HECTOR CLASS IRONCLADS

The hector class Broadside ironclads, HMS Hector and HMS Valiant.  were very similar to the Defence class except they were faster, and had larger armament and increased armour protection. Due to the increase of armour and armament they were overweight and a reduction of coal capacity and a reduction in the armament were implemented to reduce weight.

HMS Hector was built at Glasgow by Napier and laid down in March 1861, launched 29th September 1862 and completed 22nd February 1864.  HMS Hector was re armed during refit of 1867/1868. after her service at sea finished in 1885 HMS Hector joined the Vernon Torpedo School in 1900. and was the first Ship to be fitted with a wireless transmitter. Finally scrapped in 1905.

HMS Valiant was initial built by Westwood and Bailiie until the company went bankrupted  in 1961, work was completed by The Thames iron works. HMS Valiant was laid down in February 1861 and launched 14th October 1863 and completed 15th September 1868. her sea service ended in 1886 and was renamed Indus in 1898. again changing her name in 1916 to HMS Valiant (Old) and HMS Valiant III in 1919. Later becoming  a floating oil tank in 1924. and finally being broken up in 1957 (99 years in service one way or another)

Displacement: 6710 tons,  Speed. 12.6 Knots. Compliment: 530  Armament:  after refit. Two 8 inch Guns and Sixteen 7 - inch guns.

HMS Hector

HMS Hector was built at Glasgow by Napier and laid down in March 1861, launched 29th September 1862 and completed 22nd February 1864.  HMS Hector was re armed during refit of 1867/1868. after her service at sea finished in 1885 HMS Hector joined the Vernon Torpedo School in 1900. and was the first Ship to be fitted with a wireless transmitter. Finally scrapped in 1905.

HMS Hector, 1864.

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HMS Hector, 1864.

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HMS Valiant

HMS Valiant was initial built by Westwood and Bailiie until the company went bankrupted  in 1961, work was completed by The Thames iron works. HMS Valiant was laid down in February 1861 and launched 14th October 1863 and completed 15th September 1868. her sea service ended in 1886 and was renamed Indus in 1898. again changing her name in 1916 to HMS Valiant (Old) and HMS Valiant III in 1919. Later becoming  a floating oil tank in 1924. and finally being broken up in 1957 (99 years in service one way or another)

HMS Valiant. Photo published 1897

HMS Valiant, 1868.

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