Mercury, 1879
Type: Cruiser 2nd Class; late Despatch Vessel (steel) ; Armament 10
Displacement: 3735 tons
Propulsion: Double Screw
Machinery notes: 7000 hpi
Notes:

1879 Portsmouth. Officers borne in Asia.

Apr 1886 Portsmouth

18 Feb 1890 Commissioned at Portsmouth

Mar 1890 recently commissioned at Portsmouth for the China Station, to relieve the Cordelia. Her masts are being shortened and will only be used for signalling, and thus like many other vessels in the RN, she will no longer be able to set sail.

1890 China.