Unidentified photos of ships of the world's navies.  Many of the photos we receive have little or no information about them and so they are placed here in the hope that some of our visitors can help to identify them.  Many photographs have already come and gone from this page having been positively identified, so many thanks if you have contributed information.  However, we receive more of these photographs all the time, so please keep checking back. Many photographs kindly submitted by Tony Davies.  Please contact us at 

cranston@onetel.net 

[ Unidentified RN Cruisers ]

Unknown (presumably British but not certain) damaged ship in dry dock, Hong Kong, between 1910 and 1912.  

The same unknown ship as shown in close-up opposite.

Unknown (British?) torpedo cruiser or similar.

HMS Bruiser - Coast Defence.

Unlisted ship?

Unknown Monitor, possibly Lord Clive or Abercrombie Class.

Unknown Submarine passing Russian cruiser Rurik.

Unknown Russian Destroyer.

Unknown Russian Destroyer.

Unknown Russian Destroyer.

Unknown (probably merchant) vessel aground off Suez, c.1900.

The ship does not seem to have any armament so is most likely a non-naval vessel.  Photo was with several of c.1900 British Mediterranean Fleet photos.

Submarine B6 at Portsmouth.

Either HMS Skate (F62 January 1917 - January 1918) or HMS Skilful (F62 after January 1918)

Thanks to Carl Proctor

Possibly the Cable ship Enterprise   - Possible survey ship but if you can help us with further information on this ship e-mail us. 

Unknown (British) Submarine.  Photo taken from HMS Shropshire, 1931.

Unknown Barquentine.

HMS Undine.  Screw Yacht, Flagship, Sheerness

HMS Undine started life in the Royal Navy as the third HMS Wildfire (ex Hiawatha) Steam Yacht Tender.  453 tons.  162ft x 18.5ft x 18.5ft.  Built in Leith.  Re named Wildfire and commissioned by the Navy in 1888 for harbour service at Sheerness.  In 1889 she was commissioned as the Flagship to Commander-in-Chief The Nore to replace "Duncan".  Renamed Undine in January 1907.  Sold 9th July 1912.   Her commads were as follows:  

1889 - 1890.  Captain - Lieut E.J. Sanderson.

Flagship T.B. Lethbridge (April 1889)

Flagship C.T. Curme (August, 1890).

1897 - 1901 Staff Commader E.W.G. Hilliard (August 1897)

Flagship Sir W. Kennedy (Septmber 1900)

Many thanks to Robin Boulby for this information.

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code PHX136

Launch of HMS Dreadnought

Unknown Submarine.

Unknown (possibly Canadian) corvette.

US Cassin Class Destroyer

Thanks to Bob Harmer.

British Battleship (Revenge Class?) saluting at Malta.

HMS Renown

unknown4

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code PHX246

HMS Implacable of HMS Indefatigable. (Far East Colours)

Thanks to Carl Proctor for Identification.

Unknown British Aircraft Carrier.

Unidentified (K Class?) Destroyer.  Number looks like F4 or similar.

Unknown Destroyer (British?)

French Light Cruiser D'Entrecasteaux

unknown3

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code PHX247

Osetr of the Russian Navy at Vladivostok.  

The Lake submersible 'Protector',  which became Osetr.  One of the first boats in commission during the war with Japan.  Built in 1902.  Displacement 174 tons.  Armament, 3 TTs.  Speed : 9 knots on surface, 6 knots submerged.  This boat was tried out in competition with six other types, and upon the reliability of her performance and her general exceptional merit orders to the extent of several million dollars were received by her builders.  Commander M F Sueter of the British Navy, a submarine expert, has said "Mr Lake has undoubtedly devised a system of even keel submergence which is preferable to the porpoise like dive of the Holland type."

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code PHX248

Unidentified transport ship. Photo has the message "Compliments of Odis R. Raymond to O.A Kepler April 1919" Sent in by Edmond Penwell

One of the later submarines of the Royal Navy shown leaving port.  

An Unknown Royal Navy Submarine

hmtuggenny

Likely to be London Class Battleships, pictured 1907

London or King Edward VII Class Battleship. Mast and funnel arrangements are similar to those classes.

More likely to be London Class as the crow-nest on the masts in the King Edward VII Class were higher.

An unknown German ship 

 A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code PHX250

Royal Navy battleship with one twin turret with the badge possibly order of St John, likely to be either HMS Colossus or HMS Hercules.   

Thanks to Karl Zimmerman for ruling out many other possibilities.

Quote Reference Q6.

Battleships pass under the Forth railway bridge, taken from a Royal Navy battleship with two twin gun turrets forward, possibly an Orion, Lion, King George or Iron Duke class.   

Quote Reference Q7.

Quote Reference Q9.

Crew hoisting main armament shell.   

A view from midship guns of a World War One battleship.  

Thanks to Brandon Smith who thinks this may be a Colossus class ship.

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHX067

unknowncrew3

The launch of an unknown ship. Number is FY1038

USS Hancock

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code PHX254

deutschlandandkoenig

unknowncrew2

hmspembrokecrew2

hmspembrokecrew

HMS Flying Fox, 1968

Built at Wallsend-on-Tyne by Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson.  Launched in 1916.  She was sent to Bristol as Drillship for the Severn Division of the RNVR.  The officer who commanded her last sea-going mission was Admiral Scott.  She was sent to Bristol in 1923.  Moored at Hotwells until the early 1970's. 

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHX021

Seabreeze with possibly HMS Furious in distance

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code PHX255

Unknown Wreck

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code PHX256

WWI Motor launches at Cologne Watersports Club, 1919.

WWI motor launches at Cologne Watersports Club, 1919.

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code PHX259