HMS Warrior

This image is of HMS Warrior a 40-gun steam-powered armoured frigate launched in 1860. She was the first armour-plated, iron-hulled warship, built in response to the launch in 1859 of the wooden-hulled Gloire by France, the first ocean-going ironclad warship. She spent her active career with the Channel Squadron before becoming obsolete in 1873 when the mastless and more capable HMS Devastation was  commissioned. Warrior was placed in reserve in 1875, and was decommissioned in 1883.

She then served as a storeship and depot ship, and in 1904 was assigned to the Royal Navy's torpedo training school. In 1927 the ship was converted into an oil jetty and remained in that role until 1979 when she was donated by the Navy to The Maritime Trust for restoration. Her features and fittings were restored or recreated over 8 years, following which she returned to Portsmouth as a museum ship.

© 2008-2024 David Hayes (Astrodene)