HMS Triumph (1903)
HMS Triumph was a Swiftsure-class pre-dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy, originally constructed for Chile under the name Libertad. Built by Vickers, Sons & Maxim at Barrow-in-Furness, she was launched on 15 January 1903. However, following the easing of naval tensions between Chile and Argentina, Britain purchased the vessel in December 1903. She was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 21 June 1904.
Displacing approximately 12,175 tons, Triumph measured 145 metres in length and could reach a maximum speed of 19 knots. Her main armament consisted of four 10-inch guns mounted in two twin turrets, supported by fourteen 7.5-inch guns and smaller weapons.
During her early career, Triumph served with the Channel Fleet, Home Fleet and Mediterranean Fleet before being transferred to the China Station.
At the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, Triumph participated in operations against German possessions in China, particularly the siege of Tsingtao, where she provided naval gunfire support.
In 1915, she was transferred to the Dardanelles to support Allied operations during the Gallipoli Campaign. Her guns bombarded Ottoman defensive positions and provided support for troops fighting ashore.
On 25 May 1915, while operating off the Gallipoli Peninsula, Triumph was torpedoed by the German submarine U-21, commanded by Otto Hersing. The battleship capsized and sank, taking three officers and 75 ratings with her.
