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Author Topic: 1920s Cruiser in mediterranean ?  (Read 6978 times)

Kestrel

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1920s Cruiser in mediterranean ?
« on: 27 September 2025 12:05:31 pm »

I have another family photo of what I think may be a old (maybe Devonshire class?) Cruiser.. presumably in the Mediterranean.. in early? 1920s.

The larger ship on right looks to be flying a tricolour .. There is also a detail of the two ships.  Any identifications welcome.. also as to  where this anchorage might be.. Thanks
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PhiloNauticus

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Re: 1920s Cruiser in mediterranean ?
« Reply #1 on: 28 September 2025 09:55:58 am »

An interesting pic.   Probably in the Mediterranean – could it perhaps be Villefranche-sur-Mer ? This port on the French Riviera was frequently used by visiting warships as an anchorage.

The ship on the right of the photo is a French battleship – I would suggest a ‘Courbet’ class [ Courbet /  Jean Bart  / Paris / France ] launched 1911-12 and commissioned 1913-14   

 The ship on the left is a British cruiser –I agree that it  looks like a Devonshire-class Armoured Cruiser built 1903 - 04

If it is a Devonshire then  it may be one of those in the Third Cruiser Squadron  [Antrim / Argyll / Devonshire / Roxburgh] that were in the Med end- 1913 – early 1914
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Kestrel

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Re: 1920s Cruiser in mediterranean ?
« Reply #2 on: 28 September 2025 05:19:36 pm »

Thanks for the ID of Villefranche.. that it surely is.. this also makes it possible to suggest that in fact this is was taken in Feb-March 1920.. as I have found newspaper reports that "the officers and cadets of HMS Carnarvon lying at Villefranche".. were in the locality in the south of France ..and its midshipman ashore.. .. so this was when HMS Carnarvon was  serving as a cadet ship ..mainly 1920 I think ...just before being scrapped.. this would sit well with a relative - then a midshipman.. being aboard.. known to have been a midshipman on HMS Resolution by May 1921... 
A pre-war date would not fit with any relatives .. Many thanks again..
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