A strong tidal force pushed Repulse into an anchored barge as she departed Sheerness in February 1900. The mishap shows how a large steam battleship without enough power immediately available could be moved by strong British tides. Her grounding in mud while under tow in 1901 reinforces the need for care in confined waters, although she was refloated undamaged after two hours. Machinery condition and local water movement mattered even outside combat.
Notable Point · 33:52-35:11
Steam readiness mattered in confined waters
Repulse’s collisions and grounding illustrate how maintenance, available steam power, tide, and towing shaped battleship handling near port.