Service history
Tejo went into service in 1904, but tests were continued on it until 1906. The initial armament consisted of one 100 mm (3.9 in) gun, one 65 mm (2.6 in) gun, four 47 mm (1.9 in) guns and two torpedo tubes. However, during tests, its broad range of roles limited its effectiveness overall. The decision was then made to transform Tejo completely into a destroyer.
After the First Portuguese Republic was established, the ship was recommissioned as NRP Tejo.
In 1910, Tejo accidentally ran aground in Peniche and suffered severe damage. Five years later, in 1915, the ship was taken to port to be converted completely to a destroyer. These changes were completed in 1917 and the ship became a full-fledged destroyer. It retained most of its armament, only swapping the 65 mm gun for a 76 mm (3.0 in) gun. While undergoing tests, Tejo proved to be the fastest ship of the Portuguese Navy.
Tejo was scrapped in 1927.
This was the second ship in Portugal's history to bear the name Tejo. A gunboat in 1868 was the first and a destroyer of the Vouga class - launched in 1935 - was the third.
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NRP Tejo was one of five Douro-class destroyer built for the Portuguese Navy during the 1930s. She remained in service until 1965.
Portugal