HMS Cordelia was a Comus-class corvette of the Royal Navy, launched at Portsmouth Dockyard on 25 October 1881. As part of the Comus class, she was designed for long-range voyages far from coaling stations, featuring a robust metal hull with copper sheathing over timber beneath the waterline to prevent electrolytic corrosion. Her hull incorporated two layers of timber from the keel to 3 feet above the waterline, with single-layer timber extending above. The vessel was powered by 3-cylinder compound steam engines, with a high-pressure cylinder of 46 inches in diameter flanked by two larger low-pressure cylinders of 64 inches each, enabling her to undertake extended operations under steam. Cordelia was rigged with a barque or ship sail configuration across three masts, with studding sails on the fore and mainmasts, allowing for versatile propulsion options. Her design included a nearly straight bow above the waterline, stern galleries reminiscent of older frigates, and several boat stations amidships and at the stern. Her internal layout comprised a main battery on the open quarterdeck between two complete decks, with spaces below for water, provisions, coal, and magazines for shells and powder. The engine and boiler rooms were located amidships, protected by a 1.5-inch thick armored deck about 100 feet long, situated approximately 3 feet below the lower deck, which was used for crew berthing—officers aft, warrant and petty officers forward, and ratings amidships. HMS Cordelia served on the China Station before transferring to the Australia Station in April 1890. Her service was marred by a tragic incident during gun practice in 1891, when a gun burst during a cruise from Fiji to Nouméa, resulting in five crew members killed, one mortally wounded, and thirteen injured. She departed the Australia Station late in 1891 and was sold for breaking up on 5 July 1904. Notably, her foremast was repurposed as the mast at HMS Ganges.

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