Challenger-class cruiser

The Challenger-class cruisers were essentially repeats of the previous Highflyer class, albeit with more powerful propulsion machinery. They were designed to displace {{convert|5880|LT|t}}. The ships had a length between perpendiculars of {{convert|355|ft|m|1}}, a beam of {{convert|56|ft|m|1}} and a draught of {{convert|21|ft|3|in|m|1}}. Their crew consisted of 490 officers and other ranks.Friedman 2012, p. 336

The ships were powered by two 4-cylinder triple-expansion steam engines, each driving one shaft, using steam provided by 18 Babcock & Wilcox ({{HMS|Challenger|1902|2}}) or Dürr (Encounter) water-tube boilers. These boilers were heavier and bulkier, but more powerful than the Belleville boilers used in the Highflyer class. Sir William White, Director of Naval Construction, was uncertain if the extra power would offset the weight sufficiently to reach {{convert|21|kn|lk=in}} and rated the ships at {{convert|20.75|kn}}. The boilers were designed to produce enough steam to allow the engines to reach {{convert|12500|ihp|lk=in}}.Friedman, pp. 170–71, 334 The ships easily exceeded their designed power and speeds during their sea trials.Chesneau & Kolesnik, p. 79 They carried a maximum of {{convert|1150|LT|t}} of coal.

The main armament of the Challenger class consisted of 11 quick-firing (QF) QF 6 inch Mk I - III naval gun.Friedman 2011, p. 87 One gun was mounted on the forecastle and two others were positioned on the quarterdeck. The remaining eight guns were placed port and starboard amidships.Friedman 2012, p. 171 They had a maximum range of approximately {{convert|10000|yd}} with their {{convert|100|lb|adj=on}} shells.Friedman 2011, pp. 87–88 Eight QF 12-pounder 12 cwt guns were fitted for defence against torpedo boats. One additional 12-pounder 8 cwt gun could be dismounted for service ashore. They also carried six 3-pounder Hotchkiss guns and two submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

The ships' protective deck armour ranged in thickness from {{convert|1.5|to|3|in|mm|0}}. The engine hatches were protected by {{convert|5|in|adj=on|0}} of armour. The main guns were fitted with 3-inch gun shields and the conning tower had armour 6 inches thick.

• {{HMS|Challenger|1902|6}} - Sold 1920
• {{HMS|Encounter|1902|6}} - To Australia in 1912 as HMAS Encounter, renamed Penguin 1923, scuttled 1932.

{{reflist|group=Note}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{cite book|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905|editor1-last=Chesneau|editor1-first=Roger|editor2-last=Kolesnik|editor2-first=Eugene M.|publisher=Conway Maritime Press|location=Greenwich|year=1979|isbn=0-8317-0302-4|name-list-style=amp|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/conwaysallworlds0000unse_l2e2}}
• {{cite book|last=Corbett|first=Julian|authorlink=Julian Corbett|title=Naval Operations to the Battle of the Falklands|edition=2nd, reprint of the 1938|series=History of the Great War: Based on Official Documents|volume=I|publisher=Imperial War Museum and Battery Press|location=London and Nashville, Tennessee|isbn=0-89839-256-X}}
• {{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=British Cruisers of the Victorian Era|year=2012|publisher=Seaforth|location=Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK|isbn=978-1-59114-068-9}}
• {{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=Naval Weapons of World War One|publisher=Seaforth|location=Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK|year=2011|isbn=978-1-84832-100-7}}
• {{cite book |editor1-last=Gardiner|editor1-first=Robert|editor2-last=Gray|editor2-first=Randal|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921|year=1985|location=Annapolis, Maryland|publisher=Naval Institute Press|isbn=0-85177-245-5|name-list-style=amp}}

{{Commons category|Challenger class cruiser}}

{{Challenger class cruisers}}

{{WWI British ships}}

Category:Cruiser classes

Category:Ship classes of the Royal Navy