Phaeton (carriage) Phaeton (carriage) A phaeton (also phaéton) was a form of sporty open carriage popular in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Drawn by one or two horses, a phaeton typically featured a minimal very lightly sprung body atop four extravagantly large wheels. With open seating, it was both fast and dangerous, giving rise to its name, drawn from the mythical Phaëton, son of Helios, who nearly set the earth on fire while attempting to drive the chariot of the sun. With the advent of the automobile, the term was adapted to open touring cars, also known as phaetons. The
HMS Phaeton (1883) "Iowa" coming up the straits approaching Victoria (British Columbia) in a dense fog. The July 1898 Navy List listed her commissioned and warrant officers as follows: "Phaeton" was re-commissioned at Esquimalt (Canada) on 10 October 1900, to serve on Pacific Station. In July 1902 she visited Acapulco, and the following month she was at Panama. She paid off on 28 April 1903. This commission was the subject of a book in the 'Log' series, entitled: "HMS Phaeton, Pacific Station, 1900–1903". The March 1901 Navy List listed her commissioned and warrant officers as follows: The "Phaeton" did harbour service at Devonport