The gunboats Abu Klea, Metemmeh and Tamai (and a fourth vessel named El Teb) were built by Yarrows at Poplar and supplied to the expeditionary force attempting to relieve General Gordon beseiged in Khartoum in 1885. Each was a stern-wheel shallow draught steamer of about 90 feet in length and armed with a 9cm Krupp gun forward in addition to two heavy machine guns in an upper battery. Although the expedition of which they were part failed to reach General Gordon in time to save him, the gunboats were of immense value in Lord Kitchener's subsequent campaign to reconquer the Sudan some years later. During the bombardment of Hafir, 18-19 September 1896, Abu Klea was commanded by a young naval Lieutenant, David Beatty, who was to achieve more lasting fame as Admiral of the Fleet Earl Beatty, C.-in-C. of the Grand Fleet in 1916 and First Sea Lord three years later. Additional information is included with the lot.