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HMS Russell was a Duncan class pre-dreadnought battleship that took part in the final evacuation from Gallipoli before being sunk by a mine early in 1916.
At the start of August 1914 the “Duncan” class ships made up the 6th Battle Squadron of the channel fleet. HMS Russell was the flagship of the squadron. On 5 August, before all five ships had joined the squadron, they were offered to Jellicoe for service in the Grand Fleet. HMSs Russell, Albemarle and Exmouth were already fully crewed, and so were sent ahead, with the other two members of the class following behind. They joined the 3rd Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet (with the King Edward VII class ships), remaining there until 2 November. During their time at Scapa the “Duncans” formed part of the Northern Patrol, operating north of the Shetlands.
In November the squadron returned to the Channel Fleet. It was then split in two, with the King Edward VIIs returning to Scapa while the Duncans formed a new 6th Battle Squadron for special duties off the Belgian coast. In the event these operations did not take place, as the battleships were felt to be too valuable to be risked in such dangerous waters, but HMS Russell and HMS Exmouth did bombard Zeebrugge on 23 November. HMS Russell served as the flagship of Rear Admiral S. Nicholson during this attack.
During 1915 HMS Russell returned to the 3rd Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet, but in November she was sent to the Dardanelles. The first attempt to leave Scotland, with HMS Albemarle, HMS Hibernia and HMS Zealandia was stopped by a storm that destroyed the bridge of HMS Albemarle, but the Russell did reach the Dardanelles during November. She spent much of her time there in reserve, first at Mudros, and then during the evacuation of Helles at Imbros. On 7 January she took part in a bombardment to support the evacuation, and on 8 January she cruised off the coast, ready to fire along the Turkish lines if a serious attack developed.
On 27 April 1916, while steaming east of Malta she ran into a mine, sinking with the loss of 126 men.
Displacement (loaded) |
14,900-15,200t |
Top Speed |
19kts |
Armour – deck |
2in-1in |
- belt |
7in |
- bulkheads |
11in-7in |
- barbettes |
11in-4in |
- gun houses |
10in-8in |
- casemates |
6in |
- conning tower |
12in |
Length |
432ft |
Armaments |
Four 12in guns |
Crew complement |
720 |
Launched |
19 January 1901 |
Completed |
February 1903 |
Captains |
W. Bowden-Smith |
Mined |
27 April 1916 |