The Town class light cruiser HMS ENCOUNTER, (CAPT B. M. Chambers, RN), was commissioned. ENCOUNTER was laid down in Devonport Dockyard on 28 January 1901, launched on 18 June 1902, and completed in December 1905. ENCOUNTER sailed in 1905 for service in the RN Australia Squadron, then was presented to the RAN for use as a seagoing training ship, pending completion of HMAS BRISBANE.