HMS POWERFUL Australian Station

Date1905-1911

Object number00001838

NamePhotograph

MediumSilver gelatin print

DimensionsOverall: 273 × 430 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift from Bill Brown

Terms

DescriptionA framed black and white photograph titled 'HMS POWERFUL, Australian Station'. The image depicts the Royal Navy powerful class cruiser in Sydney Harbour.HistoryHMS POWERFUL was built by the Naval Construction and Armaments Company in Barrow-in-Furness and launched on the 24th July 1895. It was one of the largest warships of the time and one of two built of the 'powerful class', the other being HMS TERRIBLE. It was a costly endeavour for the Navy to build the vessels but they proved popular with the public after becoming involved in the siege of Ladysmith during the Second Boer War in 1899. The action in South Africa would prove to be the career highlight of HMS POWERFIUL and she became the flag ship of the Royal Navy squadron of the Australia Station from 1905 to 1911. POWERFUL was the flag ship at the time of the visit of the United States Fleet (The Great White Fleet) in 1908. HMS POWERFUL was converted to a troopship in WWI and later renamed IMPREGNABLE 1919 and converted to a training ship until broken up in 1929.SignificanceHMS POWERFUL was the flag ship of the Australia Station from 1905 to 1911.