H.M.S. TERRIBLE
14th October 1899 to 27th March 1900

H.M.S. Terrible

HMS Terrible was the second and last of the Powerful-class protected cruisers built for the Royal Navy (RN) in the 1890s. She served on the China Station and provided landing parties and guns which participated in the Siege and Relief of Ladysmith in the Second Boer War in South Africa.

Royal Navy "Bluejackets" of H.M.S. Terrible pose by an armoured train at Durban during the Boer War. Mounted on the flatbed carriage is an improvised signal lamp consisting of a searchlight and shutter mechanism, powered by a dynamo attached to the train. The officer to the right of the image is possibly Capt Percy Scott R.N. The tower of Durban Post Office can be seen in the background.

HMS Terrible was built by J.& G. Thomson on Clydebank and launched on 27 May 1895. She served with her sister ship, Powerful on the China Station and provided landing parties which fought in the relief of the Siege of Ladysmith in the Second Boer War. Crews from the two ships also took part in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion in China. After 1904 they were laid up as an economy measure. During the First World War, they had most of their armament removed and served as troop transports and later accommodation ships.

(See also www.roll-of-honour website H.M.S. Terrible)

Last updated 7 January, 2026