125 years ago: 'Formidable' warships of Royal Navy visit Clyde (1920)

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11-05-2025

THE GREAT interest taken in the visit of the Channel Fleet to the Clyde was manifested yesterday by the large number of visitors who took advantage of the G. & S.W. steamers to board one or other of the formidable battleships now at anchor at the Tail-of-the-Bank.
Heavily-freighted trains arrived at Princes Pier Station from Glasgow and intermediate towns, and the volume of steamboat and train traffic must have added no small sum to the monetary returns of the Company.
(Image: Archive) Leaving Princes Pier shortly after three o'clock on one of the Company's steamers, a representative of the "Telegraph" had a look round the Fleet, and ultimately boarded the Repulse.
The majority of the sightseers were evidently desirous of inspecting either the Majestic or the Magnificent, but as these warships, together with a number of others, were undergoing a cleaning up, and consequently hardly ready for the reception of the public, the opening of the Repulse was highly appreciated.
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The well-known geniality of the tar was evinced in the readiness with which all persons were welcomed.
No sooner did the visitors find themselves on deck than they (the women, of course, enjoying the preference) received an escort, who proceeded to explain the more notable features of the ship, which is one of the finest in the Fleet.
The present spirit of the people was shown in the eagerness with which they inquired into the properties of the quick-firing Maxim and Hotchkiss guns.
(Image: Archive)Being fortunate enough to secure the services of a well-informed bluejacket, a run through the ship proved a most interesting experience.
To navigate oneself through the floating fortress, on which were nearly 800 tars and as many visitors, is no easy task, but in the company of one who is perfectly at home on the vessel the desired points were easily reached.
(Image: Archive) Apart from the formidable look of the ship itself, the outstanding features on the top deck are the four powerful 67-ton guns, which, with a full charge, are capable of throwing projectiles weighing 1,250 Ibs. a distance of over eight miles.
The beautiful mechanism of these weapons and the elaborate machinery-hydraulie and electrical employed in their working were greatly admired, all parts being in the pink of condition.
This article first appeared in the Greenock Telegraph on May 10, 1900.