The ship carried a maximum of 900 long tons (910 t) of coal which was designed to give her a range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at a speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).

[1] Galatea, named for the eponymous figure from Greek legend,[3] was laid down on 21 April 1885 by Robert Napier and Sons at their shipyard in Govan, Glasgow.

[4] She held a continuous commission as coast guard ship at Humber district based at Hull from 3 May 1893 until February 1903.

[5] On 12 May 1894, a six-pounder blank round exploded when Galatea was saluting ships of the German fleet at Firth of Forth.

[6] On the night of 10/11 February 1898, Galatea was at anchor on the Humber when the steamer Marbella, carrying a cargo of racehorses, collided with the cruiser.