12/05/2003 Entry: "Victorian Warship on display in Chatham Historic Dockyard"

Victorian Warship Refloated in Kent
HMS Gannet, the last sloop of Queen Victoria's Royal Navy, has been refloated at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, after a 24-month restoration. The 190-foot vessel, built in 1878, can be viewed from the dockside: she is due to open to the public next April, joining the dockyard's other two historic warships, HMS Cavalier and the submarine Ocelot.

Powered by sail and a single shaft two-cylinder compound expansion steam engine with three cylindrical boilers, Gannet served in the Pacific, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea between 1879 and 1895.

She later became a naval reserve drill ship, and in 1913 was towed to the River Hamble near Southampton to become the accommodation ship for the Training School Mercury, run by the former athlete and Test cricketer C.B.Fry.

Chatham Historic Dockyard, on the River Medway in Kent built warships from Henry VIII's time. The Dockyards are closed in December and January, but re-open on Feb.14.

When Gannet opens in April, visitors will be able to explore the upper and poop decks, the forecastle and the captain's cabin. Tel: 01634 823800.

Website: www.chdt.org.uk