1914–16 Director control for main armament fitted, the director tower being located over fore control top. Rangefinder removed from after conning tower. Small rangefinder added on bridge. 12pdrs removed from fore turret and superstructures with the exception of the upper pair in the forward superstructure which were decked in. There is some uncertainty as to whether the forecastle and quarterdeck 12pdrs were removed (detachable mounts?), the official lists showing a figure of twenty 12pdrs for the beginning of 1917. Four 12pdr AA are reported to have been added, two right aft on the quarterdeck, but the location for the other pair is uncertain, though probably near the after tripod. The bridge searchlights were remounted on platforms, low down on the fore tripod legs. Anti-torpedo nets removed. In order to give the conning tower a clear view ahead, the wings were removed from the bridge and the navigating platform was extended forward.
1916–17 Stern torpedo tube removed. After control top removed, its searchlight remounted on a platform on the mainmast. Special anti-flash protection fitted to magazines and ammunition hoists after Jutland. Some extra deck protection fitted in areas of magazines, but very slight because by now she was the oldest of the dreadnoughts.
1917 Deflection scales painted on sides of forward and after turrets. Quarterdeck 12pdr AA guns replaced by two 3in AA guns. Foretopmast was reduced in height.
Dreadnought. View aft over the stern and after funnel from the foretop. Note spaciousness of the decks, and the streamlined superstructure and fittings.
Dreadnought, 1913/14, showing a few changes in the rig. Blast screens have been fitted around 12pdrs on top of 12in gun turrets, and long signal struts have been fitted forward below fore control top. The 24in SL has been removed from the lower foretop.
Dreadnought sails out of Malta in November 1913 after manoeuvres with the Mediterranean Fleet. Note the very dark grey paintwork.
History: Dreadnought
Built under the 1905–6 Naval Estimates after the design had been approved in March 1905. The order to commence was issued on 8 July 1905.
1906 1 Sept Commissioned in Reserve Fleet at Portsmouth for trials.
3 Oct Began trials.
3 Dec Completed official acceptance trials.
11 Dec Commissioned to full complement at Portsmouth for prolonged trial cruise.
1907 5 Jan Left Portsmouth. Called at Arosa Bay, Gibraltar and Golfo d’Aranci (Sardinia) before proceeding to Trinidad.
23 March Returned to Portsmouth.
27 March Commissioned for service as flagship of Nore Division of Home Fleet on its formation (formerly Channel Fleet).
Summer Further trials of different types of propeller.
7–14 May First practice cruise of Home Fleet (Nore Division).
18 June With Nore Division cruised to Norway and throughout parts of Scotland.
22 July Mobilization of Home Fleet and cruise to Torbay and Cowes.
3 August Home Fleet reviewed off Cowes by HM King Edward VII, followed by fleet manoeuvres (4–8 August).
1908 12 July Home Fleet assembled off Deal and anchored in the Downs.
16–21 July Annual exercises in North Sea with Nore Division and Atlantic Fleet.
1909 23 March Paid off at Portsmouth and recommissioned the following day for service as flagship of CinC Home Fleet.
4 May Combined exercises north of Scotland with Nore Division and Atlantic Fleet.
12 June Imperial Press Conference Review at Spithead, delegates aboard Dreadnought.
6 July Annual combined manoeuvres in Atlantic with Nore Division, Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets.
17–24 July Visited Southend with other units of Home and Atlantic Fleets.
31 July Review of Home Fleet at Cowes, Isle of Wight. Inspection by HM King Edward VII during visit of HIM the Tsar of Russia.
Aug On reorganization of fleets, Nore Division became 1st Division Home Fleet.
1910 April Exercises in Scottish waters with 1st and 2nd Divisions of Home and Atlantic Fleets.
July Combined manoeuvres off west coast with Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets. 1st and 2nd Divisions, with part of the 3rd and 4th Divisions taking part also.
26–29 July With Home Fleet in Torbay for visit by HM King George V.
1911 Jan Combined exercises off north-west coast of Spain with Mediterranean Fleet.
March Relieved as flagship of 1st Division Home Fleet by Neptune and paid off for refit.
28 March Recommissioned with nucleus crew after refit at Portsmouth.
6 June Completed to full complement at Portsmouth for service as private ship in 1st Division Home Fleet.
24 June Present at Coronation Fleet Review by HM King George V.
6 July Combined exercises with 1st Division Home Fleet, Atlantic Fleet and 4th CS off south-west coast of England and Ireland.
July Exercises with combined fleets in North Sea.
1912 1 May 1st Division became 1st BS of 1st (Home) Fleet on introduction of 3rd Fleet reorganization scheme.
7–11 May Royal inspection of 1st and 2nd (Home) Fleets at Weymouth, followed by four days of exercises at sea.
9 July Present at Parliamentary Review of Home Fleets at Spithead, followed immediately by annual manoeuvres with 1st and 2nd Fleets and parts of 3rd and Mediterranean Fleets.
Oct Tactical exercises with 1st Home Fleet.
Dec Transferred to 4th BS (late Mediterranean Fleet) of 1st Home Fleet, the squadron being based on Gibraltar rather than the usual Malta harbour.
1913 1 July Recommissioned as flagship of 4th BS with 1st Home Fleet at Portsmouth.
Nov Manoeuvres in the Mediterranean with Mediterranean Squadron, 4th BS, 1st BS, 3rd CS and the light cruiser squadrons.
1914 15 July Left Portland for Spithead with 1st (Home) Fleet.
16 July Arrived at Portsmouth.
17–21 July Present at Test Mobilization and Royal Review of the Fleet by HM King George V. This review was probably the largest gathering of dreadnought types ever.
25 July Returned to Portland with 1st Fleet.
29 July Left Portland for Scapa Flow.
Aug On the outbreak of war 1st Home Fleet became the Grand Fleet without change in the organization of the battle squadrons.
20 Oct With 4th BS which consisted of the battleships Erin, Temeraire, Bellerophon, Agincourt and Iron Duke. All were patrolling between Rockall Bank and the Hebrides. During the evening the squadron just missed intercepting the German minelaying vessel Berlin which was bound for