HMS Handy (1895)

HMS Handy was a Dryad-class torpedo gunboat of the Royal Navy launched in 1895. These vessels were designed to combine the roles of torpedo boat and gunboat, intended for coastal defense and patrolling.

As a Dryad-class torpedo gunboat, Handy displaced approximately 1,070 tons. She was armed with two 4.7-inch guns, four 6-pounder guns, and two 18-inch torpedo tubes. She was propelled by steam engines and had a designed speed of around 19 knots.

The Dryad class consisted of eight ships, all built to a similar design. They were constructed during a period of naval expansion and technological development, representing an attempt to create a versatile and relatively inexpensive warship.

Handy served in the Royal Navy for several years, primarily engaged in patrol duties and exercises. Her service coincided with a period of relative peace for the British Empire, but also with increasing naval competition from other European powers. Details regarding specific deployments or engagements involving HMS Handy are limited in publicly available records.

She was eventually sold out of service sometime in the early 20th century, reflecting the rapid advancements in naval technology that rendered earlier designs obsolete. Torpedo gunboats, in general, were quickly superseded by destroyers, which offered improved speed, armament, and seakeeping qualities.