HMS Temeraire Central Battery / Barbette Ship.  Photos and History of HMS Temeraire, Built at Chatham naval Dockyard and  launched  9th May 1876. she was completed 31st august 1877. HMS Temeraire was a battery ship with the usual arrangement of having two 11 inch MLR Guns, this were situated in barbettes on her upper deck.   The 11 inch guns used, were initially designed for fortifications and not for ships, but worked by being loaded behind armour then being raised above the barbette for firing.. The guns recoil sent it down for re-loading.  this arrangement although  different to the usual barbette gun did give added protection to its crew and gun.  HMS Temeraire was the only ship to have this arrangement of gun as it was expensive and very heavy.  In 1882 HMS Temeraire participated in the Bombardment of Alexandria. but in 9102 she was relegated to Harbour service duties and in 1904 renamed HMS Indus II and in 1915 to HMS  Akbar finally broken up in 1921.

Displacement: 8540 tons,  Speed: 14.6 knots, Compliment: 580  Armament: Two 11 inch MLR guns  Four 10 inch MLR,  Four 20 pdr Breach Loaders  and 2TL

HMS Temeraire, 1888.

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HMS Temeraire, 1877

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Artist's Impression of HMS Temeraire 'Beating up to Suda Bay to Meet the Fleet.'

Contributed by David Gilhen.

Augustus Gilhen, HMS Cambridge.

Augustus Gilhen, photographed probably during gunnery training at HMS Cambridge, c.1888.  Joined HMS Temeraire soon after.

Contributed by David Gilhen.