HMS Goliath (1898)

HMS Goliath was a Canopus-class pre-dreadnought battleship built for the Royal Navy in the late 1890s. She was one of six ships of her class, designed for service on foreign stations where their smaller size and shallower draught would be advantageous.

Goliath was laid down in March 1897, launched in March 1898, and completed in March 1900. She was armed with a main battery of four 12-inch (305 mm) guns in two twin turrets, and had a top speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).

Upon completion, Goliath was initially assigned to the China Station, arriving during the Boxer Rebellion. She served there until 1903, when she returned to Britain. During her time in home waters, she underwent refits and served in various fleet exercises.

At the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, Goliath was assigned to the Channel Fleet. Later, she was transferred to the Mediterranean Sea and subsequently to the Dardanelles campaign in 1915.

On 13 May 1915, while anchored in Morto Bay supporting the Allied landings, Goliath was torpedoed by the Ottoman Turkish torpedo boat Muavenet-i Milliye. She was struck by three torpedoes and quickly capsized and sank, resulting in the loss of over 500 of her crew. The sinking of Goliath was a significant blow to Allied morale and contributed to the eventual failure of the Dardanelles campaign.