HMS Archer was a torpedo cruiser of the Archer class, built for the Royal Navy in the mid-1880s. She was one of eight ships in the class. These cruisers were designed to be fast and capable of operating in distant waters, with a focus on countering torpedo boats.
Archer was laid down in 1885, launched in December 1885, and completed in 1887. She displaced approximately 1,770 tons and was armed with a main battery of six 4.7-inch guns, as well as smaller quick-firing guns and torpedo tubes. Her machinery was intended to give her a speed of around 17 knots.
The Archer class of cruisers were considered to be relatively unsuccessful. They were found to be top-heavy and suffered from poor sea-keeping qualities. They were also quickly rendered obsolete by advancements in naval technology.
Archer served in various roles throughout her career, including service on foreign stations. She was eventually sold out of the Royal Navy in 1905. Her ultimate fate is not widely documented.