HMS Speedwell was a Sharpshooter-class torpedo gunboat constructed at Devonport Dockyard, with keel laid on 12 April 1888 and launched on 15 March 1889. She was completed by 1 July 1890 at a cost of £52,000. The vessel measured 242 feet overall, with a beam of 27 feet and a draught of approximately 10 feet 7 inches. Displacing 735 long tons, she was designed for speed and seaworthiness, featuring a raised forecastle to enhance seakeeping. Her propulsion consisted of two triple-expansion steam engines powered by four locomotive boilers, intended to produce 4,500 indicated horsepower for a top speed of 21–22 knots. However, the use of locomotive boilers proved unreliable, and actual performance was lower, with speeds around 16.5 to 18.7 knots under different conditions. Armament included two 4.7-inch (120 mm) quick-firing guns mounted fore and aft, supported by four 3-pounder guns positioned along the beam and in casemates forward. The ship was also equipped with five 14-inch torpedo tubes—one fixed in the bow and two twin mounts—plus three reload torpedoes. Her crew numbered 91 officers and men. Speedwell participated in naval manoeuvres in 1894 and 1895, and underwent various refits, including a significant upgrade in 1903 with Reed water-tube boilers. She was converted into a minesweeper between 1908 and 1909. During her service in World War I, she was assigned to the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow, conducting daily sweeps and mine clearance operations. Notably, in July 1915, she rammed and damaged the German U-boat U-41 off Muckle Flugga, forcing its return to port. She remained active in fleet operations, including anti-submarine patrols, until her decommissioning. HMS Speedwell was sold for scrap in March 1920, marking the end of her notable 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.