RN Armoured Cruisers: Nelson Class

[Brian James]

Lead Ship,Armoured Cruiser HMS Nelson pictured post her major refit at Portsmouth in 1893.
Nelson was laid down by John Elder & Co Shipyards in Govan on November 2nd 1874, launched on November 4th 1876, and completed in July 1881.She sailed for the Australia Station after commissioning and became the flagship there in 1885. She remained on station until returning home in January 1889 for a lengthy refit.She then became Guardship at Portsmouth in October 1891 and was placed in fleet reserve in November 1894. Nelson was degraded to dockyard reserve in April 1901 and hulked seven months later as a Training Ship for stokers. She was sold for scrap in July 1910 for £14,500.

[Brian James]

Lead Ship,Central Battery Ironclad Armoured Cruiser HMS Nelson pictured c1885.She was laid down by John Elder & Co Shipyards,Govan on November 2nd 1874 and launched on November 4th 1876.She was three masted,Barquentine rigged and carried 1,150 tons of coal which gave her an economical range of 5000 nautical miles at 12.5 knots.She displaced 7593 tons and her steel hull was fitted with a ram,her crew numbered approximately 560 Officers and men.She sailed for the Australia Station after commissioning and became the flagship there in 1885. She remained on station until returning home in January 1889 for a lengthy refit. The ship then became Guardship at Portsmouth in October 1891 and was placed in fleet reserve in November 1894. Nelson was degraded to dockyard reserve in April 1901 and hulked seven months later as a Training Ship for stokers.She was sold for scrap in July 1910 for £14,500.