powerful propulsion machinery. They were designed to displace. The ships had a length between perpendiculars of, a beam of and a draught of. Their crew consisted of 490 officers and other ranks.
The ships were powered by two 4-cylinder triple-expansion steam engines, each driving one shaft, using steam provided by 18 Babcock & [Wilcox boiler|Babcock & Wilcox] or Dürr water-tube boilers. These boilers were heavier and bulkier, but more powerful than the Belleville boilers used in the Highflyer class. Sir William White, Director of Naval Construction, was uncertain if the extra power would offset the weight sufficiently to reach and rated the ships at. The boilers were designed to produce enough steam to allow the engines to reach. The ships easily exceeded their designed power and speeds during their sea trials. They carried a maximum of of coal.
The main armament of the Challenger class consisted of 11 quick-firing (QF) QF 6 inch [Mk I - III naval gun| Mk I guns]. One gun was mounted on the forecastle and two others were positioned on the quarterdeck. The remaining eight guns were placed port and starboard amidships. They had a maximum range of approximately with their shells. Eight QF [12 pounder 12 cwt naval gun|QF 12-pounder 12 cwt guns] were fitted for defence against torpedo boats. One additional 12-pounder 8 cwt gun could be dismounted for service ashore. They also carried six 3-pounder Hotchkiss|3-pounder] Hotchkiss guns and two submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.
The ships' protective deck armour ranged in thickness from. The engine hatches were protected by of armour. The main guns were fitted with 3-inch gun shields and the conning tower had armour 6 inches thick.

Ships