Chapter Content
On 10 February 1906, the sky over Portsmouth was low and grey, the kind of damp English cold that soaked through greatcoats and uniforms alike. Flags hung in neat lines above HM Dockyard, Slip No. 5 was cleared and guarded, and a crowd of officers, shipyard men and invited guests watched the monster on the stocks that would soon touch water for the first time.
Even in this sober weather, nothing could hide the pride in British eyes.
At the edge of the crowd stood Admiral of the Fleet Sir John "Jacky" Fisher, First Sea Lord of the Admiralty, wrapped in his heavy coat, sharp eyes fixed on the ship that was his favourite child. Beside him were other senior officers and a scattering of politicians, including the new First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Tweedmouth, representing the Liberal government in London.
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