HMS St George (1892)

HMS St George was an Edgar-class protected cruiser of the Royal Navy, launched in 1892. As part of the Edgar class, she was designed to act as a trade protection cruiser and was intended for overseas service.

Design and Characteristics

The Edgar class was designed by Sir William White, the Director of Naval Construction, and represented an evolution of the Orlando-class armoured cruisers. St George displaced 7,350 tons and had a length of 360 feet (110 m), a beam of 60 feet (18 m), and a draught of 23.75 feet (7.24 m). She was powered by two triple-expansion steam engines driving two shafts, providing a designed speed of 20 knots (37 km/h). The cruisers were equipped with a protective deck of armour, sloping at the sides and flat in the middle.

Armament

St George's main armament consisted of two 9.2-inch (234 mm) guns, one mounted fore and one aft. She also carried ten 6-inch (152 mm) guns, located on the broadside. For close-range defence, she was fitted with several smaller quick-firing guns, including six 4.7-inch (120 mm) guns, eight 6-pounder guns, and machine guns. Torpedo tubes were also included in the design.

Service History

Following commissioning, St George served in various roles, including as a flagship. She was stationed in various parts of the world, including the Mediterranean and the China Station. During World War I, she was used for patrol duties and served as a depot ship. She was eventually sold for scrap in 1920.

Fate

St George was sold for breaking up in 1920, marking the end of her service in the Royal Navy.