HMS Daring was a Fantome-class sloop of the Royal Navy, launched in 1874. As a composite vessel, she featured an iron frame sheathed with teak and copper, combining strength with durability and resistance to marine fouling. Her propulsion system consisted of a trunk engine supplied by John Penn & Sons, providing her with reliable steam power. Additionally, she was rigged with a full barque sail plan, enabling her to operate efficiently under both steam and sail. Throughout her service, HMS Daring primarily operated in the Pacific and China Stations. Her duties included hydrographic surveys, some of which were conducted in collaboration with the Canadian Government, who subsidized part of her work. Notably, in the spring of an unspecified year, she transported Joseph Howe, then the Provincial Secretary of Nova Scotia, to the mouth of the Tangier River in Halifax County. There, Howe took measures to organize land around lawless gold diggings by dividing the area into lots and offering them for rent at $40, facilitating the settlement and regulation of the region. In 1877, Commander John Hammer conducted a sketch survey of the Skeena River entrance from HMS Daring, contributing valuable charting information. Her service extended over approximately 15 years, during which she played a role in maritime surveying and colonial administration efforts in the Pacific and North American waters. HMS Daring was decommissioned and sold in 1889 to a Mr. J Cohen, after which she was broken up. Her operational history reflects her significance as a composite sloop designed for versatile duties, including hydrography, survey work, and supporting colonial administration during the late 19th century.

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