Naval histories of the Royal Navy battleships HMS Inflexible. Battleship website dedicated to the history of HMS Inflexible from its launch to its participation in major wars.  

Battle of Jutland

HMS Inflexible - Name History

The fifth “INFLEXIBLE” is a 24-gun turbine battle cruiser, launched at Clydebank in 1907.  She is of 17,250 tons, 41,000 horse-power, and 26 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 539ft., 78ft.,and 26ft. On September 1^st, 1909, the “Inflexible,” while commanded by Captain Henry H. Torlesse, hoisted the Union Flag Admiral of the fleet Sir Edward Hobart Seymour.  She thus became the first steam man-of-war to carry the Union of an Admiral of the fleet.  The last occasion of a union being hoisted at sea was when H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence (afterwards H.M. King William IV.)  did so in 1814, to receive the allied squadrons at Spithead, on the occasion of  Napoleon going to Elba.  On the day that the “Inflexible” left Portsmouth the unusual sight was witnessed of a ship with two Union Flags flying.  That at the fore was the usual signal for a man-of-war leaving harbour, while the union flag of the Admiral of the fleet was being displayed at the main.  The battle cruiser proceeded to New York where the cruisers “Drake,” which was flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.T. Hamilton, “Duke of Edinburgh,” and “Argyll” joined the union.  The Admiral of the fleet was the representative of the British Nation at the Hudson-Fulton centenary celebrations, instituted by the state of New York in honour of the tercentenary of Henry Hudson’s discovery of the River Hudson and the practical centenary (really 102 years) of Robert Fulton’s launching the first steamer on that river.  The Admiral of the fleet, returning to England in the “Inflexible,” struck his Union flag on October 19^th, 1909.

HMS Inflexible, 1909.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP547

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP547

HMS Inflexible in dock, 1915.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP548

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP548

HMS  Inflexible photographed 1912

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PH172

HMS Inflexible picking up survivors from the German heavy cruiser Gneisenau.

"Alice" of HMS Inflexible.

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PH173

Some of the Crew of HMS Inflexible photographed 1912 

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PH174

Medals of CPO Louis Frank Appleton, who served on Inflexible, 1910 - 1912.  

The medals include a 1914/15 Trio (187208 PO/CPO L.F.Appleton. RN) Naval Long Service & GC Geo.V. (PO. HMS Inflexible) & Naval Good Shooting medal Geo.V. (PO. 1 CL. HMS Inflexible 1911 4 inch Q.F.).  Only 974 of the Naval Good Shooting medals were issued.

Contributed by Stuart Elliott.

HMS Inflexible - Sister ships of the Invincible Class