HMS Decoy (1894)

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HMS Decoy was a Daring-class torpedo boat destroyer of the Royal Navy. Built by John I. Thornycroft & Company in Chiswick, she was laid down in July 1892, launched on 7 February 1894, and completed in June 1895 at a cost of about £36,000. She displaced about 260 long tons light and 288 long tons full load, was 185 feet long, 19 feet wide and drew 7 feet. Propulsion came from two Thornycroft water-tube boilers and two triple-expansion steam engines driving two shafts, giving a speed of 27 knots. Her crew numbered 46–53. Armament consisted of one QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval gun, three 6-pounder guns, and three 18-inch torpedo tubes. The bow torpedo tube proved troublesome, as the ship could overtake its own torpedo at high speeds, and the tube also reduced living space and made the bridge prone to flooding.

Decoy took part in the 1896 British Naval Manoeuvres with the Channel Fleet. She later served as an instructional tender to the gunnery school ship Cambridge until August 1901. In February 1902 Lt Cyril Asser became her commander, based at Plymouth in the Devonport instructional flotilla. He was followed by Lt Henry Ralph Heathcote in July 1902, and then Lt L. J. I. Hammond in August 1902. She took part in the fleet review at Spithead on 16 August 1902 for King Edward VII’s coronation. From late August 1902 she again acted as a tender to Cambridge, while her crew transferred to HMS Ostrich; the following month she returned to the instructional flotilla.

Decoy was sunk in a collision with the destroyer Arun off the Scilly Islands on 13 August 1904 during night exercises. One man was killed and 40 were rescued by Arun and Sturgeon. Courts martial followed; the first blamed Arun’s commander Reginald Tyrwhitt. A second hearing in August dismissed the charge of neglect but upheld the charge of hazarding both vessels.