HMS ''Decoy'' was an composite gunboat of the Royal Navy, built at Pembroke Dockyard and launched on 12 October 1871. She served in both the Third Anglo-Ashanti wars, Anglo-Ashanti War in 1873 and the Bombardment of Alexandria in 1882. She rapidly became obsolete and was sold in 1885.

Design and construction

Designed by Edward James Reed, Sir Edward Reed, Director of Naval Construction, Chief Constructor of the Royal Navy, the ''Ariel''-class gunboats were the first gunboats of composite construction. She was armed with two 64-pounder (56 cwt) muzzle-loading rifles and two 20-pounder Armstrong breech loaders. All four guns were mounted on traversing carriages. All the ships of the class carried a three-masted barquentine rig.

Operational service

''Decoy'' was deployed off the coast of West Africa to support the operations on the Gold Coast. She deployed with and . She also took part in the bombardment of Bootry. In 1882 she formed part of the Naval and Military forces at the Bombardment of Alexandria. ''Argus'', ''Isis'', and blockaded Damietta.''The Graphic'', 7 October 1882, p. 369

Fate

She was sold at Malta in 1885.

References

Publications

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External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Decoy (1871) 1871 ships Ships built in Pembroke Dock Ariel-class gunboats Victorian-era gunboats of the United Kingdom