HMS Sapphire (1904)

HMS Sapphire was a third-class protected cruiser of the Topaze class of the Royal Navy. She was launched in 1904, saw active service in World War I and was sold for scrap in 1921.

Construction
She was laid down in January 1904 at Palmer, Jarrow, launched on 17 March 1904 and completed in February 1905. She was powered by an inverted, triple expansion, 4 cylinder, surface condensing, coal-fired boiler.

World War I
Sapphire was commissioned on 2 July 1914 at Chatham Dock, Kent, before moving out into Kethole Reach, in the estuary of the Medway. On 16 July, Sapphire set sail from Sheerness Docks, Kent, for Spithead, Hampshire, where she took part in the Royal Fleet Review on 20 July.

East Indies
On 8 January 1918, Sapphire arrived at Aden where Commander W. F. Sells joined from HMS Minto and took over command.

Fate
Sapphire was sold for scrap on 9 May 1921.