Random thoughts and photos of my journey through life…
Warrior’s original figurehead has ended up at Fleet HQ, Northwood, London, only to crumble beyond repair sometime in the 1960s. The new ’spirit of Warrior’, carved by two Isle of Wight craftsmen, weighed 2 tons and like the original was almost 4 metres (12 feet) high. In February 1985, it was hoisted aboard and attached to the stem-piece. *
*From the HMS Warrior guidebook
8 Comments CherryPie on Feb 7th 2015
HMS Warrior was the world’s first ocean going, iron-hulled, armoured warship – the largest, fastest and most powerful of the time. Launched on 29 December 1860, Warrior rendered all other warships obsolete overnight. She never fired a shot in anger, simply because she was too powerful for any other ship to think of challenging her. Indeed, her deterrent value contributed to Britain’s Security.
Forgotten for a century, restored to her original condition, and now moored in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, HMS Warrior is the only surviving embodiment of the most revolutionary changes to take place in the long and distinguished history of the Royal Navy.*
The Upper Deck
The Bridge
The Gun deck
Warriors main armament consisted of 26 68-pounder guns, loaded from the muzzle (front), capable of firing shot or shells nearly a mile and a half (2.3 kilometers). They were reliable and effective, being a larger version of a tried-and-trusted design. Not so reliable were the ten new Armstrong 110-pounder breech loaders, fitted as a trial. These had rifled barrels for greater accuracy and fired cone-headed shot or shell almost double the distance of the ‘older’ guns. However, the trial was unsuccessful because the new guns had a nasty tendency to overheat and blow out the breechblock or just jam up.*
*From HMS Warrior 1860 guidebook
12 Comments CherryPie on Feb 6th 2015
Third rate 74-gun battleship, launched in Portsmouth in 1781. Took part in the battle of Saintes (1782) and Nelson’s victory at Copenhagen (1801). Broken up in 1857.
This is the oldest figurehead in the Museum’s collection – and one of the oldest warship figureheads in the world.*
*From an signboard next to the figurehead.
8 Comments CherryPie on Feb 5th 2015
…18 November 1781
The 74-gun battleship Warrior is ready for launching in Portsmouth Dockyard. The completed hull is supported by a few last shores, while alongside, men are preparing the ropes that will secure her to the dock.
The traditional flags are flying from short poles where eventually her masts will be placed. These include the distinctive red flag, with the fouled anchor of the Admiralty Board and the Royal Standard.*
*From a sign next to the model ship
4 Comments CherryPie on Feb 4th 2015
This is HMS Vernon’s version of ‘Monopoly’. It includes missile-shaped pieces and locations like the main gate and Isle of Wight Ferry.
12 Comments CherryPie on Feb 3rd 2015
I must have blinked… January has been and gone and I hardly noticed it. That means it is one month since I started writing down my ‘Happiness Moments’ of the day. I have stayed on track and placed at least one thought in there each day.
When I look at the box it makes me smile and want to delve in to lucky dip one of my previous ‘Happy Thoughts’ from my ‘Box of Happiness’ 
18 Comments CherryPie on Feb 2nd 2015
Stop Learning.
Start Knowing.
The rose opens
And opens
And when it falls
Falls outward
Rumi
6 Comments CherryPie on Feb 1st 2015
