At the outbreak of the Boer War, HMS Niobe escorted troop transports from Gibraltar carrying reinforcements toward the Cape. Niobe and HMS Doris also helped rescue troops from a grounded transport, and Niobe's crew received the Queen's South Africa Medal for their service. She later joined Diadem in escorting the royal yacht Ophir and appeared at Edward VII's coronation fleet review. Combined Channel and Mediterranean Fleet manoeuvres then tested her in a larger operational setting. Service as a reserve-squadron flagship and a 1908 refit show that the Royal Navy still regarded her as useful immediately before the Canadian transfer.
Chapter · 34:33-36:59
Niobe's Boer War escort, rescue, and fleet service
Before transfer to Canada, Niobe escorted Boer War troopships, helped rescue a grounded transport, and served in royal and fleet duties.