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Catalogue number 104035 French frigate Flore, 1869 A small affair for the launch of the frigate Flore in 1869 at Rochefort. Note the crowds around the slip and at the bow of the ship. 23.7cm x 11.5cm Albumen print

Catalogue number 108040 H.M.S. Dreadnought, 1906 H.M.S. Dreadnought was the first all-big-gun battleship in the Royal Navy and was built in a record time, laid down October 1905, launched February 1906 and commissioned in December 1906. Verso:" This is the largest battleship in the world - we went to see her launched last Saturday" in heavy black ink and franked "Portsmouth Feb 14 06" 13.2cm x 8.3m Matt gelatin silver print

Catalogue number 145076 H.M.S. Dreadnought, 1906 The ship was christened by King Edward VII on 10th February, 1906. The launch of H.M.S. Dreadnought signalled a revolution in warship design and was a major event in naval circles worldwide. Although somewhat of a reduced event given the recent death of the Queen Alexandra's father the King of Denmark, the ceremony was a major public spectacle (similar ceremonies for H.M.S. Iron Duke, 1912, and H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth, 1913, are said to have drawn crowds of 60,000 and 80,000 respectively). Note the Colossus class turret ship in the background and the stern cradle still in place. Steam paddle tug and steam pinnace in attendance. Verso: Franked "Birmingham Aug 9 07" 13.8cm x 8.7cm Gelatin silver print

Catalogue number 155016 H.M.S. Lord Nelson, 1906 A pre-dreadnought, launched September 1906, after H.M.S. Dreadnought but laid down before, May 1905. Completion was delayed because of the appropriation of her 12-inch guns and turrets to speed-up completion of H.M.S. Dreadnought. This ship was the last pre-dreadnought to be commissioned, December 1908. 13.5cm x 8.5cm Gelatin silver print

Catalogue number 92079 Launching of the dreadnought battleship St Vincent, 1908 With flags of the Empire drapped over the steps and the platform, everyone is waiting for the arrival of the invited VIP guests. From left to right, note the public in the raised enclosure, the priest at the entrance of the first set of stairs, the band of the Royal Marines on a raised platform between the two starcases and the entrance to the second set of stairs marked "Launching platform". Note also the lady on foot extreme right. Dockyard workers are lokking down from the ship's rails. Verso: Sent from Portsmouth to an address in Brussels, "Daisy" to "Charles", franked "SP 25 08". 13.3cm x 8.3cm Gelatin silver print

Catalogue number 102032 Launching of the dreadnought battleship St Vincent, 1908 Coaches are now arriving with the guests for the launching, ladies with their fanciful hats and the public in the enclosure look over at the scene. The priest and the altar boys are now by the staircase to the launching platform, navy officers check everything up on the launching platform. 13.4cm x 8.3cm Gelatin silver print

Catalogue number 41296 Launching of the dreadnought battleship St Vincent, 1908 The ship is in the water, the forward cradle is still in place. As an empty hull, she is floating high. 13.4cm x 8.1m Gelatin silver print

Catalogue number 126012 Launching of the dreadnought battleship St Vincent, 1908 -The ship has gone down the slip and a fleet of rowing boats gather around the ship, note center a lady being rowed and just right of center is a rowing boat with a crew of two ladies in white blouses and large flowery hats. 13.7cm x 8.6cm Gelatin silver print

Catalogue number 123011 Launching of the dreadnought battleship St Vincent, 1908 One of a series of three photographs taken at the same time of H.M.S. St Vincent once launched. Like caring mothers with a newborn, paddle tugs fuss around the ship ready to take it to the fitting-out bay. 13.7cm x 8.5cm Gelatin silver print

Catalogue number 126010 Launching of the dreadnought battleship St Vincent, 1908 View from the port stern. Dockyard workmen in rowing boats collect floating wood and waste from the launch. An Admiral's barge takes several ladies to see the huge warship close-up, a second pinnace can be seen in the mid-background. 13.6cm x 8.6cm Gelatin silver print

Catalogue number 136050 Launch of H.M.S. King George V, October 1911 Stern view of H.M.S. King George on the slip just prior to launching. Note the Captain's stern walkway, the groove to take the armour plating along the hull, stern torpedo tube, four propeller A-frames and dockyard workmen on the quayside. 13.3cm x 8.3cm Gelatin silver print

Catalogue number 24043 Launch of H.M.S. King George V, October 1911 A busy scene for the launching ceremony, general public around the slip and a police presence, carriages arriving with guests and crowds in the enclosure. Dockyard workmen are up on the rails of the ship. We can seen the riveted hull before the armour plate is fixed in place. 13.3cm x 8.3m Gelatin silver print