HMS Vindictive (1897)

HMS Vindictive was a protected cruiser of the Arrogant-class built for the Royal Navy in the 1890s. She was laid down in 1896, launched in 1897, and commissioned in 1898. The Arrogant-class were designed as fast cruisers intended for scouting duties and protecting British trade routes.

Throughout her early career, Vindictive served on various foreign stations, including the China Station and the Mediterranean Fleet. During World War I, Vindictive initially served with the Grand Fleet.

In 1918, Vindictive was heavily modified to participate in the Zeebrugge Raid. She was stripped of much of her armament and fitted with mortars, flame throwers, and gangways to land Royal Marines on the mole at Zeebrugge. Her role was to act as a blockship and divert German attention away from the other ships involved in the raid. During the raid on 23 April 1918, Vindictive was badly damaged and suffered heavy casualties, but her crew successfully landed on the mole and contributed to the disruption of German operations.

After the war, Vindictive was initially slated for scrapping. However, she was refitted in 1920-21 as an aircraft carrier to replace HMS Eagle, which was being sold to Chile (a sale that was ultimately cancelled). This conversion was not very successful due to her relatively small size and limited aircraft handling capabilities. She primarily served as a training carrier.

In 1925, Vindictive was converted back into a cruiser, albeit with a much-reduced armament. She continued to serve until 1936 when she was finally sold for scrap.

Vindictive's historical significance stems primarily from her role in the Zeebrugge Raid, for which she earned several battle honors. Although her later conversion into an aircraft carrier was not entirely successful, it reflects the evolving naval technology and tactics of the interwar period.