HMS ''Spartiate'' was a ship of the

protected cruiser Protected cruisers, a type of naval cruiser of the late-19th century, gained their description because an armoured deck offered protection for vital machine-spaces from fragments caused by shells exploding above them. Protected cruisers re ...

s in the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...

. She was built at

Pembroke Dock Pembroke Dock ( cy, Doc Penfro) is a town and a community in Pembrokeshire, South West Wales, northwest of Pembroke on the banks of the River Cleddau. Originally Paterchurch, a small fishing village, Pembroke Dock town expanded rapidly following ...

and launched on 27 October 1898. She was a stokers' training ship in 1914 and was renamed ''Fisgard'' in June 1915. She survived the First World War and was sold in July 1932. She returned to Pembroke to be broken up.

Construction

''Spartiate'' was laid down at

Pembroke Dockyard Pembroke Dockyard, originally called Pater Yard, is a former Royal Navy Dockyard in Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, Wales. History It was founded in 1814, although not formally authorized until the Prince Regent signed the necessary Order in Cou ...

, and launched on 27 October 1898, when she was christened by Mrs. Burges Watson, wife of Captain

Burges Watson Rear Admiral Burges Watson, (24 September 1846 – 21 September 1902)"Watson, Rear-Adm. Burges, (24 Sept. 1846–21 Sept. 1902)." WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. Oxford University Press. was a Royal Navy officer who became Admiral Superintendent, Malta ...

, Captain Superintendent of the yard. She was delivered at

Portsmouth Portsmouth ( ) is a port and city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. The city of Portsmouth has been a unitary authority since 1 April 1997 and is administered by Portsmouth City Council. Portsmouth is the most dens ...

from Pembroke dockyard in April, 1900, and in the following winter went on her trials. Sand in the condensers led to friction in her machinery, and her engines had to be re-constructed. New trials the following year ended with her condenser tubes leaking so badly they had to be replaced with new ones before she could be ready. A third attempt at trials in April 1902 was also abandoned, but she finally completed her trials in July that year, and was ready for sea in March 1903.

Service history

''Spartiate'' was commissioned in 1903 for service in home waters. The previous year she had been mentioned as a possible flagship for the

Australia Station The Australia Station was the British, and later Australian, naval command responsible for the waters around the Australian continent.Dennis et al. 2008, p.53. Australia Station was under the command of the Commander-in-Chief, Australia Station, ...

, but this never happened (possibly due to the delay in her trials).

Notes

References

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External links

Diadem class at worldwar1.co.uk
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spartiate (1898) Diadem-class cruisers Ships built in Pembroke Dock 1898 ships World War I cruisers of the United Kingdom