HMS Canopus launched at Portsmouth

Background. HMS Canopus was the lead ship of the Canopus class, a group of pre-dreadnought battleships intended for service in Asia. These ships were smaller and faster than the preceding Majestic-class vessels, achieving 18 knots, yet retained the same battery of four 12-inch guns. The class was designed to counter the rising naval power of Japan, though this strategic role became redundant following the Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902.

Construction and Launch. The keel for HMS Canopus was laid down at Portsmouth Dockyard on 4 January 1897. The ship was subsequently launched on 12 October 1897, a date that corrects the legacy row's assertion of 13 October. The vessel was named after the ancient city of Canopus in Egypt, the site of the Battle of the Nile. Completion of the ship occurred on 5 December 1899.

Commissioning. Following its launch, HMS Canopus was commissioned at Portsmouth on 5 December 1899. The ship was assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet for its initial service. This commissioning marked the transition from construction to active naval duty, establishing the vessel's operational status within the Royal Navy.