HMS Fox (1893)

HMS "Fox" was a second class cruiser of the "Astraea"-class of the Royal Navy. The class represented an improvement on previous types, 1,000 tons displacement larger with better seaworthiness due to improved hull design. It also had somewhat increased fire-power and superior arrangement of guns.

Ships of this category were designed for overseas duty where they were unlikely to encounter first class opposition. They were useful for showing the flag, suppressing piracy, escorting convoys during war time, supporting colonial governments, and generally intimidating minor powers. They had some use in countering armed merchant cruisers of a hostile navy.

"Fox" was sheathed in wood and copper, to fit her for tropical waters. The hull of an unsheathed steel vessel operating in warm waters would usually become so encrusted with barnacles that its speed would be seriously affected within six months [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/copper-sheathing.htm] .

By 1906, "Fox" was serving on the East Indies Station, but was paid off in January 1907 and sent to the reserve fleet. In May 1908, she was recommissioned for the Home Fleet. In June 1908, she was sent once more to the East Indies were she served until 1914.

On the outbreak of World War I Fox was 18 years old and obsolete, but still performed sterling service. Off Colombo, Ceylon, she captured two German merchant ships, the "Australia" on 10 August 1914, and the "Holtenfels" on 11 August 1914.

"Fox" was subsequently assigned to support Indian and British troops in their unsuccessful attack on the port of Tanga in German East Africa on November 3 and 4th, 1914. She then participated in the hunt for the German light cruiser, Konigsberg and participated in a raid on Dar-es-Salaam where she bombarded the city. In January 1915 "Fox" was part of the force which occupied Mafia Island.

"Fox" served in the East Indies and Egypt from 1915 to 1917, and then in the Red Sea in 1917 to 1918. Fox played a critical role while in the Red Sea in supporting the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, flying the flag of William Boyle, 12th Earl of Cork.

The ship was sold in 1920 and scrapped in Watchet Harbour in the autumn of 1923.