Bullfinch, 1898
Type: Torpedo Boat Destroyer ; Armament 1 X 12 pdr ; 5 x 6 pdr
Completed : 10 Feb 1898 ; Disposal date or year : 1919
Displacement: 370 tons
Machinery notes: 5,600 FD
Notes:

21 Jul 1899 suffered a serious accident during trials. See part of report below.

1914 Seventh Destroyer Flotilla, Tender to Leander

21 Jul 1899: A serious accident, resulting in the loss of eight lives and injuries to six other men, has occurred at Portsmouth during her trial trip ....

The vessel was required to steam for three hours at a mean speed of 30 knots and complied with the stipulations so far as the six runs on the measured mile in Stokes Bay were concerned. She then, in order to fill in the three hours, steamed as far as Cowes, and was entering the Solent with only a quarter of an hour to complete her time when the connecting rod of the high pressure starboard cylinder broke close to the fork. The piston immediately knocked off the cover, flooding the fore part of the engine-room with steam, from which none of the hands could escape. At the same time the end of the rod was driven through the bottom of the vessel, which began to leak badly. Lieutenant F. G. Dineley, who was in command, promptly ordered the use of collision mats, which, partially checked the inrush of water.......

The names of the killed, excluding Eustace, of Ellis-street, Hull, who has already been mentioned, are:-

• William John Eyers, chargeman of fitters, Portsmouth Dockyard.
• George Lovey and
• J. Leighton, fitters, Portsmouth.
• Harry Firth 28. fitter, single, Market-place, Hull
• J. Denniss, foreman, married, Field Street, Hull.
• David McRobie, fitter, married, London-villas, Victor Street, Hull
• Rowe, fitter, Hull.

The injured men are:-

• W. A. Dathan, engineer officer of the Bullfinch.
• Townsend and
• Young, fitters, Portsmouth.
• J. Tremain, fitter, Jolland-street, Hull
• J. Wardell, fitter, Arundel-street, Hull.
• G. Leggett, fitter, Woodhouse-street, Hull