HMAS Pioneer - Design and Construction

Design and Construction

Pioneer was a third-class protected cruiser of the nine-ship Pelorus or P class. These ships had a displacement of 2,200 tons, were 313 feet 3 inches (95.48 m) long overall and 305 feet (93 m) long between perpendiculars, had a beam of 36 feet 9 inches (11.20 m), and a draught of 15 feet (4.6 m). Propulsion was supplied by inverted three-cylinder triple expansion steam engines, providing 5,000 indicated horsepower (3,700 kW) to two propeller shafts. Although designed to reach speeds of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph), Pioneer was only capable of 19.5 knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph).

The cruiser was armed with eight single QF 4 in (100 mm) guns, eight single QF 3 pounder guns, two field guns, three Maxim machine guns, and two 14 in (356 mm) torpedo tubes sited above the waterline. The ship's company initially stood at 225, but this was later reduced to 188; 12 officers, and 176 sailors.

Poineer was laid down for the Royal Navy at HM Dockyard, Chatham, Kent on 16 December 1897. She was launched 28 June 1899 by Miss Andoe, daughter of the dockyard's admiral superintendent. The cruiser was completed on 23 January 1900, and was placed in reserve until her commissioning on 10 July 1900.