| Name: | VIPER |
| Type: | Destroyer |
| Keel: | 20/07/1898 |
| Launched: | 06/09/1899 |
| Completed: | 18/09/1900 |
| Builder: | R & W Hawthorn Leslie & Co Ltd |
| Yard: | Hebburn |
| Yard Number: | 366 |
| Dimensions: | 344disp, 210.0 x 21.0 x 7.0(draft)ft |
| Engines: | 2 x HP Steam turbines, 2 x LP Steam turbines,50000shp |
| Engines by: | Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company Ltd |
| Propulsion: | 4 x Screws, 36.5knots |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Armament: | 1 x 12pdr, 5 x 1 x 6pdr guns; 2 x torpedo tubes |
| History: | |
| 18/09/1900 | British Royal Navy |
| 03/08/1901 | Wrecked |
| Comments: | This was a sub-contract from the Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Co |
| Hawthorn Leslie was a sub-contracter for the hull | |
| The Admiralty were looking for a design that would achieve at least 31 knots | |
| She was the first destroyer to use steam turbine propulsion. | |
| 03/08/1901: Whilst on manoevers in fog near Alderney, ran aground on Renonquet Rocks | |
| Lost her propellers & drifted broadside onto rocks. Eventually broke her back. |
Above photo is copyright of Tyne and Wear Museums
Above photo is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo is courtesy of the Marine Engineer
Shields Daily Gazette, Thursday, 07/09/1899
Western Daily Press, Friday 20th July 1900