HMS Dreadnought

Built at Pembroke Dockyard  and built as a larger version of HMS Devastation. HMS Dreadnaught was laid down on the 10th September 1870, launched 8th march 1875 and completed 15th February 1879. She was a popular ship in the navy. In 1884 a number of Machine guns were added and these were later replaced in 1894 by six  6 pounder Quick Firing guns and ten  ten 3 pounder Quick Firing guns.  HMS Dreadnaught had a refit in 1898 when she had larger funnels and was re-boilered. She continued in service until 1900 when she was re classified as a second class battleship and in 1902 she was used for harbour duties and placed in reserve in 1905 and finally scrapped  in 1908.

Displacement: 10,886 tons, Speed 14.5 knots, range 5,700 miles at 10 knots, compliment: 369.  Armament: four 12 - inch MLR in two pairs.  plus six 6 pounder and 10 three pounder QF guns.

HMS Dreadnought - Name History

The eighth ?DREADNOUGHT? was a 4-gun twin-screw turret ship launched at Pembroke in 1875.  She was of 10,820 tons, 8200 horse-power, and 14.5 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 320ft., 64ft., and 27ft.   This vessel?s original name was ?Fury,? but it was changed to ?Dreadnought? before completion.  From June 8^th, 1886, to April 20^th, 1888, H. R. H. Prince George of Wales, now His Most Gracious Majesty King George the fifth, served in this ship as a Lieutenant, with the exception of two short periods- August 1^st, 1886, to September 16^th, 1886, when he was lent to the ?Thunder,? and May 20^th, 1887, to July 1^st, 1887, when he served in the ?Alexandra.? In 1899 HMS Dreadnought had a refit where extra machine guns were mounted and the funnels were raised.  In 1903, the black, white and buff livery was changed to grey.  She went into reserve at Hamoaze for her final years and in 1908 the ?Dreadnought? was sold at Portsmouth.  

HMS Dreadnought, in Malta Harbour.  Behind is the Indian troop ship Serapis.

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HMS Dreadnought, 1879.

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HMS Dreadnought, 1879.

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HMS Dreadnought pictured pre 1896

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HMS Dreadnought, 1879.

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