H.M.S. Amphitrite was one of the eight "Diadem" class of 'protected' cruisers ordered in 1895-96. Bulit by Vickers at Barrow, she was launched in January 1898, completed in September 1901 and did her first overseas tour on the China Station (1902-05) from which period this picture probably dates. Displacing 11,000 tons, she measured 462½ feet in length with a 69 foot beam and could make 21 knots at full steam. Although appearing both majestic as well as powerful, this slowness, coupled with her relatively light armament of 16-6in, guns, meant her active life was a short one and she spent much of her career either on harbour duties or in reserve. Latterly converted into a highly useful minelayer in 1917, she was laid off when the Great War ended and was sold for scrapping in 1920.