HMS Thunder Child HMS Thunder Child HMS "Thunder Child" is a fictional ironclad torpedo ram of the Royal Navy, destroyed by Martian fighting-machines in H. G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds" whilst protecting a refugee rescue fleet of civilian vessels. Torpedo rams were constructed in the 1870s and 1880s after the ramming and sinking of the "Re d'Italia" at the Battle of Lissa in 1866 by the Austrian flagship, "Ferdinand Max". Despite the Italian warship being stationary at the time, the successful attack influenced naval thinking for the next few decades. The result was specially designed low profile, fast, armoured vessels equipped
John Corbett (Royal Navy officer) John Corbett (Royal Navy officer) Admiral Sir John Corbett (15 July 1822 – 10 December 1893) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station. Corbett joined the Royal Navy in 1835. Promoted to Commander in 1852, he served in the Second Opium War. Following his promotion to Captain in 1857, he commanded HMS "Scout", HMS "Hastings", HMS "Black Prince" and then the training ship HMS "Britannia". In 1867 he commanded HMS "Warrior". He was made Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station in 1877 and Commander-in-Chief, The Nore in 1884. He retired in 1887. In his spare