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Transcriber's notes:
HMS Glory Canopus Class - built by Lair, Birkenhead, laid down December 1896, launched 1899, completed 1900 , cost 895,814 pounds. First commissioned 1900.
6 ships of this class built between 1896 and 1902
Crew 682
Propulsion - triple expansion approx max. speed 19kts. Coal burning.
Main armament - 4X 12inch; 6X 6 inch guns World War 1 service
Attached to Channel Fleet.
5 August 1914 sent to Halifax as guard ship and to support cruisers in North American waters.
October 1914, escorted 1st Canadian Division to England.
May 1915 , transferred to Dardanelles December 1915, joined Suez Canal Patrol April to July 1916 refit at Portsmouth.
1 Augustl916 to 1919, flagship British North Russia Squadron based at Archangel 1922, sold for scrap.
The Nanson diary covers the above periods from 2 August 1914 [ Channel Fleet] to commencement of refit at Portsmouth.
Commissioned HMS Glory, Portsmouth 2 August 1914
[Note, Britain declared war on Germany on 5 August 1914, following the expiry of an ultimatum sent to Germany on 4 August. The ultimatum demanded that Germany immediately quit the invasion of Belgium or Britain would declare war.(Germany crossed Belgium frontier on the morning of 4 August) Germany ignored the ultimatum. The recommissioning of HMS Glory on 2 August indicates that the navy was engaged in a mobilisation exercise given the build-up of international tensions, and Glory was either resuming with the fleet following a period in reserve or resuming operational duties following dockyard refit. The diary does not indicate whether this was Nansen's first introduction to sea-going service, and/or that he had previous navy experience.]
Left Portsmouth 5 August 1914 6pm Arrived Plymouth ditto [5 August] 10pm?
Left Plymouth 6 August 6pm
Heave to steamer Spencer-Liverpool with cargo [of] grain for Germany. Sent her into Falmouth.
[It appears that Glory apprehended a cargo steamer with a load of grain finally destined for Germany, In other words, the British blockade of Germany had commenced.]
[This action was incidental to Glory proceeding to Halifax to commence duty, based at that port, as a guardship, ie a ship specifically located in order to repel any enemy attempt to invest, disrupt or damage port operations. Halifax, by virtue of its strategic position adjacent to the Atlantic , was seen as a vital port in the British - Canadian relationship, and the Canadians, not having much of a navy themselves, relied on the RN to perform such duties. Likewise, troop convoy escort.]
Arrived Halifax 16th [August]
Coaled ship -1500 tons
[Coaling ship was a disgusting job, and involved most of the ship's company. Many descriptions as to this exercise abound .eg Churchill - "The ordeal of coaling ship exhausted the whole ship's company" [Masse -'Dreadnought' p784] Because of the bunkering system, coal could only be taken on board in bags, by individual sailors. It was filthy work. After the loading was completed, the clean-up was monumental, because the coal dust permeated into every nook and cranny..]
Left Halifax 25 August Cruising around New York
[The entry "cruising around New York" indicates the ocean area patrolled by HMS Glory in the role of guardship, port of Halifax. Sailing south from Halifax {capital of Nova Scotia) immediately brings a ship into proximity with the U.S. New England states and the waters adjacent to the coast of New York.]
Arrived Halifax 31 August Coal 9oo tons
Left Halifax 5th September
Cruising - Captured two steamers –