HMS Natal

HMS Natal was a Warrior-class armored cruiser built for the Royal Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. Laid down in 1905 and completed in 1907, the ship served in the First World War. Natal is primarily remembered for her catastrophic accidental explosion and sinking at Cromarty Firth, Scotland on 30 December 1915.

At the time of the explosion, Natal was alongside another ship, HMS Blenheim. It is believed that unstable cordite propellant used for the ship's main guns spontaneously detonated. The rapid explosion quickly capsized the vessel, killing over 400 crew and civilian workers, including women and children who were aboard for a holiday film screening.

The wreck of HMS Natal remains a designated war grave. While the wreck was partially salvaged, much of the ship remains on the seabed. The cause of the cordite explosion led to improved propellant handling and storage procedures in the Royal Navy. The event highlighted the dangers of unstable explosives and the devastating consequences of such accidents.