# Peruvian cruiser Lima

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{{Short description|1880 cruiser for the Peruvian Navy}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Use shortened footnotes|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox ship
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
 |image= USS Topeka (pg-35).jpg
 |image_caption= [Sister ship](/source/Sister_ship) ''Diogenes'' as USS ''Topeka'' in 1898
 |image_alt=A ship with two masts and two funnels at anchor
 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career
 |hide_header=
 |country= Peru
 |flag={{shipboxflag|Peru|naval}}
 |name= ''Lima''
 |namesake=
 |ordered=
 |builder= 
 |laid_down=
 |launched= December 1880
 |acquired=
 |commissioned=
 |completed= 1885
 |in_service= 1889
 |out_of_service= 1937
 |struck= 
 |reinstated=
 |homeport=
 |motto= 
 |nickname=
 |honours=
 |fate=
 |notes=
 }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
 |hide_header=(as completed)
 |header_caption=
 |class=''Lima''-class [cruiser](/source/cruiser)
 |displacement={{convert|1700|LT|t|abbr=on|lk=on}} ([normal](/source/Normal_displacement))
 |length={{convert|77.7|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
 |beam={{convert|10.67|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
 |draught={{convert|4.7|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
 |power=4 x coal-fired [Scotch boiler](/source/Scotch_boiler)s, {{convert|1800|ihp|kW|abbr=on|lk=on}}
 |propulsion=2 x [compound engine](/source/compound_engine)s driving 2 [shafts](/source/Propeller_(ship))
 |speed={{convert|16.2|kn|lk=in|abbr=on}}
 |range=
 |complement=150
 |armament=*2 × {{convert|6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} [Armstrong gun](/source/Armstrong_gun)s
           *3 × {{convert|47|mm|in|abbr=on}} [3 pdr Nordenfelt](/source/QF_3-pounder_Nordenfelt) guns
 |notes=
 }}
}}
'''''Lima''''' was the [lead ship](/source/lead_ship) of what was to be a two-ship class of [unprotected cruiser](/source/unprotected_cruiser)s for the [Peruvian Navy](/source/Peruvian_Navy), but ended up being the sole member of the class. Originally to be named ''Socrates'' and constructed as a [merchant ship](/source/merchant_ship) in Germany, the ship was purchased by Peru during the [War of the Pacific](/source/War_of_the_Pacific) and converted to a warship in England. The sale was complex, involving subterfuge to get around embargoes on the purchase of armed vessels by belligerent countries, and was only completed after the war's conclusion. On [commissioning](/source/Ship_commissioning), the cruiser was the largest vessel in the Peruvian fleet. Initially armed with two {{convert|6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} guns, the ship's main armament was replaced in 1901 with {{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on|0}} guns. The ship was [mobilised](/source/Mobilization) in 1910 in response to the threat of war with [Ecuador](/source/Ecuador). In 1920, the ship was [refit](/source/refit)ted in Panama and subsequently operated as a [transport](/source/Troopship) and [submarine depot](/source/Submarine_tender). The vessel briefly saw service in the [Colombia–Peru War](/source/Colombia%E2%80%93Peru_War) in 1933 as a [floating battery](/source/floating_battery) and was discarded in 1937.

==Design and development==
On 14 February 1879, the [Chilean](/source/Chilean_Navy) [ironclad](/source/ironclad)s {{ship|Chilean ironclad|Almirante Cochrane||2}} and {{ship|Chilean ironclad|Blanco Encalada||2}} entered [Antofagasta](/source/Antofagasta) and initiated the [War of the Pacific](/source/War_of_the_Pacific), between [Chile](/source/Chile) and a [Bolivian–Peruvian alliance](/source/Treaty_of_Defensive_Alliance_(Bolivia%E2%80%93Peru)).{{sfn|Sondhaus|2004|page=145}} As the war ensued, the Peruvian government attempted to source new warships from Europe and discovered two suitable [merchant vessels](/source/Merchant_ship) under construction in Germany for a Portuguese client. It was claimed that the ships were ordered by the Greek government but under suspicion that the order may have come from Peru, which was a belligerent country, and that the ships were to be armed, the German government detained the ships. The Peruvian authorities then attempted to get the ships sold to the firm of Henry Lambert in London, under the subterfuge that the client was the French government. Once again, Peruvian influence was suspected and the ships were again retained.{{sfn|Grant|2007|page=121}} At the end of the war, the bankrupt Peruvian government could no longer afford two large vessels. One, the planned ''Diogenes'', was sold to finance the other, which was completed as ''Lima''.{{sfn|English|1984|page=381}} ''Diogenes'' was to have been named ''Callao'' in Peruvian service but eventually, in 1898, became the [US Navy](/source/US_Navy) [gunboat](/source/gunboat) {{USS|Topeka|PG-35|2}}.{{sfn|Silverstone|2013|page=71}}

As completed. ''Lima'' was a [unprotected cruiser](/source/unprotected_cruiser) built of iron with a straight [bow](/source/Bow_(watercraft)).  [Displacing](/source/Displacement_(ship)) {{convert|1700|t|lk=on}}, the vessel had an [overall length](/source/length_overall) of {{convert|77.7|m|ftin|abbr=on}} and a [beam](/source/beam_(nautical)) of {{convert|10.67|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} at the [waterline](/source/waterline). [Draught](/source/draft_(ship)) was {{convert|4.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}} forward and {{convert|4.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [aft](/source/aft).{{sfn|Rodríguez Asti|2000|page=72}} Mean draught was {{convert|4.7|m|ftin|abbr=on}} at [deep load](/source/deep_load). Power was provided by [compound](/source/Compound_engine) [marine steam engine](/source/marine_steam_engine)s with horizontally mounted cylinders that drove two [propeller shaft](/source/propeller_shaft)s. The engine was rated at {{convert|1800|ihp|lk=on}}.{{sfn|Lyon|1979|page=419}} Steam was provided by two double-ended and two single-ended [Scotch boiler](/source/Scotch_boiler)s.{{sfn|The Panama Canal Record|1920|page=1}} They vented through two [funnel](/source/Funnel_(ship))s and were powered by [coal](/source/coal), with {{convert|335|t}} of fuel carried. The engines gave a design speed of {{convert|16.2|kn|1}}. This was complemented by a two-masted [schooner](/source/schooner) rig.{{sfn|Lyon|1979|page=419}}{{sfn|Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping|1892|page=44}}  As originally envisaged, the vessel would have been rigged as a [brig](/source/brig).{{sfn|Silverstone|2013|page=71}}

''Lima'' was completed as a [cruiser](/source/cruiser) with an armament of two single {{convert|6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}  [Armstrong](/source/Armstrong_gun) [rifled breech loading](/source/Rifled_breech_loader) guns and three single {{convert|47|mm|in|abbr=on}} [Nordenfelt 3-pounder](/source/QF_3-pounder_Nordenfelt) guns. The main armament was mounted in single mounts fore and aft behind shields.{{sfn|Lyon|1979|page=419}} The vessel was later rearmed in 1901. The main armament was replaced by Vickers [{{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on|0}}](/source/BL_4-inch_Mk_VIII_naval_gun) [quick-firing gun](/source/quick-firing_gun)s and an additional five 3-pounder guns were mounted.{{sfn|Rodríguez Asti|2000|page=72}} Each main gun weighed {{convert|1.7|t}} and could propel a {{convert|31|lb|abbr=on}} shell at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|2950|ft/s|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Friedman|2011|page=315}} The cruiser had a [complement](/source/ship's_complement) of 150 sailors of all ranks.{{sfn|Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping|1892|page=44}}

==Construction and career==
''Lima'' was originally constructed by [Howaldts](/source/Howaldtswerke-Deutsche_Werft) of [Kiel](/source/Kiel), Germany as a merchant ship and named ''Socrates''.{{sfn|Grant|2007|page=121}} The vessel was [launched](/source/ceremonial_ship_launching) in December 1880.{{sfn|Rodríguez Asti|2000|page=72}} Purchased by the Chilean government in 1881, the vessel was initially to be converted into a gunboat and renamed by the German firm but this proved impossible due to restrictions placed on Peru as a belligerent nation.{{sfn|Rodríguez Asti|2000|page=55}} In 1882, the Japanese government approached the Chilean government to potentially purchase the vessel, along with [sister ship](/source/sister_ship) ''Diogenese'', for 1,2287,160 [Japanese yen](/source/Japanese_yen) but this was turned down.{{sfn|Milanovich|2004|pages=53–54}} Instead, the vessel was transferred to Britain and conversion to a cruiser was completed by [Thames Ironworks](/source/Thames_Ironworks_and_Shipbuilding_Company).{{sfn|Arnold|2000|page=110}} The vessel was completed in 1885 once the War of the Pacific had finished but, due to financial constraints, did not enter service until 1889.{{sfn|English|1984|page=381}}{{sfn|Rodríguez Asti|2000|page=7}}

On [commissioning](/source/Ship_commissioning), ''Lima'' became the navy's [flagship](/source/flagship) and remained the largest ship in the navy for more than twenty years.{{sfn|Sondhaus|2004|page=146}} The vessel was based in [Callao](/source/Callao) and formed the core of the Peruvian fleet ({{lang|es|Escuadra}}) under the Callao Maritime Department.{{sfn|Stoker|McMaster|2017|page=69}} Due to the threat of a war with Ecuador on 4 April 1910, the cruiser was briefly [mobilised](/source/Mobilization) but there was no conflict and so the vessel saw no action.{{sfn|Noel|1910|page=14}} The vessel was fitted with [wireless telegraphy](/source/wireless_telegraphy) by [Guillermo Wiese de Osma](/source/Guillermo_Wiese_de_Osma) in 1911.{{sfn|Noel|1911|page=43}} In November 1919, the vessel was taken to at [Balboa](/source/Balboa%2C_Panama) in the [Panama Canal Zone](/source/Panama_Canal_Zone) for repairs, including rebuilding the boilers and fitting a new wireless telegraph, the previous one having been previously removed. The work was completed on 8 March 1920 and the vessel sailed back to Callao.{{sfn|The Panama Canal Record|1920|page=1}} The warship was subsequently used as a [transport](/source/Troopship) and then as a [submarine depot](/source/Submarine_tender).{{sfn|Lyon|1979|page=419}}

In May 1933, the warship, now acting as a gunboat, was briefly deployed during the [Colombia–Peru War](/source/Colombia%E2%80%93Peru_War). Along with the similarly outdated [destroyer](/source/destroyer) ''[Teniente Rodriguez](/source/French_destroyer_Act%C3%A9)'', the gunboat sailed through the [Panama Canal](/source/Panama_Canal) and up the [Amazon River](/source/Amazon_River) to [Iquitos](/source/Iquitos) to act as a [floating battery](/source/floating_battery).{{sfn|Scheina|1987|page=122}}{{sfn|English|1984|page=382}}{{sfn|Rodríguez Asti|2000|page=67}} This proved to be one of the last voyages of significance the vessel was to take. ''Lima'' was retired in 1937 and sold to be [broken up](/source/Ship_breaking) in 1940.{{sfn|Rodríguez Asti|2000|page=72}}{{sfn|Lyon|1979|page=419}}

==Citations==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
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*{{cite book | last=Lyon | first=Huge | chapter=Minor Navies: Morocco, Paraguay, Persia, Peru | title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905 | editor1-last=Chesneau | editor1-first=Roger | editor2-last=Kolesnik | editor2-first=Eugene M. | publisher=Conway Maritime Press | location=Greenwich, UK | year=1979 | isbn= 978-0-85177-133-5 | name-list-style=amp | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/conwaysallworlds0000unse_l2e2 | pages=418–419}}
*{{cite book |last1=Milanovich |first1=Kathrin |editor1-last=Preston |editor1-first=Antony |title=Warship 2004 |date=2004 |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |location=London |isbn=978-0-85177-948-5 |pages=29–56 |chapter=''Naniwa'' and ''Takachiho'': Elswick-built Protected Cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy|editor-link=Antony Preston}}
*{{cite journal | last=Noel | first=John Vavasour | title=The Clash Between Peru and Ecuador | date=April 1910 | volume=II | number=2 | pages=10–17 | journal=Peru To-day | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Ug9AQAAMAAJ}}
*{{cite journal | last=Noel | first=John Vavasour | title=Callao Correspondence | date=March 1911 | volume=III | number=1 | page=43 | journal=Peru To-day | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=cndQAQAAIAAJ}}
*{{cite book | title=Particulars of the War Ships of the World | location=London | publisher=Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping | year=1892 | edition=10 | url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.hn6nur&seq=7 | oclc=894220775 | ref={{harvid|Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping|1892}}}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lima}}
Category:1881 ships
Category:Cruisers of the Peruvian Navy
Category:Ships built in Kiel

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Peruvian cruiser Lima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peruvian_cruiser_Lima) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peruvian_cruiser_Lima?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.
