RN Torpedo Gunboats: Sharpshooter Class

[Brian James]

Sharpshooter Class Torpedo Gunboat HMS Spanker pictured c1900.In 1909 she and four of her sister ships were converted to Minesweepers.The torpedo tubes were removed, but the ships retained their guns. The Minesweeping equipment constituted a kite winch and gallows fitted on the quarterdeck. She was assigned to the North Sea Fisheries as a tender to Dryad Class Torpedo Gunboat HMS Halcyon in reserve.On April 15th 1913 she was recommissioned at Portsmouth and served throughout World War I.From 1917, under the command of she formed part of the 13th Fast Minesweeping Flotilla at Oban,Scotland.By 1919 she was listed on the disposal list as a First Class Gunboat.She was sold on March 20th 1920 to the Cornish Salvage Company of Ilfracombe for breaking.

[Brian James]

Sharpshooter Class Torpedo Gunboat HMS Karrakatta pictured on Sydney Harbour in 1891.

[Brian James]

Sharpshooter Class Torpedo Gunboat HMS Gleaner pictured c1891.

[Brian James]

Sharpshooter Class Torpedo Gunboats HMS Boomerang and HMS Karrakatta pictured in Sutherland Graving Dock, Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney c1899.

[Brian James]

Part of the Auxiliary Destroyer Squadron, Sharpshooter Class Torpedo Gunboat HMS Boomerang pictured at Farm Cove, Sydney during the Duke of York's visit at the Australian Federation celebrations in 1901. The Duke and Duchess arrived using the chartered Orient Liner Ophir as a Royal Yacht, and attended the Federation celebrations as part of a wider tour of the empire. Boomerang stands off the departure pontoon in Farm Cove as the Royal couple are about to be rowed to their yacht.