HMS Arethusa was a second-class cruiser of the , which served with the Royal Navy. She was built at Napier, Glasgow, being laid down in 1880, launched in 1882 and completed in financial year 1886–87. She remained in ordinary reserve at Chatham, being commissioned for the 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, and 1892 annual manoeuvres. She served in the Mediterranean from 1893 to 1896, was commissioned for the 1899 annual manoeuvres, then recommissioned for the Pacific, and later sent as a reinforcement to the China Station during the Boxer Rebellion until she came home for the last time in 1903.
Construction
Arethusa was built at Napier, Glasgow, and completed in financial year 1886–87.Navy Estimates for the Year 1889-90, page 281.
Sea-going career
She lay in ordinary at Chatham after completion only being commissioned for the annual manoeuvres until 1892.Arethusa was commissioned at Chatham on 16 May 1893 and served in the Mediterranean.Navy List, January 1895, corrected to 18th December 1894, page 200 She paid off at Chatham on 22 July 1896 The UK National Archives has logbooks for Arethusa covering 16 May 1893 to 22 July 1896, in the catalogue reference ADM ADM 53/12518 to 12520. and then laid in ordinary at Chatham from 23 July 1896 to 10 July 1899.The UK National Archives does not have logbooks for Arethusa for the period 23 July 1896 to 10 July 1899. On 11 July 1899 she was commissioned for the annual manoeuvres, and paid off on 13 August.Navy List, August 1899, corrected to 18 July 1899 - Supplement: Ships and Officers Engaged in the Naval Manoeuvres, page 28.UK National Archives has a logbook for Arethusa covering 11 July to 13 August 1899, in the catalogue reference ADM 53/17281 A.
Arethusa was commissioned at Chatham on 14 November 1899.Navy List, March 1901, corrected to 18 February 1901, page 225UK National Archives has logbooks for Arethusa covering 14 November 1899 to 3 April 1903, in the catalogue reference ADM 53/12521 to 12522, and 17281 B. Initially she served on the Pacific Station,.Navy List, July 1900, corrected to 18 June 1900, page 225. In 1901 she was sent out as a reinforcement to the China Station for the protection of the lives and property of British subjects during the Boxer Rebellion.Hansard HC Deb 20 July 1900 vol 86 cc640-1, China—Anti-Foreign Outbreak— Increase of British Forces. Arethusa remained on the China Station until she was relieved by ,Navy List, January 1903, corrected to 18 December 1902, page 227. then she returned to England and paid off for the last time on 3 April 1903. This commission was the subject of a book in the 'Log' series, entitled: HMS Arethusa, went Round the World, 1899–1903.
Disposal Arethusa was sold on 4 April 1905.
References
The Naval Annual, various issues. Brown, David K. Warrior to Dreadnought, Warship Development 1860–1905, published Chatham Publishing, 1997. Blueprints Chesneau, Roger, and Eugene M. Kolesnik, eds. All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905, published Conway Maritime Press, 1979. Jane, Fred T All the World's Fighting Ships, 1900 Lyon, David and Winfield, Rif The Sail and Steam Navy List, All the Ships of the Royal Navy 1815–1889, published Chatham, 2004,
Footnotes