The launch of HMS Speedy from Church Wharf, Chiswick
The launch of HMS Speedy from Church Wharf, Chiswick
Record No
169859
Title
The launch of HMS Speedy from Church Wharf, Chiswick
Description
Image looking west showing the launch of HMS Speedy from the Thornycroft boatyard at Church Wharf, Chiswick Mall, Chiswick, taken from the towpath of the east bank of the river Thames near Barnes.The boatyard comprises numerous covered buildings facing the river. The structures have arch-shaped roofs, partially open sides and open ends. River craft can be seen within. In the foreground there are numerous rowing boats with spectators on board. To the extreme right can be seen the tower of St Nicholas’ Church, which dates from the early fifteenth century and is Grade II* listed; listing number 1189405. HMS Speedy was launched on 18 June 1893 and the fitting-out completed on 20 Feb 1894. It was an Alarm-Class torpedo-gunboat commissioned by the Royal Navy and built by the Thorneycroft shipbuilding company. It was 70.1 metres (230 feet) in length, had three funnels, eight water-tube boilers and was crewed by 91 personnel. The ship was the largest vessel to be built at the Thornycroft site in Chiswick. It was converted to a minesweeper in 1908-09 and was sunk by a German mine off the coast of the Humber estuary on 3rd
September 1914 with the loss of one crew member. The Thorneycroft boatyard closed in 1909. Today the site is a housing development together with a small pier and marina.
Date of execution
1893
Section
The London Archives
Collection
LCC Photograph Library
Medium
photograph
Catalogue No
SC_PHL_04_013_x76_2
London picture map location
Approximate
Subjects
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