Minotaur Class ironclad HMS Northumberland  built 1863-66. Ships of the class were HMS Minotaur, HMS Agincourt and HMS Northumberland. These Broadside Ironclads were initially designed as 50 gun armoured frigates.  and they were similar to HMS Achilles except they were larger versions.

HMS Northumberland was built at Millwall Iron Works and laid down on the 10th October 1861, and completed on the 8th October 1868.  Due to the weight of the ship  HMS Northumberland got stuck on the slipway. onyl going down half way, so that only part of the ship was in the deep water. Tugs ahd hydrolic jacks had tried several times to move her over this period without success.  she spent over a month on slipway supported by pontoons and jacks.   by the time she eventually was afloat Millwall ironworks were in liquidation.  and the hull became a asset of the company for 8 months.  She was eventually handed over the to the Royal navy after the final payment had been made.  and the completion of the ship went ahead and was ready for service in the Channel Squadron in 1868.  HMS Northumberland along with her sister ship HMS Agincourt. toed the Bermuda Dock as far as Maderia. She served in the Channel squadron between 1868 till 1873.  On the 25th December 1872 at Funchal Roads. she collided with HMS Hercules and ripped open her underside. this was caused by faulty cables. Went into refit in 1875 until 1879 she was also re armed  with  seven 9 -inch MLR and twenty 8 inch MLR and four Whitehead Torpedo launchers.  she also had her second and fourth masts removed. at this time as well.  rejoined the Channel Squadron in 1879 until 1885.  went in for refit from 1885 till 1887. rejoined channel squadron in1 887 and relieved HMS Minataur  In 1890 went into reserve at Portland, moving into reserve at Devonport in 1891. until 1898 when she became a training ship for Stockers at Nore between 1898 and 1909 under the name of Acheron.  In 1909 converted to Coal Hulk CD.68  later changing to C.8  Sold in 1928. 

HMS Northumberland

HMS Northumberland, 1868.

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HMS Northumberland, 1868.

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HMS Northumberland, 1879.

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HMS Northumberland, 1868.

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HMS Northumberland.

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Commander C E Tower and the officers of the training ship HMS Northumberland c.1901

From left to right: Back row - G Edbrook, Boatswain; S Ayres, Gunner; H E A Burridge, Boatswain; W Wood, Boatswain; E W Hurst, Boatswain; Lieutenant J O'Hatcher. Front Row - J T H Ward, Chief Engineer; Commander C E Tower; Lieutenant P M Riadore; Rev. J E Hogan.

The Gun Deck of HMS Northumberland, 1897.

Photographed in 1897. a long line of Broadside guns. These 8 - inch muzzle loading Riffled guns  (9 tons) and a couple of  9 - inch guns of twelve tons.