HMS Bulwark was one of five London-class pre-dreadnought battleships built for the RN, commissioned in 1902. The Londons were a sub class of the Formidable class pre-dreadnoughts and upon completion she was initially assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet as its flagship. The ship then served with the Channel and Home Fleets from 1907 to 1910, usually as a flagship.

Following the start of WW1, in August 1914, Bulwark, along with the rest of the squadron, was attached to the reformed Channel Fleet to protect the British Expeditionary Force as it moved across the English Channel to France. On 26 November 1914 she was destroyed by a large internal explosion with the loss of 741 men near Sheerness; only a dozen men survived the detonation. It was probably caused by the overheating of cordite charges that had been placed adjacent to a boiler-room bulkhead. Little of the ship survived to be salvaged and her remains were designated a controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. Diving on the wreck is generally forbidden

The box is thought to have been removed when the ship was in reserve (1910-1914) or possibly the shoreside letter collection box, either way, it is totally original and has had a sympathetic clean & polish to show off this great patina.

The gold painted name and date sit between two plates of original glass, so it cannot be removed or simply painted on and is still fitted with its original worn lock & bronze letter cartouche. (12” x 9” x 6”)

Great naval artefact!

£795

Local delivery, U.K & International shipping available with collections welcome too

Thanks for viewing