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Built in 1883 by C Mitchell & Co. of Newcastle upon Tyne, DEMON is an iron hulled vessel designed as a floating test bed for guns produced by Armstrongs of Elswick. She has a steam compound engine, makers unknown. She was purchased by the Admiralty late in 1883 and was sent to the Whale Island Gunnery School in 1891 where she was renamed HMS EXCELLENT, then HMS CALCUTTA in 1917 and subsequently HMS SNAPPER. Her career after this is less clear but either in 1922 or 1929 she was sold to the Dover Harbour Board, converted to a floating crane and it is believed that she was renamed DEMON at this time. Pounds acquired the vessel in 1971 or 1972, demolished the crane, but retained the hull and machinery.
Sullivan, Dick, Old Ships, Boats and Maritime Museums, Coracle Books, 1978
Steamboat Register: An illustrated Register of surviving steam vessels in the British Isles, Steam Boat Association of Great Britain, Edition 6, May 1994
If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
National Historic Ships UK acknowledges the financial support of its sponsors