HMS Serapis (1866)

HMS "Serapis" was a Royal Navy troopship commissioned for the Indian Government and launched in the Thames 26 September 1866 from Blackwall Yard. She was operated by the Royal Navy to transport up to 1,200 troops and family from Portsmouth to Bombay. This usually took 70 days. She was disposed of in 1894.

"Serapis" was one of five sister ships, the others being HMS "Crocodile", HMS "Jumna", HMS "Euphrates", and HMS "Malabar".

She weighed 6,211 gross tonnes, with a single screw, a speed of 15 knots, one funnel, three masts (rigged for sail), 3 guns, and a white painted hull. Her bow was a "ram bow" and projected under water.

Notes from Navy List and papers of the day

* September 1875 she transported the Prince of Wales to India to celebrate Queen Victoria's appointment as Empress of India.
* 3 January 1880: Embarking the 30th Regiment from Dover, and a number of officers from various regiments.
* 7 January 1880: HMS "Serapis", Captain Twiss, had completed the embarkation of troops at Portsmouth and sailed for Bombay.
* 17 January 1880: Arrived Malta.
* 18 January 1880: Departed Malta for Port Said etc.
* 22 January 1880: Arrived Port Said.
* 26 January 1880: Reported departure from Suez for Bombay on Saturday.
* 4 February 1880: Arrived Bombay.
* 18 February 1880: Departed Bombay for Portsmouth.
* April 1886: Indian training squadron.
* 1890: Portsmouth.

References

*Colledge

External links

* [http://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/navyships/indiantroopships/troopshipserapis.htm Naval Forces of the British Empire (Photograph and description)]
* [http://www.barnardf.demon.co.uk/pictures/jumna.htm Image of HMS Serapis and other of sister ships, Jumna and Crocodile]
* [http://www.pdavis.nl/ShowShip.php?id=2050 Mid-Victorian RN Vessel]