Thunderer (Devastation Class)

Laid down	June 1869
Launched	1872
Completed	N/A
Commissioned	1877
Fate	Sold for scrapping: 1909 to T.W. Ward, Inverkeithing United Kingdom
Builders	HM Dockyard, Pembroke United Kingdom
Complement	358
Dimensions
Displacement	9180 tons std 13000 tons max
Dimensions	285' x 62' 3"
Draught	26' 6"
Armament
Main guns	4 x 12.5" MLR (2 x 2)
Secondary guns	As built: 1 x 9pdr 1892: 1 x 9pdr 6 x 6pdr (6 x 1) 9 x 3pdr (9 x 1)
Torpedo tubes	2 x 14"
Other weapons	N/A
Countermeasures	None
Armour	Belt: 10" - 12" Deck: 1.25" - 3" Turrets: 12" - 14"
Aircraft Facilities
Aircraft	None
Flightdeck	None
Hangar	None
Catapults	None
Arrestor system	None
Aviation fuel	None
Electronics Fit
Radar	None
Sonar	None
ECM	None
Other	N/A
Machinery
Engines	As built: Rectangular 30psi boilers 2 x Penn trunk engines Refitted: Cylindrical 30psi boilers 2 x triple expansion
Power output	5632ihp
Speed	14kts
Shafts	2
Range	N/A
Fuel	1800 tons coal

Thunderers completion was delayed to see the results of Devastations sea trials. On 2nd January 1879, one of the guns in the forward turret exploded, killing 11 and injuring 35 others. Although the inquiry said the shell had shifted after being rammed in, it was generally accepted that the barrel had been double loaded. The accident finally converted the Admiralty to breech loading guns.

Last altered : 29th June 1999

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