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British torpedo boat destroyer launching, Southampton
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British torpedo boat destroyer launching, Southampton
A British torpedo boat destroyer launching at Southampton a few months before the start of the First World War. It is probably HMS Lance, a Laforey-class destroyer, who fired the first British shot of the war on 5 August 1914 when she intercepted the German Konigin Luise.
25 February 1914
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Media ID 7193155
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10533178
Bunting Destroyer Lance Launching Runway Southampton Torpedo Laforey Ww 1
EDITORS COMMENTS
"This evocative photograph captures the moment of launching for HMS Lance, a British torpedo boat destroyer, at Southampton docks on 25th February 1914. The Laforey-class destroyer, named after the famous British naval hero Admiral Lord Edward Laforey, was one of the most advanced warships of its time. With a top speed of over 27 knots, HMS Lance was a formidable addition to the Royal Navy's fleet as the world tensions escalated towards the First World War. The scene is filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation. The ship's crew, dressed in their best uniforms, stand proudly on the deck, while the shipyard workers and onlookers gather on the quayside to witness the historic event. The British flag flies high, and the launching ramp is adorned with colorful bunting. The water around the ship is calm, reflecting the gleaming hull of HMS Lance as she begins her slide down the slipway and into the Solent. Just a few months later, on 5th August 1914, HMS Lance would make history as the first British ship to fire a shot in the First World War. She intercepted the German cruiser SMS Konigin Luise off the coast of Heligoland Bight, marking the beginning of a long and brutal conflict. This photograph is a poignant reminder of the build-up to the First World War and the crucial role that HMS Lance played in its early stages. It is a testament to the bravery and determination of the British sailors who manned these ships and defended their country against the threat of invasion." (Image: A British torpedo boat destroyer launching at Southampton, 25th February 1914. ©Imperial War Museum/Robert Hunt Library/Mary Evans)
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