H.M.S. Bulwark (1899)
| H.M.S. Bulwark (1899) | |
|---|---|
| Pendant Number: | 95 (1914)[1] |
| Builder: | Devonport Royal Dockyard[2] |
| Ordered: | 1898-99 Programme[3] |
| Laid down: | 20 Mar, 1899 |
| Launched: | 18 Oct, 1899[4] |
| Commissioned: | 11 Mar, 1902 |
| Exploded: | 26 Nov, 1914[5] |
| Fate: | in Medway |
H.M.S. Bulwark was a pre-dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy.
Service
Bulwark commissioned at Devonport on 18 March, 1902, under Captain Frederick T. Hamilton, to relieve Royal Oak in the Mediterranean, where she would become flagship of the Commander-in-Chief.[6] On 1 May Admiral Sir Compton E. Domvile hoisted his flag in her, before going on leave.[7] She recommissioned at Devonport under Commander Edward M. Phillpotts, acting Flag Captain to Admiral Lord Charles Beresford. In May, 1905, Captain Osmond de B. Brock was appointed in command. Paid off in March, 1907, Bulwark was recommissioned as flagship of Rear-Admiral Frank Finnis, Rear-Admiral in the Nore Division, Home Fleet. Captain Bertram M. Chambers took command, with the crew from the paid-off battleship Resolution.
On 4 June, 1912, Captain Herbert Chatterton commissioned Bulwark at Chatham, for service in the Fifth Battle Squadron.[8]
Radio
At the end of 1909, she was to receive one of eleven Short Distance Radio Sets, to be installed at her next refit behind armour near the fore bridge, intended to supplant flag signaling.{ARTS1909|Wireless Appendix, p. 25}} In mid-1913, this gear was redesignated as Type 3.[9]
Torpedoes
In 1904, in a competition to investigate how rapidly submerged tubes could be fired four times sequentially, starting with the tube loaded and the bar out, the ship's crew was able to do this in 2 minute, 2 seconds, later improved to 1 minute 35 seconds. The best time was achieved by Cressy at 50.75 seconds, though 2:30 was more typical.[10]
Alterations
In 1913 it was approved that Bulwark receive a Mark III Dumaresq, Pattern 760. Having been supplied with the Mark III variant, she was to surrender a Mark I instrument.[11]
Captains
Dates of appointment are provided when known.
- Captain Frederick T. Hamilton, 18 March, 1902.[12]
- Commander (Acting Flag Captain) Edward M. Phillpotts, 24 February, 1905.[13]
- Captain Osmond de B. Brock, 1 May, 1905.[14]
- Captain Bertram M. Chambers, 12 February, 1907.[15]
- Captain Arthur C. Leveson, 3 January, 1908.[16]
- Captain Robert F. Scott, 30 May, 1908.[17]
- Captain Bentinck J. D. Yelverton, 24 March, 1909.[18]
- Captain Cunningham Robert de Clare Foot, 1 March, 1910.[19]
- Captain George P. W. Hope, 18 March, 1910.[20]
- Captain Edmund H. Smith, 25 March, 1911.[21]
- Captain Herbert Chatterton, 4 June, 1912.[22]
- Captain Guy L. Sclater, 17 November, 1913.[23]
Footnotes
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 30.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 30.
- ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 37.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 30.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 30.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 19 March, 1902. Issue 36719, col D, p. 8.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 2 May, 1902. Issue 36757, col C, p. 8.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 4 June, 1912. Issue 39916, col C, p. 6.
- ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 306 of 20 June, 1913.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1904. pp. 45-7.
- ↑ Admiralty Weekly Orders. "283.—Instruments, Rate of Change, Dumaresq, Mark III, Pattern 760—Supply of, to certain Ships." N.S. 2066/13.—6.6.1913. The National Archives. ADM 182/4.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 5 March, 1902. Issue 36707, col E, p. 5.
- ↑ Phillpotts Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 170.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 24 April, 1905. Issue 37689, col C, p. 8.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 11 February, 1907. Issue 38253, col E, p. 6.
- ↑ Leveson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 472.
- ↑ Scott Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 501.
- ↑ Yelverton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 135.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 14 February, 1910. Issue 39195, col C, p. 7.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 14 February, 1910. Issue 39195, col C, p. 7.
- ↑ Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 295.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 4 June, 1912. Issue 39916, col C, p. 6.
- ↑ The Navy List (December, 1914). p. 287.
Bibliography
- Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
- Parkes, O.B.E., Ass.I.N.A., Dr. Oscar (1990). British Battleships 1860–1950. London: Pen & Sword Ltd. ISBN 0850526043. (on Bookfinder.com).
- Preston, Antony (1972). Battleships of World War I. New York, NY: Galahad Books. ISBN 0883653001.
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