View on Portsmouth Naval Base from the Spinnaker Tower. HMS Warrior

Valentina72, on May 1, 2008, said:

Warrior began active service most inauspiciously. She froze to the slipway when she was launched on December 29th 1860 during the coldest winter for 50 years. Frozen snow covered the dockyard and Thames braziers blazed down the ship's sides but when Sir John Pakington, First Lord of the Admiralty, came to do the honors, she refused to budge.

Extra tugs and hydraulic rams pulled her while hundreds of men ran from side to side on her upper deck, trying to rock her free. After 20 minutes, she finally gave way. Sir John smashed a bottle of wine over her bow with the words "God speed the Warrior"

Valentina72, on May 1, 2008, said:

Overall Length: 418 feet (128 metres) Length Inside: 380 feet (116 metres) Beam (Width): 58 feet (18 metres) Completed Weight: 9,210 tons Draught: 26 feet (8 metres) Normal Maximum Speed: 13 knots under sail 14.5 knots under steam Main Armament: 26 muzzle-loading 68 pounders (31 kgs) 10 breech-loading 110 pounders (50 kgs) Cost including guns and coal: £390,000 Crew: 42 officers 3 warrant officers 455 seaman and boys 3 Royal Marine officers 6 Royal Marine NCOs 118 Royal Marine artillerymen 2 chief engineers 10 engineers 66 stokers and trimmers Total complement: 705 men

Valentina72, on May 1, 2008, said:

dear haryy1, thank you for the comment you left.