Royal Visit to Barrow and Launch of HMS Dominion (1903)

Princess Louise comes to Edwardian Barrow in Furness to christen the battleship HMS Dominion.

The launch of a major battleship was always an occasion for great celebration. The tradition of asking a lady of rank to launch the ship dates from the mid 19th century - in this case it was HRH Princess Louise, eldest daughter of Edward VII. The footage of the launch is particularly fine, and we get a good view of the Princess in her carriage, although we don't see the bottle-breaking ceremony.