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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo # NH 61328:  HMS Calliope, photographed circa the 1880s

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- SHIPS of the BRITISH NAVY --

HMS Calliope (Corvette, 1884-1951)

HMS Calliope, a 2779-ton Calypso class screw corvette, was built at Portsmouth Dockyard, England. Completed in 1884, her design was optimized for distant cruising service, with a fouling-resistant coppered hull, full sailing rig and relatively powerful engines. While so employed, as a unit of the Australian Station, Calliope performed one of the late 19th Century's most notable feats of seamanship when she escaped from the harbor at Apia, Samoa, during the violent hurricane that struck there on 15-16 March 1889.

In 1907, following the end of her active service, Calliope became a drill ship for the Tyne Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. She was employed in that duty for several decades, under the name Helicon between 1914 and 1931, and as HMS Calliope before and after those years. The gallant old ship was finally sold for scrapping in 1951.

This page features all the views we have related to the British corvette Calliope (1884-1951).


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 61328

HMS Calliope
(British Cruiser, 1884)

Photographed circa the 1880s.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 104KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 75964

HMS Calliope
(British Cruiser, 1884)

In port, circa the 1880s.
A Jumna Indian troopship is in the background, beyond Calliope's stern.
The original photograph is in an Office of Naval Intelligence register.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 545 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 55227

British Cruiser Calliope


Steaming out of Apia, Samoa, during the great hurricane of 16 March 1889.
Halftone reproduction of an artwork, published in the late 19th or early 20th Century.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 510 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42113

Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


"Plan of the harbor of Apia, with positions of the ships before, and after the hurricane."
Chart drawn by Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, contained in his personal journal of the Apia Hurricane.
The chart gives locations for the U.S. Navy ships Trenton, Vandalia and Nipsic; German Navy ships Olga, Adler and Eber; and the British Navy ship Calliope.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Donation of Miss Elsie S. Kimberly, January 1958.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 253KB; 1200 x 875 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42110

Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889


"Rear Admiral Lewis Ashfield Kimberly U.S.N. painted these pictures of the hurricane at Samoa after his retirement while he lived at 72 Perkins St. West Newton, Massachusetts. I can recall his saying that it was the swift and tremendously strong under tow that was a great factor in keeping the U.S.S. Trenton from pounding down on the sharp reefs as each wave threw her upon them. He also spoke of the spontaneous cheer of the men on the Trenton, as the Calliope drew past and went out to sea."
Comments by Miss Elsie S. Kimberly, daughter of Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, concerning the sketches of the Apia hurricane that are contained in his personal journal.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Donation of Miss Elsie S. Kimberly, January 1958.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 70KB; 740 x 550 pixels

 


Note: In addition to the views referenced above, the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England, holds a number of artworks that depict HMS Calliope during the Apia hurricane of 15-16 March 1889. Among these are:

National Maritime Museum photo # 2959 -- Etching by W.L. Wyllie, depicting HMS Calliope steaming out of Apia Harbor into the teeth of the hurricane. The view shows Calliope from off her stern (somewhat to the port side), with another ship (probably USS Trenton) beyond.

National Maritime Museum photo # 58/6590 -- Engraving from the "Illustrated London News", depicting the crew of USS Trenton cheering HMS Calliope as she steamed seaward at the peak of the hurricane. The artist's vantage point is from on board Trenton, with Calliope passing nearby (seen from off her port quarter).

National Maritime Museum photo # A.8339 -- Painting showing HMS Calliope escaping from Apia Harbor during the storm. The view shows Calliope from off her starboard side, with a huge wave breaking amidships.


For additional information on these items, the availability of reproductions and usage rights, contact the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Its WEB site can be readily found through standard Internet search engines.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 17 March 2002
New images added 21 April 2002