#hms natal

[ltwilliammowett]

Just to show the size of these navigation lanterns.

This one was used on board HMS Natal during WWI. In 1915, she was at anchor in sheltered waters with some of her 800 crew and civilian passengers when an ammunition dump on board exploded and the ship capsized and sank.

Some 421 people, including women and children, were killed, while about 400 survived, including 267 on board, the rest being on shore leave.

The lantern was picked up by one of the survivors shortly after the infamous sinking and bequeathed to his daughter, who then offered it for sale.

[thisdayinwwi]

Dec 30 1915 in WWI

HMS Natal was hosting a party on December 30 1915. An internal explosion starting near the rear 9.2-inch shell room or the 3-pounder and small arms magazine set off a series of explosions that ripped open the ship and caused it to capsize in 5 minutes killing around 400 people.

IWM (WWC H21-32-1) Caroline Maud Edwards, of the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service dies on December 30 1915 after an explosion on HMS Natal.

IWM (WWC H21-10) Eliza Elvins, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve dies after an explosion on HMS Natal 30 December 1915 

[theimperialcourt]

Cetshwayo, King of the Zulus, and his wives on board HMS Natal following the Zulu defeat during the Anglo-Zulu War (1879). HMS Natal transported King Cetshwayo to exile in Cape Town.