The First Commission of HMS CALLIOPE. January 25th 1887 – April 30th 1890. Written on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the memorable Hurricane at Apia, Samoa, March 16th 1889

Launched in 1884, CALYPSO-class corvette HMS CALLIOPE had one of the longest service records in the modern Royal Navy, terminating only with her eventual scapping in 1951. Among her many adventures she is famous for her remarkable seamanship in escaping the devastating Apia hurricane which left many other vessels wrecked or grounded. The frontispiece recto carries a short manuscript account of the vessel's final days, ending at Blyth before her departure for the scrapyard. Her name continues as the home of Royal Naval Reserve, Tyneside. SCARCE.