HMS Warspite was an Imperieuse-class first-class armoured cruiser, launched on 29 January 1884 and commissioned in 1886.

Captain Thomas Philip Walker was appointed in command in March 1899, when Rear-Admiral Henry Palliser was Commander-in-Chief of the station.

[3] In late March 1902, Rear-Admiral Bickford transferred his flag to the newly arrived HMS Grafton, and was joined by Captain Keppel.

Warspite returned home under the command of Captain John Locke Marx (who had arrived on Grafton),[4] stopping at Bahia and São Vicente, Cape Verde on the way.

She arrived at Plymouth on 28 May 1902,[5] and paid off at Chatham on 1 July,[6] when she was placed in the D Division of the Dockyard reserve and prepared for emergency service.