style="font-size:15px;"> Alternative wash out system for turrets (shipbuilder’s part)
Blast screens for 4-inch guns crews on A and X turrets.
It must be remarked that the erection and care and maintenance since erection, of the 12-inch mountings, as in the case of the Agamemnon, compares unfavourably with mountings erected by Messrs Armstrong, as for instance in Indomitable. Many simple adjustments, among others, some which were pointed out to Messrs Vickers’ representatives at the preliminary hydraulic trials on the 12 May were still incorrect at Gun Drills and Trials, such as run out cut off, fouling of sights against the armour, etc, and it is considered that more attention in this respect should be paid by Messrs Vickers.
A marked feature of the trials was the poor training control. The creep is not at all good; the movement is jerky; the turrets do not start or stop with precision, the reversal of direction of training is erratic.
Invincible’s full power trials were carried out on the Polperro measured course on 7 November 1908 and returned 46,500shp at 295 revolutions for a speed of 26.64 knots and her gun trials on 30 October 1908.
In October 1908, the DNC wrote to the E-in-C to advise him on the differences between Babcock & Wilcox boilers fitted in Indomitable and the Yarrow type in Inflexible. The total weight of the machinery installation for Indomitable was 3166 tons and 3047 for Inflexible a difference of 151 tons in favour of Yarrow which, the DNC noted, was greater than had been anticipated. The Ship’s Cover quotes the estimated original and actual costs of the three ships as follows:
Another pre-launch view of Inflexible showing the forward poppet on the starboard bow. This is one of four poppets that will keep the hull upright during the launching run. Drag chains have been neatly arranged on the ground beside the hull to slow the ship once in the water. Notice the starboard underwater torpedo tubes visible immediately behind the poppet. In the right foreground the launching platform has been erected and the area fenced off in preparation for the thousands who will come to witness the launch.
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A detail of Inflexible’s stern showing rudders, propellers, shafts and cast steel shaft brackets.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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A view from the forecastle deck looking aft towards ‘P’ turret. Note the men on top of the aftermost funnel.
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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
