Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. HMS Valiant was an ironclad battleship of the Hector class, in service with the Royal Navy from 1868 to 1885. Construction was initially undertaken by the firm of Westwood and Baillie. This company went into liquidation during the building of the ship, which was ultimately completed by Thames Ironworks. This, together with delay in the production of her armament, explains the great disparity in completion times between her and her sister, Hector.