AGAMEMNON CLASS TURRET SHIPS           

Planned with the possible employment against Russia in the Baltic or the Black Sea, these smaller but similar Turret Ships to HMS Inflexible had a shallow draught. These were unsatisfactory ships and probably built with economics in mind more than naval usefulness. HMS Agamemnon and HMS Ajax were the last major British ships to have Muzzle loading main armament but the first to have secondary armament, both being equipped with two six inch breach loading guns. these 6 inch guns were replace din in 1897 with 6 inch Quick Firing guns.  Both of these ships were designed without a sailing rig compared to HMS Inflexible which was.. Major problems arose at high speed as they were difficult to keep on course which made them dangerous. some modification were made increasing the length of the stern but this did not help the situation, both ships were poor sea boats and during bad weather became very wet and uncomfortable for the crew 

HMS Agamemnon was built at Chatham Dockyard and  laid down on the 9th May 1987 , launched  17th September 1879 and completed  on the 29th march 1883.and finally broken up in 1903

HMS Ajax was built at Pembroke Dock yard and laid down on the 21st March 1876, launched 10th march 1880 and completed 30th march 1883. and finally broken up in 1904

Displacement: 8510 tons, Speed: 13 Knots  Compliment 345. Armament: Four 12-inch Muzzle loaders, in pairs,  two 6 - inch Beach Loaders, and Six 6 pounder Quick Firers.  and two torpedo Tubes.

The third “Agamemnon” was a twin-screw 4-gun turret ship, launched at Chatham in1879.  She was of 8490 tons, 6000 horsepower, and 13 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 280ft., 66ft., and 24ft.

           This ship was one of a type specially built to allow of their passage through the Suez Canal.  On going through in 1885, however, she ran aground many times and held up the traffic for several days.  She eventually got through to China, and under the command of Captain Samuel Long, she shadowed the Russian flagship “Vladimir Monomach” at a time of national crisis.

           In 1888 the “Agamemnon” commanded by Captain Charles Searle Cardale, was one of a fleet in “Boadicea,” which took part in the blockade of the Zanzibar Littoral .

           This was undertaken in the interests of the suppression of the slavery, and partly in consequence of the revolt of the several of the coast towns against German authority. 

HMS Agamemnon.

HMS Ajax, 1880.

HMS Ajax, 1883

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP126

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HMS Ajax, 1883

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP125

HMS Ajax at Greenock.