HMS Hampshire (1903)
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Hampshire at anchor
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| History | |
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 United Kingdom
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| Name: | HMS Hampshire |
| Namesake: | Hampshire |
| Builder: | Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick |
| Laid down: | 1 September 1902 |
| Launched: | 24 September 1903 |
| Completed: | 15 July 1905 |
| Fate: | Sunk by mine, 5 June 1916 |
| Status: | Protected war grave |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Devonshire-class armoured cruiser |
| Displacement: | 10,850 long tons (11,020 t) (normal) |
| Length: | 473 ft 6 in (144.3 m) (o/a) |
| Beam: | 68 ft 6 in (20.9 m) |
| Draught: | 24 ft (7.3 m) |
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| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: | 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph) |
| Complement: | 610 |
| Armament: |
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| Armour: | |
HMS Hampshire was one of six Devonshire-class armoured cruisers built for the Royal Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. She was assigned to the 1st Cruiser Squadron of the Channel Fleet upon completion. After a refit she was assigned to the reserve Third Fleet in 1909 before going to the Mediterranean Fleet in 1911. She was transferred to the China Station in 1912 and remained there until the start of World War I in August 1914.
The ship hunted for German commerce raiders until she was transferred to the Grand Fleet at the end of 1914. She was assigned to the 7th Cruiser Squadron upon her return home. She was transferred to the 2nd Cruiser Squadron in 1916 and was present at the Battle of Jutland. Several days later she was sailing to Russia, carrying the Secretary of State for War, Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, when she is believed to have struck a mine laid by a German submarine. She sank with heavy loss of life, including Kitchener and his staff. Rumours later circulated of German spies and sabotage being involved in the sinking. Her wreck is listed under the Protection of Military Remains Act, though part was later illegally salvaged. Several films have been made exploring the circumstances of her loss.
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