On May 5, 1905, the Royal Navy Drake-class armoured cruiser HMS King Alfred ran aground off Shoeburyness in Essex. The incident occurred shortly after the ship's initial commissioning during early sea trials or post-construction shakedowns in the Thames Estuary.
The vessel was subsequently refloated with minimal lasting damage and in 1906 went on to begin her career being deployed to the Far East. She remained in active service until she was sold for scrap in 1920.
You can read a little more about the grounding on the Royal Navy Cruisers Facebook page which you can reach with this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4065440930446493/posts/4467687873555128/
There are also many interesting facts in the comments section.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
With thanks to Bill Cox, Administrator, Royal Navy Cruisers Facebook page and to Philip Baldock's post.
THE GROUNDING OF HMS KING ALFRED OFF SHOEBURYNESS


