Ship Cover for the Sharpshooter class torpedo gunboats HMS Assaye (1890), HMS Gleaner (1890), HMS Gossamer (1890), HMS Plassey (1890), HMS Salamander (1889), HMS Seagull (1889), HMS Sharpshooter (1888), HMS Sheldrake (1889), HMS Skipjack (1889), HMS Spanker (1889), HMS Speedwell (1889), HMS Boomerang (1889) and HMS Karakatta (1889). The documentation mainly relates to statements of dimensions and hull weights, weights of stores, design proposals in terms of attainable speed and weapons load, appraisals of contemporary torpedo gunboats including the Russian torpedo vessel Wiborg (1886) and the Spanish Destructor (1886), stability calculations, reports of the gun trials demonstrating the superiority of the 4.7-inch QF gun over the 4-inch BL gun, machinery and propeller arrangements, constructional details, crew complement, armament, ammunition allowance, fittings, costs, mast and yard details and trial reports. Further papers deal with the details of the colonial Sharpshooters, and include a document concerning the ships of the newly formed Australian Auxiliary Squadron as planned in 1889, proposed modifications to the class, reports from the cruises of the Boomerang, Gleaner and Karakatta in 1891 and assessments of the class capabilities as of 1892 in relation to the design requirements. The earliest documents date from November 1886 at the outset of the design phase and ends in March 1909 when the surviving vessels were converted for minesweeping or harbour/training service.