HMS Minotaur, a 14,600-ton armored cruiser built by the Devonport Dockyard, was commissioned in March 1908. The lead ship of a class of three, she represented the last British armored cruiser design, as the type was superceeded by the considerably more powerful (and expensive) battle cruiser. Minotaur initially served with the Home Fleet and, in 1910, deployed to the China Station as flagship. Still in the Far East when World War I began in August 1914, she participated in early combat operations against German Asian and Pacific interests, sinking one merchant ship, bombarding the radio station at Yap, and conducting patrols to counter German cruiser operations in the region. Later in 1914 she escorted convoys carrying Australian troops to the Middle East.
Early in 1915 Minotaur arrived back in the British Isles, where she was refitted and then joined the Grand Fleet. She was present during the great Battle of Jutland at the end of May 1916 and, unlike others of her type, emerged from this intense fight without casualties. She remained in the North Sea area until the War's conclusion in November 1918. Afterwards placed in reserve, HMS Minotaur was sold for scrapping in 1920.
This page features all the views we have concerning the British armored cruiser Minotaur.
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.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 10 May 2006