HMS Agamemnon (1906) British Pre-Dreadnought Battleship
HMS Agamemnon was one of two Lord Nelson-class pre-dreadnought battleships built for the Royal Navy. Constructed by William Beardmore and Company at Dalmuir, Scotland, she was launched on 23 June 1906 and commissioned on 25 June 1908. Her sister ship was HMS Lord Nelson.
Agamemnon carried four 12-inch guns in two twin turrets, supported by ten 9.2-inch guns. Thick armour and a speed of eighteen knots made her a powerful example of the pre-dreadnought type. Nevertheless, HMS Dreadnought had entered service before her completion, making her mixed main armament and reciprocating steam engines technologically outdated.
Initially serving with the Home Fleet, Agamemnon joined the Channel Fleet when the First World War began in August 1914. She helped safeguard the transport of British troops to France before transferring to the Dardanelles in February 1915.
During the campaign, she bombarded Ottoman forts and supported Allied landings at Gallipoli. Repeated shell hits damaged the ship and caused casualties, but she continued operating. After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, she remained in the eastern Mediterranean, supporting Allied forces and watching for Ottoman warships attempting to leave the Dardanelles.
On 30 October 1918 the Armistice of Mudros was signed aboard her, ending hostilities between the Ottoman Empire and the Allies.
After returning home, Agamemnon was converted into a radio-controlled target ship for naval gunnery exercises. This final role extended her service until 1926. Sold for scrapping in January 1927, she was the last surviving British pre-dreadnought battleship.
