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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo # NH 61003:  British battleship Dreadnought entering harbor, probably prior to 1885

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- SHIPS of the BRITISH NAVY --

HMS Dreadnought (Battleship, 1879-1908. Launched 1875)

HMS Dreadnought, a 10,886-ton turret ironclad battleship was built at Pembroke Dockyard, England. 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 page features all our views of the British battleship Dreadnought (1879-1908).

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 61003

HMS Dreadnought
(British Battleship, launched 1875)

Entering harbor, probably prior to 1885.
Note paddle tug following, with several barges in tow.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 590 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 61004

HMS Dreadnought
(British Battleship, launched 1875)

In a British port while she was fitted with Nordenfelt machine guns (visible abaft the bridge), probably after returning from the Mediterranean in 1894.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 86KB; 740 x 590 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 88835

HMS Dreadnought
(British Battleship, launched 1875)

In dry dock while under refit, with a Jumna class troopship in the right background. Date may be prior to 1885, when she was fitted with Nordenfelt machine guns on both sides of the flying deck abaft the bridge.
Note her ram bow.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 103KB; 520 x 765 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 19 February 2001
Coding updated 15 April 2001