Unattributed. "Channel Fleet. Britain's Floating Fortresses."

Unattributed. "Channel Fleet. Britain's Floating Fortresses."

Berlin: F. Lenz, ca. 1874. Chromolithograph. 10 3/4 x 14 1/2. Very good condition. 

In the nineteenth century, the foundation of the growth of the British Empire was the British Navy. By the middle of the century, the British Navy was the largest in existence and had fleets around the world. At home, the British Isles were protected by the Channel Fleet, filled with "Britain's Floating Fortresses." Here is an interesting German lithograph showing that fleet, the ships depicted in their glory off a mountainous coast. Included are the Resistance (1861), Triumph (1870), Northumberland (1868), Sultan (1870), Agincourt (1865)-over which flies Lord Alcester's flag-and the Devastation (1871), which was the first British capital ship not to have sails.