(For other ships with the same name, see HMS Daphne.) HMS Daphne was a Nymphe-class composite screw sloop and the fifth ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name. Developed and constructed for the Royal Navy on a design by William Henry White, Director of Naval Construction, she was launched at Sheerness Dockyard on 29 May 1888, It was the first command of Admiral Sir William Christopher Pakenham, KCB, KCMG, KCVO.