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.
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.
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If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 17 March 2002
New images added 21 April 2002