File:The Naval Manoeuvres, the Fleet at Target Practice in the Atlantic - ILN 1897.jpg

English: The Naval Manoeuvres, the Fleet at Target Practice in the Atlantic. Drawn by our special artist with the fleet, Mr. C. J. de Lacy. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 24 July 1897.

Read the ILN

Volume 111, Issue 3040.

THE NAVAL MANOEUVRES, The Naval Manoeuvres, which were summarised in our last issue, were followed by the usual target and torpedo practise off the south-west coast of Ireland. This forms the subject of one of our Special Artist's Illustrations, while the other represents H.M.S. Alexandra, the flagship of Vice-Admiral Compton E. Domvile, lying in Tor Bay. This famous battle-ship has had perhaps a more distinguished career than any other vessel of her time. Since this is most likely her hast appearance as a flag-ship, as she will shortly relieved by the Camperdown from the Mediterranean, it will be worth while to recall some of the events of her history. Built so long ago as 1877, she was the flag-ship of the late Admiral Hornby, when, in order to save Constantinople from the Russians, he steamed through the Dardanelles, expecting every moment that the Turks would open fire on his fleet. The British Fleet were all cleared for action, with their guns fully loaded, keeping, however, the tompions in the mouths of the guns to deceive the Turks. No doubt, if the latter had opened fire, the carnage would have been frightful, as several ships, among them the Alexandra touched the mud while right under the guns of the forts, and were only got off with difficulty. The Alexandra was also the flag-ship at the bombardment of Alexandria in 1882. Afterwards she completed her third commission up the Straits as flag-ship of the Duke of Edinburgh.