HMS
Berwick, was built by Beardmore at Dalmuir on the Clyde. laid down on
the 19th April 1901 and launched 20th September 1902. completed 9th December
1903. Joined the Home Fleet and served in the Portsmouth Division
of the home fleet. That on 2nd April 1908, The Portsmouth
division of the home Fleet under the command of rear- Admiral Farquhar
flying his flag on HMS Prince George.
left Portsmouth for exercise in the Channel. With the Torpedo -Flotilla
following later with orders to attack the squadron after darkness had
fallen. A little after 8 pm the destroyers attacked the fleet, 18 miles
south of St Catherine's with their lights out. During the attack HMS
Tiger while crossing the bows of HMS Berwick was
struck by the cruisers ram and cut completely in two. The fore end of
the destroyer sank almost at once, the after part remaining afloat long
enough for 13 men to be rescued form it. in all 22 of her crew were
saved, but 28 were lost, including Lt W E Middleton, who was in
command. HMS Berwick was finally sold for scrapping in 1920
Displacement: 9800 tons, Speed:
23 knots. Compliment: 678 Armament: Fourteen 6 inch Quick
firing guns, , ten 12 pdr QF guns, Three 3 pdr QF and Two
18-nch torpedo tubes submerged. |
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HMS
Berwick - Name History |
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The eighth “Berwick” is a 14-gun twin-screw
cruiser, launched at Beardmore’s Yard in 1902.
She is of 9800 tons, 22,000 horsepower, and 23 knots speed.
Her length, beam, and draught were 440ft, 66ft, and 24ft. On April
2nd, 1908, the “Berwick” commanded by Captain W.C.M.
Nicholson, collided with and sank the destroyer “Tiger” off the Isle
of Wight, during night manoeuvres.
Unhappily the lives of Lieutenant and Commander Middleton, and
thirty-four others, were lost in this unfortunate accident. |
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HMS Berwick, 1903.
A
large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced
from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright
holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price
£25. Order photograph here Order Code
XMP955
Original
republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here
to order. Order Code MP955 |
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HMS Berwick
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHC124 |

HMS Berwick. Original photo book plate
6" x 4" published 1915 by Eveleigh Nash. Price
£10. Order Code FW1528 |
|
HMS Berwick
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHC126
|
HMS Berwick pictured c.1908
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHC125 |
HMS Berwick.
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHC123 |
HMS Berwick. Contributed
by email. |
HMS Berwick.
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHC004 |
HMS Berwick, 1903.
A
large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced
from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright
holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price
£25. Order photograph here Order Code
XMP956
Original
republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here
to order. Order Code MP956 |
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