HMS Dryad (1866)

HMS "Dryad" was a 4-gun "Amazon"-class screw sloop, launched at Devonport in 1866.

Design

Designed by Edward Reedwinfield] , the Royal Navy Director of Naval Construction, the hull was built of oak, with teak planking and decks, and she was equipped with a ram bow.

Propulsion

Propulsion was provided by a two-cylinder horizontal single-expansion steam engine by Ravenhill, Salkeld & Company driving a single convert|15|ft|m|abbr=on screw.

ail Plan

All the ships of the class were built with a barque rig.

Armament

The class was designed with two 7-inch (6½-ton) muzzle loading rifled guns mounted on slides on centre-line pivots, and two 64-pounder muzzle loading rifled guns on broadside trucks. "Dryad", "Nymphe" and "Vestal" were rearmed in the early 1870s with an armament of nine 64-pounder muzzle loading rifled guns, four each side and a centre-line pivot mount at the bow.winfield]

History

1866 - 1868

"Dryad's" keel was laid in April 1865, and she was launched on 25 September 1866. [cite web|url=http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/18-1900/D/01482.html|title=HMS "Dryad" at the Naval Database website|accessdate=2008-09-17] Her first Captain was Commander Thomas Fellowes, who took command on 3 May 1867cite web|url=http://www.pdavis.nl/ShowBiog.php?id=1460|title=William Loney RN website - Thomas Hounsom Butler Fellowes Biography|accessdate=2008-03-08] , and under whom she formed part of the East Indies Fleet.

Abyssinian War (1868)

cite web|url=http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/name_histories_d.htm|title=The history of the name "Dryad" at Battleships-Cruisers website|accessdate=2008-03-08] , where they led the attack up the King’s Road.

On 13 April, they took part in the assault and capture of Magdala, throwing rockets into the town. The Brigade sustained no casualties at Magdala, and behaved admirably, earning the warm praise of the Commander-in-Chief. By 10 June the campaign was over and the British forces had re-embarked at Zula.

Commander Philip Howard Colomb relieved Fellows as Captain of "Dryad" on 6 July 1868, Commander Fellows apparently being invalided out of the ship. Shortly afterwards, on 14 August Commander Fellowes was promoted to Post-Captain for his services. Abyssinia (1868) constitutes the second battle honour awarded to "Dryad", the first being "Proserpine" (1796), won by the first HMS "Dryad".

Anti-Slavery on the East Indies Station (1868 - 1872)

, and returned to Britain a lionised figure, courted by the press.

Commander George Parsons relived Colomb on 11 April 1870 and commanded "Dryad" until 26 April 1872.

Out of commission (1872 - 1874)

"Dryad's" first commission ended on 26 April 1872 when Commander Parsons left her in Devonport. Normal practice of the time was for the ship's company to leave the ship upon decommissioning, with the exception of a few specialists, including the shipwright and gunner, who would have been accommodated in another vessel. The dockyard would have taken her in hand for a refit, and she would have recommissioned, with a new captain and crew, on completion.

North American and West Indies Station (1874 - 1879)

Commander Compton Edward Domvile re-commissioned "Dryad" on 13 August 1874 and took her to the North American and West Indies Station. Domville, who went on to become Admiral Sir Compton Domville, was promoted to Captain on 27 March 1876. He was relieved in 1877 by Commander John Edward Stokes, who commanded her until 14 December 1877.

Out of commission (1877 - 1879)

From 1877 to 1879 she was out of commission at Devonport. Her Chief Engineer and Carpenter werecarried on the books of HMS "Indus". During this period her armament was changed from a mixture of 7-inch and 64-pounder muzzle loading rifled guns to nine 64-pounder muzzle loading rifled guns.winfield]

East Indies Station (1879 - 1882)

Commander John Hext joined "Dryad" on 18 December 1879 and commanded her in the East Indies Station until 30 June 1882. He was succeeded as Captain by Commander Charles Johnstone.

Tamatave (1883)

On 15 February 1883 François Césaire de Mahy, who was a Réunion deputy and French Minister of Agriculture (and at the time also temporarily filled the post of Minister of Marine), ordered Rear Admiral Pierre to enforce French claims in Madagascar, starting the first Franco-Hova War. [ "An Economic History of Imperial Madagascar, 1750-1895:The Rise and Fall of an Island Empire", by Gwyn Campbell, Cambridge University Press, 2005 ISBN 0521839351] Pierre's squadron arrived at Tamatave on 31 May to find "Dryad" already anchored in the roadstead. The French delivered an ultimatum to the foreign consuls to withdraw, but Mr Pakenham, the British consul, was already a seriously ill man; seven hours after the ultimatum was delivered he died of his illness. Commander Johnstone, already intending to protect the interests of British residents, readily took on the duty of consul. As well as the inevitable damage and distress caused in the bombardment, further controversy was added when Admiral Pierre arrested an Englishman:

Admiral Pierre took possession of Tamatave on 11 June, and a standoff ensued between the two navies. On 16 July the New York Times was able to report that cquote|The Captain of the English war vessel Dryad has offended the French by landing a guard of marines at the British consulate, and placing his boats at the disposal of fugitives. [ "New York Times", 16 July 1883 [http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9A0DEED6153DE533A25755C1A9619C94629FD7CF] ] In Britain the press railed against 'French atrocities' and in France the equally virulent media insisted that the British were too inclined to exceed their rights as neutrals. Coming at the same time as a French expedition to Indochina, and seeking to maintain cordial relations, the issues were downplayed by both governments. On 14 August Admiral Galiber sailed from Toulon to relieve the hapless Pierre, arriving in Madagsacar in October. ["New York Times", 29 July 1883 [http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9B0CE5DE1330E433A2575AC2A9619C94629FD7CF&oref=slogin] ] The French intervention in Madagascar had moved the region towards French domination, but it was not until 1895 that the entire island came under their control. Much of the reason for this ten-year delay is the delaying tactics of Commander Johnstone; as well as being hailed for his tact and heroism by the British press, he was promoted to Captain on 21 November [ cite web|url=http://www.pdavis.nl/ShowBiog.php?id=1463|title=William Loney RN Website - biography of Charles Johnstone|accessdate=2008-03-25] . He left "Dryad" in January 1884.

Egyptian War (1884)

to offload the Expeditionary Force.

After marching inland, the Brigade took part in the battle of El Teb. It was at this battle that Captain Arthur Knyvet Wilson of HMS "Hecla" earned the Victoria Cross for his conspicuous bravery in fighting with his fists, and saving one corner of the British square from being broken. After the battle of El Teb, the General Commanding issued a general order in which he especially thanked the Naval Brigade for their cheerful endurance during the severe work of dragging the guns over difficult country, and for their ready gallantry and steadiness under fire. On 11 March the Naval Brigade advanced from Suakin with the troops for the dispersal of the Arab forces who were beleaguering Sinkat.

On 12 March the expeditionary force took part in the Battle of Tamai. The Naval Brigade charged the Arabs, was surrounded, and lost their guns. Order was at length restored, and the Naval Brigade, advancing again, had the satisfaction of regaining all their guns; the Arab forces retired after suffering a loss of 2000 killed. The total British loss was 109 killed and 104 wounded, of which the Naval Brigade lost 3 officers and 7 men killed, and 1 officer and 6 seamen wounded. Among the killed was Lieutenant Houston Stewart of "Dryad", who died while defending the guns.

Decommissioning

"Dryad" was decommissioned for the last time at Sheerness in November 1884. She was sold in September 1885 and broken up in April 1886.winfield]

Commanding Officers

References

*Colledge