demon1883 Posted 16 May , 2008 Share Posted 16 May , 2008 I am part of a small group who are trying to rescue an ex Royal Navy gunboat from a scrap yard in Portsmouth. It was built by W.G Armstrong, Mitchell co. and launched as H.M.S Handy in 1883. She was sent to the Whale Island gunnery school in 1891 and renamed H.M.S Excellent until 1917 when she was renamed H.M.S Calcutta and then H.M.S Snapper until her disposal in the 1920's to the Dover Harbour Board which turned her into a floating crane, Demon. Does anyone have any information on this vessel? Details of her history, activites during the war, names of crew who served on her would all be most welcome, as well as any pictures. Apparently she was involved in bombarding the Belgian coast during the war, but i'm not sure of the dates. Many thanks in advance. Rob Buckel savethehandy@hotmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ionia Posted 16 May , 2008 Share Posted 16 May , 2008 The EXCELLENT seems to have been ordered into action off Westende during November, 1914 (armed with a 9.2" gun) in bombardments of that area of the coast and again on March 11th 1915. Bacon, in "The Dover Patrol" has her, under Commander Edward McC. W. Lawrie, bombarding the Westende Batteries on 7th September, 1915. These activities are all covered in "Naval Operations". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kath Posted 16 May , 2008 Share Posted 16 May , 2008 National Historic Ships: http://nationalhistoricships.org.uk/index....tVessel/vref/16 Lord Chatfield - COMMANDER HMS EXCELLENT 1906 - 1909 http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/ot...t/chatfield.htm Kath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 16 May , 2008 Share Posted 16 May , 2008 Dittmar and Colledge British Warships 1914 -1919 gives - HMS EXCELLENT, ex HANDY, 508 tons launched 1883, - Gunnery School Portsmouth - became Gunboat at Dover 1914 - 1915, disarmed 10/1916. became HMS CALCUTTA 12/1916, became HMS SNAPPER II 8/1917. disposed of 27/4/1922. Now the hard bit! Do not get confused with HMS DRUDGE which became HMS EXCELLENT in November 1916 - Gunboat ( picture attached) which was 850 tons also launched 1883 which was armed with a single 9.2 inch gun. became HMS DRYAD in January 1919. Purchased 28/02/1901. Served as a Gunboat based at Dover 1914-1915, disarmed by order 5/11/1915 and laid-up. Sold 27/03/1920. Also there were three other Excellents but they were Admiralty trawlers. Confusing! Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demon1883 Posted 19 May , 2008 Author Share Posted 19 May , 2008 Many thanks to everyone for the information, it's certainly cleared a few things up! Rob Buckel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demon1883 Posted 23 May , 2008 Author Share Posted 23 May , 2008 Thank you to everyone who replied to this topic, some great information which has led me in some new directions. Tragically, I must report that this 125 year old historic ship was broken up last week, (around the 15th May 2008). Around 20ft has been cut from her bow, her superstructure has been removed along with most of her starboard deck, making a rescue attempt virtually impossible. This unique vessel should have been saved for the future, not consigned to the past. Yet another tragic loss for our martime heritage. Regards, Rob Buckel savethehandy@hotmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 24 May , 2008 Share Posted 24 May , 2008 The Vandals strike again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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