The_sinking_of_HMS_Captain by William Frederick Mitchell [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsHMS Captain was a unique ship. Built in 1869 she was a masted turret ship with dual propulsion systems. Her design had been opposed by the Navy but she was built on the orders of Parliament.
HMS Captain in dock [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsShe was built at Birkenhead but a number of substantial mistakes were made during her construction. By the time she was finished she was 750 tons heavier than originally planned. This combined with other design and construction elements meant that her centre of gravity had risen 10 inches. This was to play a major part in her demise.
HMS_Captain by William Frederick Mitchell [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsShe was commisioned in April 1870 and following sea trials was allocated to the channel fleet. On the 6th September off Cape Finistere a storm blew up. The ship began to roll in the gale force winds and eventually she capsized. 480 seamen including the captain were lost and only 18 survived.
The inquiry into the ships loss found that she had sunk due to the design and construction of the ship.
‘Before the Captain was received from her contractors a grave departure from her original design had been committed whereby her draught of water was increased about two feet and her freeboard was diminished to a corresponding extent, and that her stability proved to be dangerously small, combined with an area of sail, under those circumstances, excessive. The Court deeply regret that if these facts were duly known and appreciated, they were not communicated to the officer in command of the ship, or that, if otherwise, the ship was allowed to be employed in the ordinary service of the Fleet before they had been ascertained by calculation and experience.’
Names of those lost on the HMS Captain 1870 St Paul’s Cathedral
The story of HMS Captain, St Paul’s Cathedral
The Captain and Crew are remembered in two memorial plaques on the wall of St Paul’s Cathedral.
I am semi-retired after a career in medical sciences. I now work from home doing independent research and consultancy amongst other things. One advantage of this is that I do have time to indulge my interests including birdwatching, natural history, steam trains and history particularly ancient history.
View all posts by Pete
2 Comments
Dear Pete
Thank you so much for taking the time to research HMS Captain.I have been searching for information and this article has the most information I have come across so far.
My great great grandfather was a marine aboard, his name is commemorated on the plaque at St Paul’s. His name was John Hermitage .This is the first time I have seen a photograph of the plaque.
John Hermitage daughter Amilia married and came to live on the wirral not far from Birkenhead were HMS Captain was commissioned.
It does not give the yard that built her but I think it was Lairds .I will arrange an appointment at the wirral achieves and also the Liverpool Maritime museum to follow up with the information you have kindly given .
Once again.. Thank you
Regards
Elaine Higginson
Glad to have been of help. According to the information I have you are correct in thinking that HMS Captain was built by Laird Bros yard at Birkenhead.
![The_sinking_of_HMS_Captain by William Frederick Mitchell [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://petesfavouritethings.blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/the_sinking_of_hms_captain.jpg)
![HMS Captain in dock [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://petesfavouritethings.blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/hms_captain_dock.jpg)
![HMS_Captain by William Frederick Mitchell [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://petesfavouritethings.blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/hms_captain.jpg)
Pete's Favourite Things 
Dear Pete
Thank you so much for taking the time to research HMS Captain.I have been searching for information and this article has the most information I have come across so far.
My great great grandfather was a marine aboard, his name is commemorated on the plaque at St Paul’s. His name was John Hermitage .This is the first time I have seen a photograph of the plaque.
John Hermitage daughter Amilia married and came to live on the wirral not far from Birkenhead were HMS Captain was commissioned.
It does not give the yard that built her but I think it was Lairds .I will arrange an appointment at the wirral achieves and also the Liverpool Maritime museum to follow up with the information you have kindly given .
Once again.. Thank you
Regards
Elaine Higginson
Glad to have been of help. According to the information I have you are correct in thinking that HMS Captain was built by Laird Bros yard at Birkenhead.