HMS Natal facts for kids
HMS Natal
|
|
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
|
| Name | HMS Natal |
| Namesake | Colony of Natal |
| Builder | Vickers, Sons & Maxim, Barrow-in-Furness |
| Laid down | January 1904 |
| Launched | 30 September 1905 |
| Christened | by Louisa Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire |
| Completed | 5 March 1907 |
| Nickname(s) | Sea Hearse |
| Fate | Vessel exploded at Cromarty Firth, 30 December 1915 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Warrior-class armoured cruiser |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 505 ft 4 in (154.0 m) |
| Beam | 73 ft 6 in (22.4 m) |
| Draught | 27 ft 6 in (8.4 m) (maximum) |
| Installed power | |
| Propulsion | 2 shafts, 4-cylinder triple-expansion steam engines |
| Speed | 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph) |
| Range | 7,960 nmi (14,740 km; 9,160 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
| Complement | 712 |
| Armament |
|
| Armour |
|
HMS Natal was a powerful warship called an armoured cruiser, built for the Royal Navy (Britain's navy) in the early 1900s. She was named after the Colony of Natal, a British colony in South Africa.
In 1911–1912, Natal had a special job: she escorted the royal yacht carrying the newly crowned King George V on his trip to India. During World War I, the ship was part of the Grand Fleet, but she didn't take part in any major battles.
Sadly, Natal was destroyed by a huge internal explosion on 30 December 1915, while docked near Cromarty in Scotland. At least 390 people, including crew members and civilians, lost their lives. Over many years, parts of the wreck were removed. The remaining pieces were later demolished in the 1970s to make the area safe for other ships. Today, the wreck site is protected as a war grave.
Contents
What Was HMS Natal Like?
Natal was a large ship, weighing about 13,550 tons when built, and up to 14,500 tons when fully loaded. She was about 154 meters (505 feet) long, 22.4 meters (73.5 feet) wide, and sat 8.4 meters (27.5 feet) deep in the water.
The ship was powered by two large steam engines, which turned two propellers. These engines produced a lot of power, allowing Natal to reach a top speed of about 23 knots (around 43 kilometers per hour or 26 miles per hour). She could travel about 7,960 nautical miles (14,740 kilometers) at a slower speed of 10 knots.
Ship's Weapons
Natal carried a powerful set of weapons:
- Main Guns: Six 9.2-inch (234 mm) guns. Two were at the front and back of the ship, and four were placed on the sides. These were in rotating turrets.
- Secondary Guns: Four 7.5-inch (191 mm) guns, also in turrets, located in the middle of the ship.
- Smaller Guns: Twenty-six 3-pounder (47 mm) guns. These were used against smaller boats or for defense.
- Torpedoes: Three 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes, hidden below the waterline. Torpedoes are underwater missiles.
The Warrior-class cruisers, like Natal, were known for being very stable in the water, which helped their gunners aim better.
Natal's Journey and Duties
Natal was built by Vickers, Sons & Maxim in Barrow-in-Furness, England. Her construction began in January 1904, and she was launched in September 1905. The ship was finished and ready for duty in March 1907. Her name, Natal, was chosen because people from the Colony of Natal helped pay for her construction.
After joining the Royal Navy, Natal became part of the 5th Cruiser Squadron in 1907, and later the 2nd Cruiser Squadron in 1909.
In 1911–1912, Natal had a very important role: she escorted the ship carrying King George V to India for a grand ceremony called the Delhi Durbar. Later, in December 1912, she carried the body of the U.S. Ambassador back to New York. Because of this sad duty, her crew nicknamed her the Sea Hearse.
In June 1913, Natal was involved in a small accident. She collided with a fishing boat in thick fog. Even though the navy decided Natal was going too fast for the foggy conditions, they didn't officially blame the ship.
World War I Service
When World War I began in 1914, Natal joined the main British fleet, known as the Grand Fleet. She spent most of 1915 patrolling the North Sea, but she didn't see any combat. In November 1915, she went for a short repair period and then rejoined her squadron in December.
The Tragic Sinking
On 30 December 1915, Natal was anchored in the Cromarty Firth in Scotland. Her captain, Eric Back, was hosting a special event on board. He had invited the wives and children of his officers, a civilian friend and his family, and nurses from a nearby hospital ship. There were seven women and three children among the guests that afternoon.
Shortly after 3:25 PM, without any warning, a series of powerful explosions ripped through the back of the ship. Just five minutes later, Natal completely overturned and sank. At first, people thought a German submarine might have attacked her with a torpedo or that she hit an underwater mine. However, investigations of the wreck showed that the explosions came from inside the ship.
Divers found that the explosions likely started in the ship's ammunition storage areas, specifically where the 9.2-inch shells or smaller 3-pounder gun ammunition was kept. A naval investigation concluded that the sinking was caused by an internal explosion of ammunition, possibly due to faulty cordite (a type of explosive used in shells).
The Royal Navy officially reported that 390 people were dead or missing, but this list did not include the women and children who were on board. Other reports suggest the total loss of life was between 390 and 421.
For many years, whenever a Royal Navy warship entered or left Cromarty, its crew would salute the visible remains of Natal as a mark of respect. Over time, much of the ship was salvaged. The remaining parts were finally blown up in the 1970s to ensure they no longer posed a danger to ships navigating the area.
Remembering Natal
A memorial to HMS Natal was built in Durban, South Africa, in 1927. In Invergordon, Scotland, a garden called Natal Gardens was opened in 2000, which includes a plaque remembering the ship.
The wreck of HMS Natal is now a protected site under a special law called the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. This means it is considered a war grave and must be respected.
