HMS M.33 is a 1915 Coastal Bombardment Vessel, one of only two British warships to survive from the First World War.
She saw action in the Mediterranean between 1915 and 1918, supporting troop landings and evacuations at Gallipoli in 1915. Then in 1919, she played a part in the Russian Civil War covering the withdrawal of Allied and White Russian troops. Following her return from Russia, she spent the rest of her active life in Portsmouth Harbour.
Today she is berthed near the new Mary Rose Museum and Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard. Her location in No. 1 dry dock allows visitors to get a closer look at her exterior from the dockside, although currently she cannot be boarded. Her national and historical significance has been recognised and she features in the National Register of Historic Ships.
HMS M.33 is currently being renovated and it is planned that the work will be completed, allowing full public access, in time for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign later this year.
The ship behind HMS M.33 is the recently retired HMS Illustrious.
I am off to Portsmouth next week, Cherie, and may well be able to see this – thank you for the informtion
I hope you enjoy Portsmouth Dockyard as much as I did. I look forward to seeing your photographs
she is completely dwarfed by the Illustrious. great couple of shots, CP
It shows how things have changed over the years
For a moment I thought we were visiting Chatham Dockyard but see it is Portsmouth. Different to my last visit when my daughter was at university there.
I have visited Chatham too, although that is a few years ago now!
Modern ship names are kinda hard to remember.
I prefer old-fashioned ones like Victory, Belfast, etc.
Illustrious, Wesminster, Lancaster, Enterprise, Blazer, Charger, Protector etc all have certain ring about them