Battleships as instruments of diplomatic honor

North Dakota acted as honor escort for HMS Natal as the British ship returned the remains of US ambassador Whitelaw Reid. The host nation normally provided a ship for such a return, so the class and condition of the chosen vessel carried diplomatic meaning. The mission also required an honor guard and a well-drilled crew able to perform the ceremonial work immediately. HMS Natal, a new Warrior-class armored cruiser capable of 23 knots, could cross the Atlantic quickly while representing the Royal Navy at a high standard. Prestige, readiness, speed, and crew training all shaped this demanding form of naval diplomacy.