The Gallipoli campaign of the First World War is remembered as a battlefield where untold slaughter took place. It is a tale of desperation, horror, heroism, and defiance. Although largely told from a soldier’s point of view, the campaign also saw naval units of the Allies operate in theatre.
One such vessel was HMS M.33, an M29-class monitor. Between 1925 and 1939 she was known as HMS Minerva.
The monitor is a type of warship that conjures up images of vessels with a disproportionately large gun mounted fore of the bridge. However, HMS M.33 was armed with two (one fore and one aft) 6-inch guns. Along with four of her sisters, M.33 was built in Belfast. Two of the five monitors, M.33 and M/32 were built by Workman, Clark and Company as a contractor to Harland and Wolff. Each ship took only seven weeks to build – A remarkable feat.
Equally remarkable was the time it took from her being ordered (March 1915) to commissioning (June 1915).
M.33 is now berthed at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in No.1 Dry Dock which itself was constructed in 1801. The Historic Dockyard is easily accessible via public transport. It is a short walk from the Hard in Portsmouth where there are ferry, train, and bus terminals. Alternatively, the Historic Dockyard’s car park is a five-minute walk away down Admiralty Road. From here you turn left at Queen Street to head towards Victory Gate.
She is located at the very end of the Historic Dockyard, 385 metres from Victory Gate, the entrance to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. On the day I visited HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales were tied up at the jetty just behind HMS M.33. It was fascinating to see the old against a backdrop of the new.
At the top of the dry dock to the HMS M.33’s starboard are some information boards that contain pertinent information about the small vessel. To reach HMS M.33 you must make your way down the stairs to the dry dock. Fortunately there is a lift for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Before stepping aboard her, it is recommended reading the display boards situated just in front of her bow.
You board HMS M.33 through a door in the port side of the bow. To the left is a small flight of stairs that provides a view into a mess. It is designed to look like a scene from 1915. Heading back down the stairs to go through to the engine room. Unfortunately, the engines were removed from her. However, similar to an asteroid crater, the empty space evidently reveals the size of the machinery that powered her. The room also doubles up as an area where a short film about the Gallipoli campaign is shown. This immensely powerful film evokes sympathy with the men who fought in the campaign. HMS M.33 was deployed to the theatre of operations as a shore bombardment vessel; the very reason she and her sisters were built.
Moving aft, we next come to the locker room. This part of the ship contains a board showing how many men sailed on her, and the breakdown of the crew into their roles when at action stations. A total of 72 men made up her crew. HMS M.33 had a cat named Miss Muggins. The ship’s dog, owned by the Captain, was called Squab.
Also in this area was a display that told the story of four crewmen. The display is emotive and really brings to life the experiences of the men who served in the Royal Navy during the Great War.
At the very most aft section of the vessel is the accommodation area of the Royal Marines. A tight cramped space, it also contained one of the places where the ship could be steered from. This is where the exit out onto the deck is located.
On the deck there are two 6-inch guns to get up close and personal with, one located fore, the other aft (both original WW1 guns). There are two sections which are open to explore. These contain the ships’ shower, offices, the wardroom, and the cabins used by the officers. This is the section where Miss Muggins is located, curled up on a bed.
I made my way up to the bow. The bridge is small and was inaccessible but the door was open and a peek inside was had by me. Behind the bridge is the galley, and behind is the radio operator’s room. The Hotchkiss gun situated aft was not accessible on my visit. At this point, I had fully explored this unique and wonderful ship.
A visit to HMS M.33 is highly recommended. She is the only First World War-era ship in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, and therefore, well worth a visit.
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Luke was born and raised in Gosport, Hampshire, UK, a town with a rich naval history and heritage. He is currently studying for a master’s degree in Naval History with the University of Portsmouth. When he isn’t reading or writing about naval history, Luke can usually be found playing World of Warships or out on the Solent in his kayak.