The eighth HMS Vanguard of the British Royal Navy was an Audacious-class central battery ironclad battleship, by Edward Reed launched in 1870.

Vanguard was with two sets of 2-cylinder horizontal single expansion, return connecting-rod and 6 rectangular boilers that drove twin screws.

The engine had a total designed output of 4,830 indicated horsepower (3,600 kW) which gave Vanguard a maximum speed of 14.65 knots (27.13 km/h; 16.86 mph).

[2] Vanguard — under the command of Captain Richard Dawkins, sailed out of Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire) harbour on 27 August 1875 in company with three other ironclads, Warrior, Hector and Iron Duke.

The squadron — under the command of Admiral Tarleton, was en route to Queenstown (Cobh), County Cork where the cruise would finish.

Vanguard's sister ship — Iron Duke — noticed she was drifting off course and began returning to her proper station.

The abandonment was completed in good order with Captain Dawkins the last of the 360 crew aboard to leave and the only casualty was his dog which was lost.