Looking forward from the quarterdeck towards ‘X’ turret with ‘Q’ turret visible on the starboard beam. A light steel blast screen has been fitted around the two 4in guns on top of ‘X’ turret. ‘A’ turret was given a similar screen although they appear to have been removed soon after.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-21)
John Brown also built many of the ship’s boats. This view shows a completed 50ft steam pinnace for Inflexible sitting on blocks having been freshly painted. Inflexible is visible in the fitting-out basin at the left. The steel structure behind the pinnace is the lower part of the new 150-ton cantilever crane.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-17)
A cluttered quarterdeck in this June 1908 time exposure with naval and shipyard personnel working to complete the ship during the trials period. The ship is lying at the ‘Tail of the Bank’ off Greenock.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-20)
Inflexible’s conning tower and bridge structure with canvas screens in place. Skylights, hatches and lockers await fitting while worker’s jackets hang on convenient items. Note the light steel screens that have been lowered to reveal a 4in gun.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-23)
A midships view taken in the fitting-out basin prior to the start of trials. Apart from minor fitting-out details the ship is substantially complete, although she has yet to receive her boats.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-29)
The after end of the ship showing the arrangement of booms for the anti-torpedo net gear. Three tugs are waiting off Inflexible’s stern, possibly waiting to pull her out into the river.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-30)
The 12 × 10-inch plate camera used to take this photograph would have required a minor performance to set up, witnessed by the shipyard works watching intently from Inflexible’s bow. The ship is drawing just 23 feet forward.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-28)
Lying off Greenock in July 1908, this view of the midships area shows the boat stowage abaft the forward funnel. The general clutter on board indicates that this is an early trial trip to deal with any obvious difficulties after which the ship will return to the yard for completion. The paddle tug Flying Scotsman is alongside aft of ‘P’ turret.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-25)
A view from the forecastle deck looking aft towards ‘P’ turret. Note the men on top of the aftermost funnel.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-24)
The simplicity of the bridge and forward superstructure is evident in this view. Note how the bridge sits on the crown of the conning tower and the light supporting structure of the compass platform.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-29)
With the ship moored in the Firth of Clyde, workmen take a break in this view of the forecastle. Notice how far inboard the stanchions are fixed at the deck edge to allow for net stowage and the blast screens surrounding the twin 4in guns on ‘A’ turret.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-27)
Inflexible’s bow with two 125-cwt Wasteney Smith stockless anchors ready to receive a coat of paint. Not legible in this reproduction is the verse from a song painted below the staging at bottom left. It reads:
These are the banks of Claudy Fair maid where on you stand But don’t depend on Johnny For he’s a false young man.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-31)
It is not difficult to see how occupancy of the control tops, in this instance the after control platform, could so easily be rendered untenable by funnel smoke.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-32)
The bridge, chart house and compass platform seen from the bridge wing showing a lot of canvas and wire ropes. The lower portion of a semaphore device with operating levers and chains is to the left of the tripod strut.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-34)
Bits of the accommodation ladder and various other items lying around on the forecastle waiting to be fitted. Note the very neat proportions of ‘A’ turret 12in gun house and work proceeding on the 4in guns on its roof.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-35)
‘P’ turret and barbette with the associated armoured area mounted on the hull. Note the temporary cabin hoisted on board behind the turret.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-29)
A view of the after funnel, flying deck with boat deck above and mainmast tripod struts photographed from the roof of ‘P’ turret. From this image, drawings and a bowler hat can be seen in the temporary cabin denoting use by a shipyard manager or Admiralty overseer.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-37)
Another view of the after superstructure and boat deck. Long davits were required to enable the 32ft life cutter to swing over the deck to the ship’s side. The cast circular plates on deck are scuttles for coaling the ship. Although undated, these photographs were probably taken in June 1908.
(NRS UCS1-118-374-36)
The ship’s steam siren and access ladder mounted on a bracket secured to the rear of the forward funnel; good detail shots of a 36in searchlight and its mounting.