HMS Africa 1905-1920

[terryjwatts]

My Grandfather William Henry Watts (J5136) served on HMS Africa from 15th April 1914 to 7th November 1918.

I am looking for any information about Africa's service and crew members between those dates.

[culverin]

The first ever flight from an RN ship was from the Africa.
On the 10 Jan 1912 whilst Africa was anchored in the Medway, Lt Charles Rumney Samson successfully flew his Short S38 off the forecastle.

Samson was to be a real pioneer in the annals of powered British naval aviation. He even survived to tell the tale.

[culverin]

HMS Africa was the last ever battleship built at Chatham as 1 of the 8 King Edward VII class.
She was laid down on 27 Jan 1904 on No 8 slip, itself only completed in 1900 to enable larger battleships to be built there. This slip was the only uncovered one at Chatham and was 616' long and angled to the river.
This was to prove a costly error, being too small for future generations of battleships, post Dreadnought.
No 8 dock has now been demolished. Last in, first out. It was always referred to as the Africa slip.

Africa herself was launched 20 May 1905 by the Marchioness of Londonderry by special request of the Monarch himself, Edward VII, as the Marchioness of Salisbury was ill.

However, despite being the last battleship from the yard, and as completed the heaviest constructed there, she was not the largest. That honour belongs to the armoured cruiser HMS Shannon launched on 20 Sept 1906 from No 7 slip.

An intriguing query remains however.

Which of the 2, Africa or Shannon would have displaced the most at their launch as they entered the Medway.