| 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, Wallsend |
| 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 manoeuvers 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 copyright of the Imperial War Museum
Above photo is copyright of the Imperial War Museum
Above photo is courtesy of the Marine Engineer
Shields Daily Gazette, Thursday, 07/09/1899
Western Daily Press, Friday 20th July 1900