HMS Alexandra
Original Photographic image from
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In 1878 the Alexandra commanded by Captain Robert Fitzroy and flying
the flag of Vice-Admiral Geoffrey Hornby, was at the head of six ships
which cleared for action and proceeded through the Dardanelles to
Constantinople to protect British interests during the conflict between
Russia and Turkey. The Turks did not obstruct the passage of the ships,
and no fighting took place. During the entry the Alexandra took the
ground, but was got off without damage, and she was told off to attack the
heavy 50 ton gun at the entrance if there had been any fighting. It was
fortunate that the Turks did not fire, for it might have been impossible
to save the stranded flagship. The Sultan which, appropriately enough, was
commanded by Captain His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, K.G.,
turned back and gave such assistance as was necessary, to enable the
Alexandra to be promptly refloated. Vice-Admiral Hornby was awarded with a
KCB for his tactful management of the situation.
In July 1882 the Alexandra, commanded by Captain Charles Frederick
Hotham, and flying the flag of Admiral Sir Frederick Beauchamp Seymour,
lay at Alexandra at the head of a fleet of 14 ships. On July 11th the
Alexandra fired the first shot of the bombardment of Alexandria at 7 am,
the Egyptians having refused to surrender the forts. Owing to the
flagship's draught of water, Sir Beauchamp Seymour had temporarily
transferred his flag to the Invincible, but the Alexandra was stationed
1500 yards from Lighthouse Fort. All ships were cleared for action,
topgallantmasts being struck and bowsprits rigged in. By 7.10 am all ships
were engaged, and all the forts that could bring their guns to bear
replied with vigour. By 5pm all guns ashore had been silenced, and the
fleet ceased bombarding at 5.30 pm. The Alexandra received a 10 inch shell
through an unarmoured portion of her side, which lodged on the main deck
with the fuse burning. Gunner Israel Harding flung some water over it, and
then picked up the shell and immersed it in a tub of water. For this act
he was promoted to chief gunner and received the Victoria Cross. The
British casualties were 5 killed and 28 wounded, to which the Alexandra
contributed 1 killed and 3 wounded. The Egyptian loss has never been
properly ascertained, but it is believed to have been about 150 killed and
400 wounded out of the 2000 men engaged in working the forts. The
Alexandra had 24 hits from shot or shell outside her armour, and was
struck in all about 60 times.
The men from the Alexandra then assisted in the occupation and
policing of the town. Midshipman D R DeChair of this ship, while carrying
despatches between Ras et Tin and Ramleh, lost his way, and fell into the
hands of the rebels. He was well treated by Arabi Pasha, but was not
liberated until the British Army occupied Cairo.
On 5th August the Alexandra contributed to a Naval Brigade which
left Alexandria in the armoured train commanded by Captain John Fisher, of
the Inflexible. Admiral Sir Beauchamp
Seymour and Flag-Lieutenant the Hon. Hedworth Lambton accompanied the
Brigade. The marines were de-trained about 800 yards from from Mehallet
Junction, and, assisted by a 40 pounder Armstrong gun, quickly dislodged
the enemy. During the evening the Brigade was exposed to a galling fire,
but the marines behaved with great gallantry and bore the brunt of the
attack. The casualties in this affair were 1 marine killed and 12 wounded,
and 1 seaman killed and 4 wounded. The Naval Brigade were then recalled to
their ships.
In August the Alexandra's marines assisted in the seizure and
control of the Suez Canal.
In September the Alexandra contributed men and machine guns to a
Naval Brigade - 250 strong- under Captain Robert Fitzroy, of the Orion,
which joined the army at Kassassin commanded by General Sir Garnet
Wolseley. On September 13th the army met the enemy at Tel-el-Kebir, and
defeated them with great slaughter. The marines attacked the Tel-el-Kebir
lines with great courage, engaged the enemy at hand-grips, and carried the
position. The Arabs broke and fled, and were pursued for 4 miles. The
marines lost 2 officers, 1 NCO, and 10 men killed and 4 officers and 43
men wounded. Lieutenant Wyatt Rawson RN, who was Naval ADC to Sir Garnet
Wolseley, was mortally wounded. A few days later the Naval Brigade were
withdrawn to their ships.
In 1885 the Alexandra contributed to a Naval Brigade which operated
on the Nile under Captain Lord Charles Beresford and took part in the
battles of Abu Klea, Metemmeh and Wad-Habeshi, and in the relief of Sir
Charles Wilson.
Admiral Sir Beauchamp was raised to the peerage as Baron Alcester
and Captain C F Hotham rewarded with a CB for their services.
From May 20th 1887 to July 1st 1887, and from April 21st 1888 to
November 5th 1888, HRH Prince George of Wales, later to become His Most Gracious
Majesty King George the Fifth, served in this ship as a lieutenant.
In 1890 the Alexandra was reconstructed, and re-rigged with fighting
tops, but she saw no more active service. In 1908 the Alexandra was sold
at Devonport.
Extracted from "The King's Ships" 1915 by Leckie
