HMS Waterwitch, circa mid 1870,s. One of a unique group of 3 kind of experimental gunboats built for the RN. HMS Waterwitch was one of only three armoured gunboats built for the Royal Navy. Uniquely she was powered by Ruthven's "hydraulic propeller", making her the first ship to employ waterjets for propulsion.She was launched in 1866 and conducted comparative trials with her two sister ships. She was not employed operationally and was sold in 1890.