H.M.S Minerva
HMS
Minerva
was
Morris
Moss
Bright's
first
appointment
as
a
Warrant
Officer
to
what
must
have
seemed
an
ordinary
ship
at
the
time.
However
this
was
far
from
the
case!
I
am
sure
my
grandfather
would
agree
with
me
that
Minerva
was
the
ship
that
made
him
and
a
few
others.
She
was
built
in
1893
at
Chatham
Dockyard
,
Kent.
Her
class
was
Eclipse
and
she
was
light
cruiser
.
In
1903
she
escorted
the
Terra
Nova
to
Gibraltar
.
A
few
years
later
the
Terra
Nova
was
used
as
Scott
of
the
Antarctic's
relief
ship
in
1911.
Minerva
and
her
sisters
could
put
up
quite
a
fight
.
The
most
outstanding
action
was
of
course
the
bombardment
and
landing
at
Akaba
in
1914.
She
also
supported
Lawrence
of
Arabia
in
1916
when
he
again
took
Akaba
and
is
mentioned
in
his
book
"
The
seven
pillars
of
wisdom".
HMS
Minerva
was
a
ship
with
over
two
hundred
years
of
history
(1759)
and
her
name
came
from
the
Roman
goddess
of
wisdom.
There
were
other
actions
and
events
that
set
her
aside
from
other
ships
.
Like
the
capture
of
a
spy,
taking
part
of
the
running
aground
of
a
Turkish
Navy
ship
and
supporting
the
landings
at
Gallipoli.
I
will
never
forget
the
first
time
I
showed
Jule
Bright
Minerva's
photo
.
This
was
before
the
age
of
the
internet
and
the
image
came
from
The
Imperial
War
museum
,
London.
I
think
we
both
realised
we
were
the
first
family
members
to
see
Minerva
apart
from
my
grandfather.
What
a
moment
that
was
and
it
sparked
a
quest
to
know
more
.
Both
Jule
and
my
mother
Minnie
then
set
about
the
journey
of
knowledge
you
see
today.
Below
is
all
the
photos
and
information
I
have
collated
over
the
last
twenty
years
.
I
felt
it
was
important
to
remember
this
marvellous,
brave
ship
and
her
crew
.
She
may
be
gone
,
but
she
will
never
be
forgotten.
Sadly
she
was
scrapped
in
1922.
It
was
really
such
a
shame
they
did
that
because
her
historical
value
was immense . However that is the Navy way to break up the old in favour of new kit
Warrant Officer Bright circa 1913
The Minerva crew photographed during
WW1. The arrow points to Lt Morris
Bright . Burly Bright confirmed the
officer marked with and arrow as being
his father. This photograph is a mystery
because it is alleged to be taken much
earlier . However My late Uncle was
sure that the officer with the arrow
pointing was his father.
Eclipse class ship plans
H.M.S Minerva bow & aft
H.M.S Minerva was built at the Royal dockyards at Chatham, Kent in 1890.
The blue arrow above indicates the dock 2 where the keel would have been laid.
Please click on this link to find out more about the dockyard
Chatham Royal Navy Dockyard in
Kent was the place HMS Minerva
was built and launched. It was in use
from 1567-1984
Eclipse class ship in dry dock
H.M.S Minerva takes part in a flotilla Circa1901
HMS Minerva logs held in the National Archive Kew , London
HMS MINERVA Logs online
H.M.S Minerva painted for War in the Middle east & Africa . WW1
Drawing of Minerva in the Suez Canal by an unknown artist
The Fort at Akaba now in Jordan still stands despite
being shelled and Lawrence of Arabia’s attack in 1917
Minerva was part of a Naval squadron that ran aground the Turkish
torpedo boat Demir-Hissar off of Chios on 17th April 1915
The Fort at Akaba around the time of the
bombardment by Minerva.
News of the launch of Minerva .1895
“England expects that every man will do his duty”
Vice - Admiral of the Royal Navy Horatio Nelson , 1st Viscount Nelson
from his flagship H.M.S Victory as the battle of Trafalgar was about
to commence 21st October 1805
It is my belief that the crew of H.M.S Minerva continued to fully execute
this most important order in the finest and proud tradition of the Royal Navy
H.M.S Minerva(1895) . Her history dates back to 1759 a 32 gun 5th rate ship . She was captured by the French
and then recaptured and renamed H.M.S Recovery .In 1780 a new 38 gun 5th rate replacement was launched .
In 1970’s the then Leander Class H.M.S Minerva had the great honour of His Majesty King Charles III serving
aboard. This was when he was Prince of Wales. I had the pleasure of visiting in Portsmouth many years ago
during Navy days and saw H.M.S Bronington (launched 1953) a wooden hulled Mine sweeper which His Royal
Highness Commanded
Press play for the story of the logs by Simon
Press play for music
