HMS Barfleur - Name History

The third “Barfleur” was a 14-gun twin-screw battleship, launched at Chatham in 1892.  She was of 10,500 tons, 13,163 horsepower, and 18.5 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 360ft, 70ft, and 25ft.  In 1897 the “Barfleur,” commanded by Captain Reginald Neville Custance, was employed in the pacification of the Island of Crete, which led to the appointment of Prince Charles of Greece as High Commissioner, under the suzerainty of the Sultan of Turkey.  Captain Custance received the C.M.G. as a reward for his services.  In 1900 the “Barfleur” commanded by Captain George Warrender, and flying the flag of rear Admiral James Andrew Bruce, took part in the third china War or boxer Rebellion.  On June 9^th a detachment from the “Barfleur” commanded by commander David Beatty, proceeded in a Naval Brigade nearly 2000 strong, and of mixed nationalities, under Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Seymour, to the relief of Peking.  This expedition went through some very severe fighting, and before withdrawing suffered a loss of 2 officers and 63 men killed, and 20 officers and 210 men wounded.  Commander Beatty showed conspicuous gallantry, and was twice wounded on this and subsequent occasions.  A detachment from the “Barfleur” on June 17^th formed part of the naval brigade of mixed nationalities, consisting of 35 officers and 869 men under Commander Christopher Cradock of the “Alacrity,” which attacked and captured the Taku Forts.  The British lost 1 killed and 13 wounded, the slain man being an ordinary seaman of the “Barfleur.”  Commander Cradock mentioned Midshipmen Lionel Shore and Charles Dix as having distinguished themselves in this attack.  A detachment from the “Barfleur” assisted in the relief, defence, and capture of Tientsin, and lost 2 officers and 7 men killed, and 8 officers and 48 men wounded.  During these operations Midshipman Basil John Guy of the “Barfleur” coolly attended a wounded man under a very hot fire, and then helped to carry him into shelter, for which act he was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross.  In August the “Barfleur” contributed a number of officers and men to the British Naval Brigade which advanced to the final and satisfactory relief of Peking with 20,100 troops under Lieutenant-General sir Alfred Gaselee.  In 1910 this battleship was sold at Portsmouth for £26,550.

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP181

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP182

Original Photographic image from quality magazine published in 1896 image  size 10" x 8" approx , plus title and specifications. price £20 plus £3 post for UK £10 overseas, recorded airmail  order number ANV1163 order photograph here

HMS Barfleur, November, 1895

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