HMS Bacchante (1901)

HMS Bacchante at anchor
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Bacchante
NamesakeBacchante
Ordered1897-98 Programme
BuilderJohn Brown & Company, Clydebank
Yard number338
Laid down15 February 1899
Launched21 February 1901
CompletedNovember 1902
Commissioned25 November 1902
FateSold for scrap, 1 July 1920
General characteristics
Class and typeCressy-class armoured cruiser
Displacement12,000 long tons (12,000 t) (normal)
Length472 ft (143.9 m) (o/a)
Beam69 ft 6 in (21.2 m)
Draught26 ft 9 in (8.2 m) (maximum)
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph)
Complement725–760
Armament
Armour

HMS Bacchante was a Cressy-class armoured cruiser built for the Royal Navy around 1900. Upon completion she was assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet as flagship of the fleet's cruiser squadron. She was reduced to reserve upon her return home in 1905 before returning to the Mediterranean in 1906. Six years later she returned home and was again placed in reserve. Recommissioned at the start of World War I, Bacchante became flagship of the 7th Cruiser Squadron. She was present at the Battle of Heligoland Bight a few weeks after the war began, but saw no combat.

She was transferred to convoy escort duties in the Bay of Biscay in late 1914 before being sent to Egypt in early 1915. Bacchante was then assigned to support Anzac troops during the Gallipoli Campaign by providing naval gunfire. She covered the landing at Anzac Cove in April as well as several subsequent operations. Returning home in late 1916, she became the flagship of the 9th Cruiser Squadron on convoy escort duties off the African coast in mid-1917. Bacchante remained there for the rest of the war and was reduced to reserve in 1919 before being sold for scrap in 1920.
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