HMS Jason was an Alarm-class torpedo gunboat built for the British Royal Navy between 1891 and 1893 by the Naval Construction & Engineering Co., later Vickers Armstrong, at their Barrow-in-Furness shipyard. The vessel measured 230 feet (70.10 meters) in length between perpendiculars, with a beam of 27 feet (8.23 meters) and a draught of 12 feet (3.66 meters). It displaced approximately 810 long tons (820 metric tons). The ship's propulsion consisted of two triple-expansion steam engines powered by four locomotive boilers, driving two propeller shafts. Originally rated at 3,500 indicated horsepower, the engines allowed Jason to reach a speed of 18.7 knots (34.6 km/h). Armament included two 4.7-inch (120 mm) quick-firing guns placed fore and aft, supplemented by four 3-pounder guns and a single .45-inch Gardner machine gun. The vessel also carried three 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes—one fixed in the bow and two on swiveling mounts on the beam—and had a crew of 91 sailors. Jason’s construction commenced on 7 September 1891, with her launch taking place on 14 May 1892, and her completion in June 1893 at a cost of £49,253. Early service saw her participate in naval manoeuvres in 1894 and 1896, and she was present at the Jubilee Fleet Review at Spithead in 1897. In 1902, she was transferred to Glasgow and underwent a significant refit, which included the installation of water-tube boilers and new engines rated at 5,800 indicated horsepower, increasing her speed to approximately 21.9 knots (40.6 km/h). In 1909, Jason was converted into a minesweeper, a role she maintained through World War I. She was re-tubed at Sheerness Dockyard at the end of 1911 and rejoined the Home Fleet in 1912. During WWI, she was active in minesweeping duties, including operations in the Pentland Firth and off the coast of Scotland. Tragically, on 7 April 1917, while sweeping a minefield between Mull and Coll, Jason struck a German-laid mine laid by U-78 and sank, resulting in the deaths of 25 crew members. The wreck was discovered in April 2022, marking the end of her maritime service.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.