HMS Royal Oak (1892) well as the Cruiser Squadron. In April 1904, while operating with the Home Fleet off the Scilly Isles, "Royal Oak" and her sister ship "Revenge" had their bottoms lightly damaged when they struck a sunken wreck. On 9 May 1904, "Royal Oak" became flagship of the Home Fleet's second-in-command, relieving her sister "Empress of India", and took part in annual maneuvers in July and August. On 7 March 1905, "Royal Oak" paid off at Portsmouth into the Chatham Reserve, and her crew transferred to the battleship "Caesar". The following day the ship recommissioned with a skeleton crew for service with
Royal Oak three hundred year-old descendant of the original and is thus known as 'Son of Royal Oak'. In 2000, Son of Royal Oak was badly injured during a violent storm and lost many branches. In September 2010, it was found to have developed large and dangerous cracks. Since 2011 the tree has been surrounded by a outer perimeter fence to ensure the safety of visitors. Three third generation descendants of the Royal Oak have been ceremonially planted nearby: Saplings, certified as grown from the Son's acorns, are available from the English Heritage shop at Boscobel House. In commemoration of the tree's