HMS Dreadnought

Naval Database

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Dreadnought, 1875
Type: Turret ironclad battleship ; Armament 4 x 12.5-inch 38-ton muzzle-loadingin two twin turrets
Launched : 1875 ; Disposal date or year : Jul 1908
Displacement: 10886 tons
Complement: 369
Machinery notes: ; Speed ; 14.5 knots ;
Notes:
HMS Dreadnought, a 10,886-ton turret ironclad battleship was built at Pembroke Dockyard, Wales. Begun as Fury in 1870, the original design was recast and the renamed ship was laid down in 1872, launched in March 1875 and finally completed in 1879. She carried her four 12.5-inch 38-ton muzzle-loading guns in two twin turrets, and had a very heavily armored hull, low freeboard and no sailing rig. Her secondary armament was very light, though it varied in detail throughout her career. Despite their obsolescence, she retained her muzzle-loading big guns to the end of her days.

After completion, Dreadnought remained in reserve until 1884, when she was commissioned for service in the Mediterranean Sea. The battleship returned to British waters in 1894 and, after refit, served in 1895-97 as coastguard ship at Bantry Bay, Ireland. Dreadnought was partially modernized in 1897-99 and took part in British fleet maneuvers in 1900 and 1901 as a second-class battleship. From 1902, she served as a tender and depot ship. Placed out of service in 1905, she was sold for scrapping in July 1908.

This ship was originally to be called the Fury. Instead, the design was improved complete with artificial ventilation and 14 inch thick continuous armour. She spent ten years in the Mediterranean 1884 - 1894 and had HRH Prince Louis of Battenburg and HRH Prince George of Wales serve on her. The troopship behind Dreadnought in the picture is the Serapis.