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Launched Collection (#4)

From the depths of history to the heights of innovation, these iconic launches have left an indelible mark on maritime and aviation history

Background imageLaunched Collection: Diagram HMS Arethusa Arethusa-class Light Cruiser

Diagram HMS Arethusa Arethusa-class Light Cruiser
Diagram of the HMS Arethusa, a Royal Navy light cruiser. Launched in 1913, she was wrecked after being damaged by a naval mine in 1916. From British Warships, published 1940

Background imageLaunched Collection: Pope Urban II at Clermont-Ferrand, France, in 1095, where he attended the Council of Clermont

Pope Urban II at Clermont-Ferrand, France, in 1095, where he attended the Council of Clermont. The picture refers to his speech of November 27 when his call-to-arms launched the First Crusade

Background imageLaunched Collection: HMS Resolution of the Royal Sovereign class. The bulge along the waterline minimised an earlier

HMS Resolution of the Royal Sovereign class. The bulge along the waterline minimised an earlier tendency to roll. From British Warships, published 1940

Background imageLaunched Collection: Renard and Krebs electric powered dirigible airship, Le France, launched in 1884

Renard and Krebs electric powered dirigible airship, Le France, launched in 1884. From La Ilustracion Iberica, published 1884

Background imageLaunched Collection: The fifteen millionth Ford Motor Car, 1927. A new two seater model was launched on the market

The fifteen millionth Ford Motor Car, 1927. A new two seater model was launched on the market the same year at a price of 145 pounds. From These Tremendous Years, published 1938

Background imageLaunched Collection: White Star Line - RMS Britannic, launch at Belfast

White Star Line - RMS Britannic, launch at Belfast - Signal series real photo postcard of Titanic's younger sister Britannic being launched in Belfast on 26 February 1914. Date: 1914

Background imageLaunched Collection: Launch of the HIJMS Kongo at Barrow-in-Furness

Launch of the HIJMS Kongo at Barrow-in-Furness
Launch of the HIJMS (His Imperial Japanese Majestys Ship) Kongo by Madame Koike, first Battleship of the Kongo Class and the last Japanese Capital Battleship built outside of Japan

Background imageLaunched Collection: Japanese Battleship - Kashima - launched at Elswick

Japanese Battleship - Kashima - launched at Elswick
The Japanese Battleship - Kashima, shown at the Armstrong Whitworth shipyard at Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England, just after launch in March, 1905

Background imageLaunched Collection: Leaving SS Ivernia, Boston Harbour

Leaving SS Ivernia, Boston Harbour
SS Ivernia was built by Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Launched in 1899 by the Cunard Line company to act as an intermediate ship catering for the vast immigration

Background imageLaunched Collection: HMS Poseidon submarine

HMS Poseidon submarine
The launch of the British submarine, HMS Poseidon, a P class sub, launched on 21st June 1929 at the Barrow-in-Furness works of Vickers-Armstrong

Background imageLaunched Collection: Launch of Shamrock III

Launch of Shamrock III
At Dumbarton, the yacht Shamrock III is launched, supported on pontoons. Owned by Sir Thomas Lipton, the yacht was to be his third challenger for the Americas Cup

Background imageLaunched Collection: Douglas GAM-87 Skybolt air-launched ballistic missile

Douglas GAM-87 Skybolt air-launched ballistic missile

Background imageLaunched Collection: Alexander Keith / Jose Weiss Aviette launched from Amberley

Alexander Keith / Jose Weiss Aviette launched from Amberley
Alexander Keith/Jose Weiss Aviette launched from Amberley Mount Sussex, 1912. Date: 1912

Background imageLaunched Collection: Met Police Commissioner, Operation Bumblebee

Met Police Commissioner, Operation Bumblebee
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Paul Condon (now Baron Condon, b 1947), giving a talk about Operation Bumblebee, a campaign for burglary prevention launched in 1993. Date: circa 1993

Background imageLaunched Collection: Smoking Room on the RMS Aquitania

Smoking Room on the RMS Aquitania
View of the Carolean Smoking Room on the RMS Aquitania, a luxury Cunard Line cruise ship which launched in 1914. Date: early 20th century

Background imageLaunched Collection: RFA Birchol, British naval oil tanker, WW1

RFA Birchol, British naval oil tanker, WW1
The British naval oiler (oil tanker) RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) Birchol during the First World War. She was launched in June 1917, and served off the coast of northern Russia (Archangel) in 1919

Background imageLaunched Collection: Titanic launched at Belfast; Lord and Lady Pirrie

Titanic launched at Belfast; Lord and Lady Pirrie
The launch of RMS Titanic, at Belfast on the joint birthday of its builder and his wife, Lord and Lady Pirrie, whose portraits are inset

Background imageLaunched Collection: Italo-Turkish War (1911-12) - Assault on an Arab Traitor

Italo-Turkish War (1911-12) - Assault on an Arab Traitor
Italian assault on the house of an Arab Traitor. The Italo Turkish War was launched by Italy against Turkey, with the aim of gaining Libya

Background imageLaunched Collection: Italo-Turkish War (1911-12) - Courage

Italo-Turkish War (1911-12) - Courage
An Italian postcard entitled " Courage! Victory is Nigh!". The Italo Turkish War was launched by Italy against Turkey, with the aim of gaining Libya

Background imageLaunched Collection: RMS Tartar, 1883

RMS Tartar, 1883
Engraving showing the Union Steam-ship Companys Royal Mail Steamer Tartar and, inset, the Dining Saloon on board the ship

Background imageLaunched Collection: HMS Duke of York, 1943

HMS Duke of York, 1943
Photograph showing the Royal Navy battleship HMS Duke of York firing a salvo from her after turret in 1943. The Duke of York, launched in 1940

Background imageLaunched Collection: SS Ernest Bazin, 1897

SS Ernest Bazin, 1897
Illustration of M. Bazins Roller Steamer, SS Ernest Bazin, leaving Le Havre on a sea trial, July 1897. This vessel, launched in 1896

Background imageLaunched Collection: Twin Steam-Ship Castalia, September 1874

Twin Steam-Ship Castalia, September 1874
Engraving of the twin-hulled, paddle steamer Castalia, September 1874. Launched in that year, for the English Channel Steamship Company

Background imageLaunched Collection: Lifeboat / Cromer / Norfolk

Lifeboat / Cromer / Norfolk
A lifeboat creates a huge splash as it is launched into the sea at Cromer, Norfolk

Background imageLaunched Collection: National Lines SS Egypt under sail and steam, flying Red Ensign. Launched at Liverpool

National Lines SS Egypt under sail and steam, flying Red Ensign. Launched at Liverpool, England, 1871, one of her routes was Liverpool/New York. Currier & Ives print c1879

Background imageLaunched Collection: HMS Vulcan Torpedo-boat in Dry Dock

HMS Vulcan Torpedo-boat in Dry Dock
HMS Vulcan was launched in 1889 as a cruiser and torpedo-boat depot ship. Visible at top of picture are the curved arms of the special cranes fitted for deploying torpedo boats. Date: 1896

Background imageLaunched Collection: The tools for the job of European Liberation

The tools for the job of European Liberation
Photograph: The tools for the job of European Liberation. When the Allies launched the liberation of Europe the quantities of shells required to back up the attack and vehicles in vehicle depots

Background imageLaunched Collection: HMS Marlborough - A Torpedo breaking surface before its run

HMS Marlborough - A Torpedo breaking surface before its run
HMS Marlborough - A Torpedo breaking surface before starting its run. HMS Marlborough was an Iron Duke-class battleship of the British Royal Navy, named in honour of John Churchill

Background imageLaunched Collection: De Groofs Fatal Crash

De Groofs Fatal Crash
DE GROOFs device is launched from a balloon over Cremorne Gardens, London. Unfortunately, something goes terribly wrong, and he plunges fatally to the ground. Date: 9 July 1874

Background imageLaunched Collection: FRENCH CARRIER BEARN

FRENCH CARRIER BEARN
The Bearn of the French navy spent World War Two at Martinique to keep her out of German hands : by that time she was too slow for front line work, but did ferrying Date: launched 1920

Background imageLaunched Collection: Transporting the obelisk: launch of Cleopatras needle, 1877

Transporting the obelisk: launch of Cleopatras needle, 1877
The launch of the " Cleopatra" from the Caesarium Beach at Alexandria, Egypt. Date: 1877

Background imageLaunched Collection: Launching Cleopatras needle, 1877

Launching Cleopatras needle, 1877
The launch of the " Cleopatra" from the Caesarium Beach at Alexandria, Egypt. Date: 1877

Background imageLaunched Collection: The launch of the icebreaker on Lake Baikal

The launch of the icebreaker on Lake Baikal
The newly-launched hull of the Baikal. Date: 1899

Background imageLaunched Collection: The newly-launched Baikal under tow

The newly-launched Baikal under tow
A postcard with a view of the newly-launched hull of the Baikal being towed by another vessel. Date: 1899

Background imageLaunched Collection: Short Type 135 being launched

Short Type 135 being launched

Background imageLaunched Collection: Heinkel He 114A -catapult launched for use aboard Germa

Heinkel He 114A -catapult launched for use aboard German battleships and cruisers

Background imageLaunched Collection: Fiesler F-103 or V 1 -Over 9, 500 of these flying bombs

Fiesler F-103 or V 1 -Over 9, 500 of these flying bombs were launched against London starting in mid June 1944, with nearly 2, 500 more fired against Antwerp

Background imageLaunched Collection: The Heroines, Runswick Bay, Yorkshire

The Heroines, Runswick Bay, Yorkshire
The Heroines, Runswick Bay, near Staithes, Yorkshire, England. Showing the brave women who launched the lifeboat to save their husbands Date: 1901

Background imageLaunched Collection: Spanish ship Sant�ma Trinidad with 4 gundecks

Spanish ship Sant�ma Trinidad with 4 gundecks
Spanish ship Sant� ma Trinidad with 4 gundecks and 136 cannons, launched in 1797 and sunk in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Illustration after watercolor by Alejo Berlinguero (1750-1810)

Background imageLaunched Collection: Visit to Madeira - Deck of the Drummond Castle

Visit to Madeira - Deck of the Drummond Castle
Black and white lantern slide of the deck of the Drummond Castle steamer - Visit to Madeira. Part of Box 125 - Madeira. Boswell Collection

Background imageLaunched Collection: War Loan Campaign in Trafalgar Square, warships launched

War Loan Campaign in Trafalgar Square, warships launched
A novel feature of Londons war loans campaign, centred on Trafalgar Square where, among the war-themed exhibits on display to encourage the public to part with their money

Background imageLaunched Collection: HMS Natal w- Warrior class cruiser

HMS Natal w- Warrior class cruiser
Silk title of HMS Natal. HMS Natal was a warrior class cruiser, launched on the 30th September 1905 and during the afternoon of the 30th December 1916, under the command of Captain Eric Back

Background imageLaunched Collection: British observation balloon being launched, Arras, WW1

British observation balloon being launched, Arras, WW1
A British observation balloon being launched at Arras, France, 5 September 1915, by Louis Dauphin (1885-1926). Date: 1915

Background imageLaunched Collection: Thomas Lipton launches Shamrock IV, 1914

Thomas Lipton launches Shamrock IV, 1914
Sir Thomas Lipton photographed at Gosport in June 1914 after his fourth challenger for the Americas Cup had been christened by the Countess of Shaftesbury and safely launched in Portsmouth harbour

Background imageLaunched Collection: British armies launched gigantic attacks on Somme 1916

British armies launched gigantic attacks on Somme 1916
On 16 July 1916, after an intensive bombardment, the British armies launched a series of gigantic attacks on the Somme, which persisted until November

Background imageLaunched Collection: German flying bomb by G. H. Davis

German flying bomb by G. H. Davis
The flying bomb: Germanys latest weapon used against England during the Second World War. Explanatory drawings of the flying robot launched across the Channel to southern England. Date: 1944

Background imageLaunched Collection: Gliding with motorless aircraft by G. H. Davis

Gliding with motorless aircraft by G. H. Davis
Gliding and soaring with motorless aircraft explained: how sailplanes are launched and flown. Date: circa 1930s

Background imageLaunched Collection: Zeppelin at Bodensee

Zeppelin at Bodensee
A Zeppelin about to be launched at Lake Constance, (Bodensee), Germany. Date: 1906




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From the depths of history to the heights of innovation, these iconic launches have left an indelible mark on maritime and aviation history. In 1903, RMS Carpathia set sail, forever etching its name in our hearts as the heroic vessel that came to the rescue of Titanic survivors. Fast forward to 1937, and Birkenhead witnessed a momentous occasion with the launch of HMS Ark Royal, a majestic symbol of British naval power. Meanwhile, across the seas in Australia, Her Majesty's Australian Ship (HMAS) Melbourne (21) took its first plunge into unknown waters in 1957. This mighty warship would go on to serve its nation with honor for decades. The same year also saw another groundbreaking launch - CITROEN ID. 19 revolutionized automotive design and captivated drivers worldwide with its sleek elegance. In 1962, TS Arethusa gracefully sailed into existence as a training ship for future seafarers - a beacon of knowledge and adventure on tumultuous waves. Speaking of adventure, it was during World War II when B-25 Mitchell Bomber fearlessly took off from Hornet's deck; an awe-inspiring sight that embodied courage amidst chaos. The tragic tale unfolds as we remember LUSITANIA – once hailed as one of the grandest ocean liners ever built but met her untimely fate at sea during World War I. However, hope resurfaced with SS Great Britain's innovative plan – launched years before her time – showcasing Isambard Kingdom Brunel's visionary genius. RMS Mauretania made waves upon her launch in 1938; this luxurious liner redefined opulence while traversing vast oceans effortlessly. Rewinding further back in time brings us face-to-face with a meticulously crafted model: HMS Victory from 1737 stands tall even today as a testament to naval supremacy.