Sappho spent most of her career in active colonial service and already required repair after grounding at Durban in 1901. In 1909 a steamer struck her in thick fog off Dungeness, opening a hole roughly two and a half meters by two meters below the waterline and flooding the engine room. Tugs kept the cruiser from sinking and brought her to Chatham. Her return to service within six days is presented as evidence of sound construction and a hull capable of surviving serious local damage.
Notable Point · 37:14-39:03
Sappho survives flooding and returns quickly to service
A collision opened a large hole below Sappho's waterline and flooded the engine room, yet tug assistance and repair returned the cruiser to service within days.