HMS Illustrious (1896)

Quick Facts

Ship Name: HMS Illustrious
Launch Year: 1896
Type: Battleship
Class: Majestic-class battleship
Launched: 1896
Commissioned: 1896
Armament: Heavy guns
Propulsion: Steam
Role: Battleship
Notable for: Pre-dreadnought era
Fate: Varied fates
Status: Decommissioned

HMS Illustrious (1896) was a Royal Navy pre-dreadnought battleship.

Service History

HMS Illustrious belonged to the Majestic-class battleship and served during the late nineteenth or early twentieth century transition before HMS Dreadnought transformed battleship design.

Historical Significance

HMS Illustrious forms part of the Royal Navy's pre-dreadnought era, bridging the gap between ironclads and all-big-gun battleships.

Other Ships with this Name (5)

HMS Illustrious (1896) (this page)

HMS Illustrious (87) – Illustrious-class aircraft carrier

HMS Illustrious (R06) – Invincible-class aircraft carrier

HMS Illustrious (1789) – Third-rate ship of the line

HMS Illustrious (1939) – Illustrious-class aircraft carrier

HMS Illustrious (1982) – Invincible-class aircraft carrier