The HMS Argonaut, launched on 24 January 1898 at Fairfield Shipyard, was one of eight ships in the Diadem-class—a group of first-class protected cruisers built for the Royal Navy in the late 19th century. Designed by Sir William White, these cruisers were considered large and seaworthy, though they were criticised for their lack of heavy armament and manoeuvrability
1.
Specifications and Design
Argonaut displaced 11,000 tons, measured 435 feet in length, and was powered by triple expansion engines producing 18,000 horsepower, giving her a top speed of 20.8 knots. She was armed with:
- 16 × QF 6-inch guns
- 12 × 12-pounder guns
- 4 × 3-pounder guns
- 2 × 18-inch torpedo tubes
Her armour included a 4-inch deck, 4.5-inch gun shields, and Harvey Nickel steel protection for vital areas
World War I Service
At the outbreak of World War I, HMS Argonaut was recommissioned and assigned to the 9th Cruiser Squadron, operating in the Canaries-Finisterre Division and the Mid-Atlantic. Her primary role was to patrol and intercept enemy merchant vessels. On 10 October 1914, she successfully captured the German merchant ship Graecia, marking a notable moment in her wartime service
From August 1914 to July 1915, Argonaut maintained a presence off Cape Finisterre, contributing to the Royal Navy’s blockade and control of maritime routes. In October 1915, she was laid up at Portsmouth and repurposed as a hospital ship until 1917. Later, in 1918, she served as an accommodation ship for stokers, reflecting the Royal Navy’s adaptive use of older vessels during the war
Post-War Fate
After the war, HMS Argonaut was sold for scrapping on 18 May 1920 to Ward of Milford Haven
Her legacy, however, lives on through the HMS Argonaut Association, which continues to honour her service and the sailors who served aboard her.
