HMS Vigilant (1900)

HMS Vigilant was a Clydebank three funnel - 30 knot destroyer purchased by the Royal Navy under the 1899 – 1900 Naval Estimates. She was the ninth ship to carry this name since it was introduced in 1755 for an 8-gun schooner captured in 1756 by the French at Oswego.

Construction
She was laid down as a speculative build Yard No 116 at the John Brown and Company shipyard in Clydebank. She was purchased by the Royal Navy on the 31 March 1900 and was launched on 19 August 1900. During her trials she made her contract speed of 30 knots. She was completed and accepted by the Royal Navy in June 1901.

Pre-War
After commissioning she was assigned to the Channel Fleet in the Portsmouth Flotilla. She spent her operational career mainly in Home Waters operating with the Channel Fleet.

On 30 August 1912 the Admiralty directed all destroyer classes were to be designated by alpha characters starting with the letter 'A'. Since her design speed was 30-knots and she had three funnels she was assigned to the C Class. After 30 September 1913, she was known as an C Class destroyer and had the letter ‘C’ painted on the hull below the bridge area and on either the fore or aft funnel.

World War I
After commissioning she was assigned to the Channel Fleet in the Portsmouth Flotilla. She spent her operational career mainly in Home Waters operating with the Channel Fleet.

Disposition
In 1919 HMS Vigilant was paid off and laid-up in reserve awaiting disposal. She was sold on 10 February 1920 to South Alloa Ship Breaking Company for breaking at Charlestown near Rosyth on the Firth of Forth.

She was not awarded a Battle Honour for her service.