(For other ships with the same name, see HMS Goldfinch.) HMS Goldfinch was a Redbreast-class gunboat of the Royal Navy, built at Sheerness Dockyard and launched on 18 May 1889. She commenced service on the Australia Station in March 1890. She left the Australia Station in August 1899 and returned to England. She was converted into a survey vessel in January 1902, and Commander F. C. Learmonth was appointed in command and commissioned her 4 February 1902. She left Sheerness for the Mediterranean later that month on surveying duties.