HMS Thrush (1889)

HMS Thrush was a Redbreast-class composite gunboat, the third ship of the name to serve in the Royal Navy.

Design
The Redbreast-class were designed by Sir William Henry White, the Royal Navy Director of Naval Construction in 1888.

Construction
Thrush was launched on 22 June 1889 at Greenock. Her triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine was built by the Greenock Foundry, and developed 1200 ihp, sufficient to propel her at 13 kn through her single screw.

Career
Her first station was the North America and West Indies Station based in Halifax where, in 1891, she was commanded by HRH Prince George, later to become King George V of the United Kingdom. In 1896 Thrush, along with Sparrow, played a part in the 40 minute Anglo-Zanzibar War. She was also on active service during the Second Boer War between October 1899 and June 1902 where she was commanded by Lieutenant W H D'Oyly.

From 1906 Thrush worked for HM Coastguard before becoming a cable ship in 1915. She then became a salvage ship in 1916 before being wrecked off Glenarm in Northern Ireland on 11 April 1917.