World Battleships List: Royal Navy Dreadnoughts
Revised 7 October 2001
Version 1.23
Compiled and Maintained by: Andrew Toppan (actoppan@hazegray.org)
URL: http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/battleships/
This list includes all British post-Dreadnought Battleships, Battlecruisers
and Large Light Cruisers.
General Notes:
England and Germany were locked in a naval arms race for many years prior
to WWI, producing large numbers of battleships and battlecruisers. British
battlecruisers were consistently under-armored and were very vulnerable to
magazine explosions. The odd light battlecruisers and large light
cruisers were a product of Fisher's madness; they were nearly useless.
The large battlecruiser Hood was a product of WWI, but she was in
many ways the first fast battleship. Most ships were little modified
during WWI, and the majority of the older vessels were discarded under the
Washington Treaty. The large light cruisers became aircraft carriers; the
"R" class ships were refitted between wars. The Queen Elizabeths
were extensively reconstructed, although that program was cut short by
WWII. The Renown class was similarly reconstructed; a massive
reconstruction for Hood was cancelled by war. The Nelsons
were the last new ships allowed under the Washington Treaty, they were
poorly constructed and had consistent problems. The 1930's King George
V class were the first British fast battleships, and the only modern
British battleships in WWII.
Dreadnought battleship
Displ: 18,110 tons normal; 21,845 tons full load
Dim: 527 x 82 x 31 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 4 shafts, 23,000 hp, 21 knots
Crew: 695-773
Arm: 5 dual 12/45, 24 12 pound, 5 18 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 4-11 inch belt, 1.5-3 inch decks, 11 inch barbettes, turrets
and CT.
Revolutionized naval warfare, instantly rendered old ships obsolete.
Introduced the idea of large, fast, heavily armored ships with
all-big-gun armament, turbine engines, and long cruising range. Was
the first all-big-gun ship completed but was not the first designed.
Dreadnought
Built by Portsmouth Navy. Laid down 2 Oct 1905, launched
10 Feb 1906, completed 12/1906. Rammed U-29 18 Feb 1915, only
battleship to sink a submarine. Refitted early 1916. Paid off
7/1918, to reserve 2/1919, on sale list 3/1920, sold for
scrapping 9 May 1921.
Invincible class battlecruisers
Displ: 17,373 normal; 20,200 tons full load
Dim: 567 x 78.5 x 26 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 31 boilers, 4 shafts, 41,000 hp, 25.5 knots
Crew: 784
Arm: 4 dual 12/45, 16 single 4/45, 7 MG, 5 18 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 4-6 inch belt, .75-2.5 inch deck, 2-7 inch barbettes, 7 inch
turrets, 10 inch CT
High speed, lightly armored ships with the main armament
of a true dreadnought, intended to replace armored cruisers
in scouting roles.
Invincible
Built by Elswick. Laid down 2 April 1906, launched 14 April 1907,
completed 3/1909. Slight damage at the Falklands 8 Dec 1914.
Sunk at Jutland 31 May 1916 by magazine explosion.
Indomitable
Built by Fairfield. Laid down 1 March 1906, launched 16 March 1907,
completed 6/1908. To reserve 2/1919, paid off 3/1920, sold for
scrapping 1922 under the Washington Treaty.
Inflexible
Built by Clydebank. Laid down 5 Feb 1906, launched 26 June 1907,
completed 10/1908. Slight damage at the Falklands 8 Dec 1914.
Serious mine damage 19 March 1915, repaired by 5/1915. To reserve
1/1919, paid off 3/1920, sold for scrapping 1922 under the Washington
Treaty.
Bellerophon class battleships
Displ: 18,800 tons normal; 22,359 tons full load
Dim: 526 x 82.5 x 27 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 4 shafts, 23,000 hp, 20.75 knots
Crew: 732
Arm: 5 dual 12/45, 16 single 4/50, 3 18 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 5-10 inch belt, .5-4 inch deck, 5-9 inch belt, 11 inch turrets,
11 inch CT
Slightly modified Dreadnought class with several flaws fixed.
Bellerophon
Built by Portsmouth Navy. Laid down 3 Dec 1906, launched 27 July 1907,
completed 2/1909. Collisions with Inflexible 5/1911, with
merchant ship 8/1914. To reserve as turret drillship 1919, for disposal
1920, sold for scrapping 8 Nov 1921 under the Washington Treaty.
Superb
Built by Elswick. Laid down 6 Feb 1907, launched 7 Nov 1907,
completed 5/1909. To reserve as turret drillship 1919, stricken
1920, used as target, sold for scrapping 12 Dec 1921 under the
Washington Treaty.
Temeraire
Built by Devonport Navy. Laid down 1 Jan 1907, launched 24 Aug 1907,
completed 5/1909. Training ship 1919, on sale list 1921, sold for
scrapping 7 Dec 1921 under the Washington Treaty.
St. Vincent class battleships
Displ: 19,560 tons normal; 22,800 tons full load
Dim: 536 x 84 x 28 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 4 shafts, 24,500 hp, 21 knots
Crew: 718
Arm: 5 dual 12/50, 20 single 4/50, 3 18 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 7-10 inch belt, .75-3 inch decks, 5-9 inch barbettes, 11 inch
turrets, 11 inch CT
Modified Bellerophon class, improved main guns.
St. Vincent
Built by Portsmouth Navy. Laid down 30 Dec 1907, launched
10 Sept 1908, completed 5/1909. To reserve as training ship 1919,
paid off later 1919, sold for scrapping 1 Dec 1921 under the
Washington Treaty.
Collingwood
Built by Devonport Navy. Laid down 3 Feb 1907, launched 7 Nov 1908,
completed 4/1910. Ran aground 2/1911. Reserve 1918 as training
ship, sold for scrapping 12 Dec 1922 under the Washington Treaty.
Vanguard
Built by Vickers. Laid down 2 April 1908, launched 22 Feb 1909,
completed 2/1910. Destroyed by magazine explosion 9 July 1917
while at anchor in Scapa Flow.
Neptune battleship
Displ: 19,680 tons normal; 22,720 tons full load
Dim: 546 x 85 x 28.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 4 shafts, 25,000 hp, 21 knots
Crew: 759
Arm: 5 dual 12/50, 16 single 4/50, 3 18 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 2.5-10 inch belt, .75-3 inch decks, 5-9 inch barbettes,
11 inch turrets, 11 inch CT
New design, theoretically allowed more guns to fire on the broadside.
Neptune
Built by Portsmouth Navy. Laid down 19 Jan 1909, launched
30 Sept 1909, completed 1/1911. Minor collision with merchant ship
4/1916. To reserve 1919, sold for scrapping 9/1922 under the
Washington Treaty.
Colossus class battleships
Displ: 20,225 tons normal; 23,050 tons full load
Dim: 546 x 85 x 28.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 4 shafts, 25,000 hp, 21 knots
Crew: 755
Arm: 5 dual 12/50, 16 single 4/50, 3 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 7-11 inch belt, 1.75-4 inch deck, 4-11 inch barbettes,
11 inch turrets, 11 inch CT
Slightly modified Neptune class.
Colossus
Built by Scotts. Laid down 8 July 1909, launched 9 April 1910,
complete 7/1911. Minor damage at Jutland. Training ship 1919-1920,
stricken 1920 under the Washington Treaty, sold for scrapping 7/1928.
Hercules
Built by Palmers. Laid down 30 July 1909, launched 10 May 1910,
complete 8/1911. Sold for scrapping 11/1921 under the Washington
Treaty.
Indefatigable class battlecruisers
Displ: 18,500 tons normal; 22,080 tons full load
Dim: 590 x 80 x 26.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 32 boilers, 4 shafts, 44,000 hp, 25 knots
(Indefatigable: 43,000 hp)
Crew: 800
Arm: 4 dual 12/45, 16 single 4/50, 3 18 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 4-6 inch belt, 1-2.5 inch deck, 3-7 inch barbettes, 7 inch turrets,
10 inch CT
Lengthened versions of Invincible class. An additional ship of
this class was built for Australia.
Indefatigable
Built by Devonport Navy. Laid down 23 Feb 1909, launched 28 Oct 1909,
completed 4/1911. Sunk at Jutland 31 May 1916 by magazine explosion.
New Zealand
Built by Fairfield. Laid down 20 June 1910, launched 1 July 1911,
completed 11/1912. Paid for by New Zealand, transferred to England
upon completion. Collision with Australia 22 April 1916.
Sold for scrapping 19 Dec 1922 under the Washington Treaty.
Orion class battleships
Displ: 22,200 tons normal; 25,870 tons full load
Dim: 581 x 88 x 25 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 4 shafts, 27,000 hp, 21 knots
Crew: 752
Arm: 5 dual 13.5/45, 16 single 4/50, 3 21 inch TT sub
Armor: 8-12 inch belt, 1-4 inch decks, 3-10 inch barbettes, 11 inch
turrets, 11 inch CT
New design with larger main guns and all turrets on the centerline.
Orion
Built by Portsmouth Navy. Laid down 29 Nov 1909, launched
20 Aug 1910, completed 1/1912. Sold for scrapping 12/1922 under
the Washington Treaty.
Monarch
Built by Armstrong. Laid down 1 April 1910, launched 30 March 1911,
completed 3/1912. Collision with Conqueror 27 Dec 1914.
Used as experimental ship postwar, then reduced to target ship under
the Washington Treaty, sunk as target 20 Jan 1925.
Conqueror
Built by Beardmore. Laid down 5 April 1910, launched 1 May 1911,
completed 11/1912. Seriously damaged by collision with Monarch
27 Dec 1914. Sold for scrapping 12/1922 under the Washington Treaty.
Thunderer
Built by Thames Iron Works. Laid down 13 April 1910, launched
1 Feb 1911, completed 6/1912. Training ship 1922-1926, sold for
scrapping 12/1926.
Lion class battlecruisers
Displ: 26,270 tons normal; 29,680 tons full load
Dim: 700 x 88.5 x 27.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 42 boilers, 4 shafts, 70,000 hp, 27 knots
Crew: 997
Arm: 4 dual 13.5/45, 16 single 4/50, 2 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 4-9 inch belt, 1-2.5 inch decks, 3-9 inch barbettes, 9 inch turrets,
10 inch CT
Battlecruiser version of Orion class design. Very poorly
armored.
Lion
Built by Devonport Navy. Laid down 29 Sept 1909, launched
6 Aug 1910, completed 5/1912. Disabled 24 June 1915 at Dogger
Bank, towed home by Indomitable. Damaged at Jutland 31 May 1916,
Q turret blown up, ship was nearly lost. Sold for scrapping
31 Jan 1924 under the Washington Treaty.
Princess Royal
Built by Vickers. Laid down 2 May 1910, launched 24 April 1911,
completed 11/1912. Damaged at Jutland 31 May 1916. Sold for
scrapping 12/1922 under the Washington Treaty, resold, scrapped 1926.
King George V class battleships
Displ: 23,000 tons normal; 25,700 tons full load
Dim: 597.5 x 89 x 28.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 4 shafts, 31,000 hp, 21 knots
Crew: 782
Arm: 5 dual 13.5/45, 16 single 4/50, 3 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 8-12 inch belt, 1-4 inch decks, 3-10 inch barbettes, 11 inch
turrets, 11 inch CT
Slightly modified Orion class. All discarded to
compensate for completion of Nelson and Rodney under
the terms of the Washington Treaty.
King George V (ex Royal George)
Built by Portsmouth Navy. aid down 16 Jan 1911, launched 9 Oct 1911,
completed 11/1912. To reserve 1919, then training ship 1923-1926,
sold for scrapping 12/1926.
Centurion
Built by Devonport Navy. Laid down 16 Jan 1911, launched 18 Nov 1911,
completed 5/1913. Collided with and sank merchant ship on trials
12/1912, repairs delayed completion. To reserve 1924, paid off
3/1925. Converted to target ship 1927. Rebuilt to resemble the new
King George V class 1941-1942, then static AA ship until 1944,
scuttled at Normandy 9 June 1944.
Audacious
Built by Cammell Laird. Laid down 2/1911, launched 14 Sept 1912,
completed 10/1913. Mined 27 Oct 1914, sank after towing
efforts failed.
Ajax
Built by Scotts. Laid down 27 Feb 1911, launched 21 March 1912,
completed 3/1913. To reserve 1924, sold for scrapping 9 Nov 1926.
Queen Mary battlecruiser
Displ: 26,700 tons normal; 31,650 tons full load
Dim: 703.5 x 89 x 28 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 42 boilers, 4 shafts, 75,000 hp, 27.5 knots
Crew: 997
Arm: 4 dual 13.5/45, 16 single 4/50, 2 21inch TT (sub)
Armor: 4-9 inch belt, 1-2.5 inch deck, 3-9 inch barbettes, 9 inch turrets,
10 inch CT
Modified Lion class.
Queen Mary
Built by Palmers. Laid down 6 March 1911, launched 20 March 1912,
completed 8/1913. Sunk at Jutland 31 May 1916 by magazine
explosion.
Erin battleship
Displ: 22,780 tons normal; 25,250 tons full load
Dim: 559.5 x 91/5 x 29 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 15 boilers, 4 shafts, 26,500 hp, 21 knots
Crew: 1070
Arm: 5 dual 13.5/45, 16 single 6/50, 6 6 pound, 2 3 inch AA, 4 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor:4-12 inch belt, 1.5-3 inch deck, 3-10 inch barbettes, 11 inch turrets
Seized Turkish battleship.
Erin (ex Turkish Reshadieh, ex Reshad V)
Built by Vickers. Laid down 1 Aug 1911, launched 3 Sept 1913.
Seized by the RN and completed as HMS Erin 8/1914. To reserve
1919, sold for scrapping 12/1922.
Agincourt battleship
Displ: 27,500 tons normal; 30,250 tons full load
Dim: 671.5 x 89 x 27 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 22 boilers, 4 shafts, 45,000 hp, 22 knots
Crew: 1100
Arm: 7 dual 12/50, 20 single 6/50, 10 single 3/50, 2 3 inch AA,
3 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 6-9 inch belt, 1-1.25 inch decks, 9 inch barbettes, 12 inch CT
Seized Turkish (ex Brazilian) battleship. Designed as the world's most
powerful warship; several designs were considered. Had more turrets on
the centerline than any other dreadnought.
Agincourt (ex Turkish Sultan Osman I, ex Brazilian Rio De Janeiro)
Built by Armstrong, Elswick. Laid down 10/1910, cancelled. Redesigned,
laid down again 14 Sept 1911, launched 22 Jan 1913. Sold to Turkey
9 Jan 1914, renamed Sultan Osman I. Completed 8/1914,
immediately prior to the war, but delivery was delayed until the war
started, then she was seized. Taken over by England 3 Aug 1914,
renamed Agincourt. Extensively altered before entering service,
was not a success in the RN. For disposal 1919, recommissioned 1921
for experiments, planned resale to Brazil cancelled, conversion
to depot ship started, cancelled 1921, sold for scrapping 12/1922.
Canada class battleships
Displ: 28,600 tons normal; 32,120 tons full load
Dim: 661 x 92 x 29 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 21 boilers, 4 shafts, 37,000 hp, 22/75 knots
Crew: 1176
Arm: 5 dual 14/45, 16 single 6/50, 2 3 inch AA, 4 3 pound, 4 22 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 4-9 inch belt, 1-4 inch deck, 4-10 inch barbettes, 10 inch
turrets, 11 inch CT
Chilean battleships purchased during WWII.
Canada (ex Chilean Almirante Latorre, ex Valparaiso, ex Libertad)
Built by Armstrong, Newcastle. Laid down 27 Nov 1911, launched
27 Nov 1913. Sold to England 9 Sept 1914, renamed Canada.
Completed 9/1915. Repurchased by Chile April 1920, returned to
original name. Modernized 1929-1931, overhauled again 1950.
Machinery casualty 1951, disabled. Sold 1959, scrapped in Japan.
(unnamed) (ex Chilean Almirante Cochrane, ex Santiago, ex Constitution)
Built by Armstrong, Newcastle. Laid down 22 Jan 1913, work stopped
during WWI. Purchased by England 28 Feb 1918 for conversion to carrier
Eagle. Conversion started, but industrial problems stopped
work from 11/1918 to 3/1919, then work was suspended in 10/1919
and she was nearly converted back to a battleship for resale to
Chile. Completion ordered 11/1919, completed enough for transfer
to Portsmouth Navy 3/1920. Conducted very limited trials, then went
into overhaul/completion from March 1921 to August 1922, commissioned
26 Feb 1924. Details were as follows:
Displ: 21,630 tons normal; 26,000 tons full load
Dim: 667 x 105 x 24.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 32 boilers, 50,000 hp, 4 shafts,
22.5 knots
Crew: 950
Arm: 9 6/45, 4 4/45, 6 21 inch TT, 21 aircraft
Armor: 1-4.5 inch belt, 1-1.5 inch decks
Reboilered 1931-1932, various AA armament modifications 1930's/1940's.
Sunk by U-Boat during the relief of Malta 11 Aug 1942.
Iron Duke class battleships
Displ: 25,000 tons normal; 30,380 tons full load
Dim: 622.5 x 90 x 29.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 4 shafts, 29,000 hp, 21.25 knots
Crew: 995-1022 (wartime)
Arm: 5 dual 13.5/45, 12 single 6/45, 2 single 3 inch AA, 4 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 4-12 inch belt, 1-2.5 inch deck, 3-10 inch barbettes, 11 inch turrets
Improvement upon the previous class with a better secondary
battery.
Iron Duke
Built by Portsmouth Navy. Laid down 12 Jan 1912, launched 12 Oct 1912,
completed 3/1914. Paid off 1929 under the Washington Treaty.
Converted to training ship 1931 with two turrets and armor removed,
speed reduced to 18 knots. To depot ship 1939 with all main guns
removed, badly damaged by bombs 17 Oct 1939, but she was repaired.
Guns removed early in WWII for use in shore defenses.
Sold for scrapping 2 March 1946.
Marlborough
Built by Devonport Navy. Laid down 25 Jan 1912, launched 24 Oct 1912,
completed 6/1914. Torpedoed at Jutland. Paid off 1929, sold for
scrapping 27 June 1932.
Benbow
Built by Beardmore. Laid down 30 May 1912, launched 12 Nov 1913,
completed 10/1914. Paid off 1929, sold for scrapping 3/1931.
Emperor Of India (ex Delhi)
Built by Vickers. Laid down 31 May 1912, launched 27 Nov 1913,
completed 11/1914. Paid off 1929, sunk as target 1 Sept 1931.
Salvaged, sold for scrapping 6 Feb 1932.
Tiger battlecruiser
Displ: 28,340 tons normal; 35,710 tons full load
Dim: 704 x 90.5 x 28.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 39 boilers, 4 shafts,
Crew: 1121
Arm: 4 dual 13.5/45, 12 single 6/45, 2 3 inch AA, 4 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 3-9 inch belt, 1-3 inch deck, 1-9 inch barbettes, 9 inch turrets,
10 inch CT
Improved Queen Mary class.
Tiger
Built by John Brown. Laid down 20 June 1912, launched 15 Dec 1913,
completed 10/1914. Damaged at Dogger Bank 24 Jan 1915 and at Jutland
31 May 1916. Training ship 1924-1929, paid off 30 March 1931, sold
for scrapping 7 March 1932 under the London Treaty.
Queen Elizabeth class battleships
Displ: 27,500 tons normal (design); 33,500-34,000 tons full load
Dim: 645.5 x 90.5 x 28.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 24 boilers, 4 shafts, 56,000 hp, 23 knots
Crew: 925-951
Arm: 4 dual 15/42, 14 single 6/45, 2 3 inch AA, 4 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 6-13 inch belt, 1-3 inch deck, 4-10 inch barbettes, 13 inch
turrets, 11 inch CT
First fast battleships. Three additional ships were to be built
at Canada's expense, but they were cancelled. Were overweight when
completed, could not reach design top speed of 25 knots. All refitted
1924-1933: bulges added, 104 foot beam 35,525-36,525 tons full load,
23.5 knots, 1 8-barrel 2 pound AA added, 2 TT removed. Three later
underwent massive reconstructions, the details of which varied.
The major reconstructions (Queen Elizabeth, Warspite and
Valiant) included an entirely new superstructure similar
to that fitted on the WWII era battleships. All ships of the class
were scheduled to be refitted to this standard, but the outbreak of
war prevented it.
Queen Elizabeth
Built by Portsmouth Navy. Laid down 21 Oct 1912, launched 16 Oct 1913,
completed 1/1915. First refit 1926-1927. Reconstructed 8/1937-
12/1940 at Portsmouth Navy, details as follows:
Displ: 38,450 tons full load
Dim: 645.5 x 104 x 34.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 80,000 hp, 4 shafts,
23.5 knots
Arm: 4 dual 15/42, 10 dual 4.5/45, 4 8 barrel 2 pound AA
Armor: 6-13 inch belt, 3-5 inch deck, 4-10 inch barbettes,
13 inch turrets, 2-3 inch CT
Up to 54 20 mm added during WWII. Sunk at Alexandria 19 Dec 1941,
salvaged by 1 Feb 1942, temporary repairs at Alexandria, permanent
repairs in the US complete 6/1943. Paid off 8/1945, sold for
scrapping 19 March 1948.
Warspite
Built by Devonport Navy. Laid down 31 Oct 1912, launched 26 Nov 1913,
completed 3/1915. Severely damaged at Jutland 31 May 1916, repaired
1 June 1916-22 July 1916. Serious damage in collision with Valiant
24 Aug 1916, repaired 26 August to 28 September. Collision with
Barham 1 Dec 1915. First refit 1924-1926. Reconstructed
3/1934-3/1937 at Portsmouth Navy, details as follows:
Displ: 36,450 tons full load
Dim: 645.5 x 104 x 33 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 6 boilers, 80,000 hp, 4 shafts,
23.5 knots
Arm: 4 dual 15/42, 4 dual 6/45, 4 8-barrel 2 pound AA
Armor: 6-13 inch belt, 3-5 inch deck, 4-10 inch barbettes,
13 inch turrets, 2-3 inch CT
Bomb damage repaired at Puget Sound Navy 11 Aug 1941 to 28 Dec 1941.
Severely damaged by guided bombs 16 Sept 1943, repaired as bombardment
ship with 3 dual 15 inch, 4 dual 4 inch, 5 8 barrel 2 pound AA, 35
20 mm. Mined 13 June 1944, speed reduced to 15.5 knots. To reserve
2/1945, paid off 26 July 1945, sold 12 July 1946. Broke tow en route
to scrapping, ran aground 23 April 1947, scrapped in place 1947-1956.
Valiant
Built by Fairfield. Laid down 31 Jan 1913, launched 4 Nov 1914,
completed 2/1916. Collision with Warspite 24 August 1916.
First refit 1929-1930. Reconstructed 3/1937-11/1939 at Devonport Navy,
similar to Queen Elizabeth, details as follows:
Displ: 36.513 tons full load
Dim: 645.5 x 104 x 33 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 80,000 hp, 4 shafts,
23.5 knots
Arm: 4 dual 15/42, 10 dual 4.5/45, 4 8 barrel 2 pound AA
Armor: 6-13 inch belt, 3-5 inch deck, 4-10 inch barbettes,
13 inch turrets, 2-3 inch CT
Up to 47 20 mm AA added during WWII. Sunk at Alexandria 19 Dec 1941,
raised 21 Dec 1941, temporary repairs at Alexandria, permanent repairs
at Simonstown. Damaged by the collapse of a floating drydock
8 Aug 1944. Paid off 7/1945, sold for scrapping 19 March 1948.
Barham
Built by John Brown. Laid down 24 Feb 1913, launched 31 Oct 1914,
completed 10/1915. Collision with Warspite 1 Dec 1915.
Damaged at Jutland 31 May 1916. First refit 1930-1933. Second
reconstruction, similar to Queen Elizabeth, cancelled due to
war. Torpedoed in the Mediterranean by U-331 25 Nov 1941, capsized
and magazines exploded.
Malaya
Built by Armstrong. Laid down 20 Oct 1913, launched 18 March 1915,
completed 2/1916. Paid for by the Federated Malay States.
Slightly damaged at Jutland 31 May 1916. First refit 1927-1929.
Reconstructed 10/1934-12/1936 at Devonport Navy: added 4 dual 4 inch,
2 8 barrel 2 pound AA, TT removed; reconstruction was less extensive
than later reconstructions. Third reconstruction, similar to Queen
Elizabeth, cancelled due to war. 2 more 8 barrel AA and 2 dual
4 inch added, 6 inch removed, total of 45 20 mm AA added during WWII,
displacement 37,710 tons. Paid off early 1945, sold for scrapping
20 Feb 1948.
Agincourt
Cancelled 26 Aug 1914. Would have been built by Portsmouth Navy.
Revenge class battleships
Displ: 28,000 tons normal; 31,000 tons full load
Dim: 624 x 88.5 x 28.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 40,000 hp, 23 knots
Crew: 908-997
Arm: 4 dual 15/42, 14 single 6/45, 2 3 inch AA, 4 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 1-13 inch belt, 1-2 inch decks, 4-10 inch barbettes, 13 inch
turrets, 11 inch CT
Slightly smaller version of Queen Elizabeth class. Were not
extensively reconstructed, but were fitted with bulges. AA armament
was 4 4 inch by 1828, with 2 6/45 removed. All received 4 dual 4 inch
1936-1939, old 4 inch removed. 4 6/45 removed 1942-1943. All had
2 8 barrel 2 pound AA added before WWII, 2 quad 2 pound AA added 1942-
1943, up to 42 20 mm added by 1945. TT removed from all 1938-1939,
except Royal Oak kept 4 tubes. Final displacements 33,650 to 35,390
tons full load. WWII proposal for reconstruction as coastal bombardment
ships rejected. Often known as Royal Sovereign class, but
official papers of the 1914-1918 period list them as Revenge
class.
Revenge (ex Renown)
Built by Vickers. Laid down 22 Dec 1913, launched 29 May 1915,
completed 3/1916. Fitted with bulges 10/1917-2/1918. Seaplane carrier
Campania drifted across her bows during a gale 5 Nov 1918,
sinking the carrier. Sold for scrapping 9/1948.
Royal Sovereign
Built by Portsmouth Navy. Laid down 15 Jan 1914, launched
29 April 1915, completed 5/1916. Fitted with bulges 1920. To
the USSR 30 May 1944 as Arkhangelsk, returned 9 Feb 1949,
sold for scrapping 5 April 1949.
Ramillies
Built by Beardmore. Laid down 12 Nov 1913, launched 12 Sept 1916,
completed 9/1917. Built with experimental bulges, fitted
with new bulges 1927. Sold for scrapping 20 March 1948.
Resolution
Built by Palmers. Laid down 29 Nov 1913, launched 14 Jan 1915,
completed 12/1916. Fitted with bulges 1917-5/1918. Sold for
scrapping 5 May 1948.
Royal Oak
Built by Devonport Navy. Laid down 15 Jan 1914, launched
17 Nov 1914, completed 5/1916. Refitted 1922-924, bulged.
Torpedoed and sunk 14 Oct 1939 in Scapa Flow.
Renown
Suspended 26 Aug 1914, reordered as a light battlecruiser. Would have
been built by Palmers.
Repulse
Suspended 26 Aug 1914, reordered as a light battlecruiser. Would have
been built by Devonport Navy.
Resistance
Cancelled 26 Aug 1914.
Renown class light battlecruisers
Displ: 27,650 normal; 30,835 tons full load
Dim: 794 x 90 x 25.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 42 boilers, 4 shafts, 112,000 hp, 31.5 knots
Crew: 1309
Arm: 3 dual 15/42, 5 triple, 2 single 4/44.3, 2 3 inch AA, 2 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 1.5-6 inch belt, .5-3 inch deck, 4-7 inch barbettes, 11 inch
turrets, 10 inch CT
Designed to use components from cancelled Revenge class
ships. Were very poorly armored, secondary guns were a failure.
Re-armored post WWI; major reconstructions varied. Ships were
generally unsatisfactory and spent much time in refit.
Renown
Built by Fairfield. Laid down 25 Jan 1915, launched 4 March 1916,
completed 9/1916. Displacement at end of WWI was 32,000 tons
due to additional armor and stiffening. Rearmored/reconstructed
5/1923 to 8/1926 at Portsmouth Navy, details as follows:
Displ: 37,150 tons full load
Dim: 794 x 102 x 31 feet
Prop: same except 30.25 knots
Arm: 3 dual 15/42, 5 triple 4 inch, 4 4 inch AA
Armor: 2-9 inch belt, 1-4 inch deck, 4-7 inch barbettes,
11 inch turrets, 10 inch CT
Second reconstruction 9/1936 to 2/1939 at Portsmouth:
Displ: 36,080 tons full load
Dim: 794 x 102 x 30.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 120,000 hp, 4 shafts,
30.75 knots
Arm: 3 dual 15/42, 10 dual 4.5/45, 3 8 barrel 2 pound AA,
8 21 inch TT (aw)
Armor: 2-9 inch belt, 1-5 inch deck, 4-7 inch barbettes,
11 inch turrets, 2-3 inch CT
The reconstruction included a completely new superstructure of modern
design; the ship became a fast carrier escort. Final WWII armament
was 3 dual 15 inch, 4 dual 4.5 inch, 3 8 barrel AA, 1 quad AA, 64 20 mm
AA, displacement was 38,395 tons full load. Paid off 1945, sold
for scrapping 19 March 1948.
Repulse
Built by Fairfield. Laid down 25 Jan 1915, launched 8 Jan 1916,
completed 8/1916. Displacement at end of WWI was 32,000 tons
due to additional armor and stiffening. Rearmored 12/1918 to
1/1921, 32,740 tons. Reconstructed 3/1933 to 5/1936 at Portsmouth,
details as follows:
Displ: 38,200 tons full load
Dim: 794 x 90 x 32 feet
Prop: same except 28.3 knots
Arm: 3 dual 15/42, 4 triple 4 inch, 2 dual 4 inch AA,
2 8 barrel 2 pound AA, 8 21 inch TT (aw)
Armor: 1.5-9 inch belt, .5-5 inch deck, 4-7 inch barbettes, 1
1 inch turrets, 10 inch CT
Sunk off Singapore by Japanese aircraft 10 Dec 1941.
Courageous class large light cruisers
Displ: 19,230 tons normal; 22,690 tons full load
Dim: 786 x 81 x 23.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 4 shafts, 90,000 hp, 32 knots
Crew: 828-842
Arm: 4 dual 15/42, 6 triple 4/44.3, 2 3 inch AA, 2 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 2-3 inch belt, .75-1.5 inch deck, 3-7 inch barbettes, 13 inch
turrets, 10 inch CT
Enlarged light cruisers, poorly armored, very lightly built.
Fitted with 12 additional TT 1917. Ships were totally useless,
converted to carriers starting in 1924, as follows:
Displ: 22,500 tons standard; 27,560 tons full load
Dim: 786.5 x 90.5 x 28 feet
Prop: same except 30 knots
Crew: 1216
Arm: 16 4.7/40, 4 2 pound AA, 48 aircraft
Armor: 3 inch belt
They had dual-level hangars, and a short forward flying-off deck.
Courageous
Built by Armstrong. Laid down 29 March 1915, launched 5 Feb 1916,
completed 4 Nov 1916. Fitted as minelayer 3/1917. To training
ship after WWI, then reserve, discarded under the Washington
Treaty. Converted to carrier 6/1924-5 May 1928 at Devonport
Navy (recommissioned 21 Feb 1928). Refit 1938-31 July 1939.
Sunk by U-29 17 Sept 1939.
Glorious
Built by Harland & Wolff. Laid down 1 May 1915, launched
20 April 1916, completed 14 Oct 1917. To training ship after WWI,
then reserve, discarded under the Washington Treaty. Converted to
carrier 1 Feb 1924-10 March 1930 at Rosyth Navy and Devonport
Navy (recommissioned 7 Jan 1930). Refit 1 May 1934-23 July 1935,
flight deck extended. Sunk by Scharnhorst and Gneisenau
8 June 1940 during the evacuation of Norway.
Furious large light cruiser
Displ: 19,513 tons normal; 22,890 tons full load
Dim: 786.5 x 88 x 21 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 4 shafts, 90,000 hp, 31.5 knots
Crew: 880
Arm: 2 single 18/40, 11 single 5.5/50, 2 3 inch AA, 2 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 2-3 inch belt, .75-3 inch deck, 4-7 inch barbettes, 9 inch
turrets, 10 inch CT
Modified Courageous class with two single 18 inch in place of 2
dual 15 inch. Completed as cruiser-carrier with a flight deck in
place of the forward gun, later fully converted to a carrier.
Conversion was similar to that of Courageous, the only
significant difference being the following:
Arm: 10 5.5/50, 2 4/45, 4 2 pound AA, 36 aircraft
There was no island.
Furious
Built by Armstrong. Laid down 8 June 1915, launched 15 Aug 1916,
conversion to cruiser-carrier started 19 March 1917, completed 4
July 1917. Aft flying deck added 10/1917 to 2/1918, reclassified
as aircraft carrier, recommissioned 15 March 1918. To reserve
21 Nov 1919 pending reconstruction. Reconstructed as a
flush-deck carrier 6/1922-1 Aug 1925 at Devonport Navy. Small
low-level island added 1939; rearmed with 6 dual 4/45 and 3 8
barrel 2 pound AA. Decommissioned 15 Sept 1944 due to deteriorated
condition, used as target/trials ship, sold for scrapping 1/1948,
scrapping completed 1954.
Hood class battlecruisers
Displ: 42,670 tons load
Dim: 860 x 104 x 28.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 24 boilers, 4 shafts, 144,000 hp, 31 knots
Crew: 1477
Arm: 4 dual 15/42, 12 single 5.5/50, 4 4/45, 6 21 inch TT (2 sub, 4 aw)
Armor: 5-12 inch belt, 1.5-3 inch deck, 5-12 inch barbettes, 15 inch
turrets, 11 inch CT
Originally designed as light battlecruisers, cancelled and
restarted as battlecruisers/fast battleships. Three ships
cancelled after Jutland. Often considered to be the first
modern fast battleship.
Hood
Built by John Brown. Laid down 31 May 1916, cancelled and scrapped.
Laid down again 1 Sept 1916, launched 22 Aug 1918, completed 5/1920.
Refitted 1929-1931. Reconstruction authorized 3/1939, cancelled due
to war. Final armament was 4 dual 15 inch, 7 dual 4 inch, 3 8 barrel
AA, 5 AA rocket launchers; displacement had reached 48,360 tons full
load. Was very badly in need of refit or replacement by 1941. Sunk by
Prinz Eugen and Bismarck 24 May 1941 off Iceland.
Rodney
Laid down at John Brown 9 Oct 1916, cancelled, scrapped.
Howe
Laid down at Cammell Laird 16 Oct 1916, cancelled, scrapped.
Anson
Laid down at Armstrong 9 Nov 1917, cancelled, scrapped.
G 3 class battlecruisers
Displ: 48,400 tons normal; 53,909 tons full load
Dim: 856 x 106 x 35.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 20 boilers, 4 shafts, 160,000 hp, 31-32 knots
Crew: 1716
Arm: 3 triple 16/45, 8 dual 6/50, 6 4.7/43, 10 quad 2 pound AA,
2 24.5 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 12-14 inch belt, 4-8 inch deck, 17 inch turrets, 14 inch CT
A powerful fast battleship design, based on post WWI theories.
4 ships ordered 26 Oct 1921 (from Beardmore, John Brown, Fairfield
and Swan Hunter). Suspended 18 Nov 1921, cancelled under the
Washington Treaty 13 Feb 1922, none laid down.
N 3 class battleships
Displ: 48,500 tons normal
Dim: 820 x 106 x 32-33 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 4 shafts, 80,000 hp, 23.5 knots
Crew: ???
Arm: 3 triple 18/45, 8 dual 6/50, 6 4.7/43, 10 quad 2 pound AA
Armor: 13.25-15 inch belt, 8 inch deck, 18 inch turrets, 15 inch CT
Cancelled under the Washington Treaty, none ordered or authorized.
Four ships had been planned.
Nelson class battleships
Displ: 33,313 tons standard; 41,250 tons full load
Dim: 710 x 106 x 28 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 2 shafts, 45,000 hp, 23 knots
Crew: 1314
Arm: 3 triple 16/45, 6 dual 6/50, 6 4.7/40, 8 2 pound AA, 2 24.5 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 13-14 inch belt, 12-15 inch barbettes, 16 inch turrets, 14 inch CT
Based on G3 battlecruiser design, reduced to comply with
Washington Treaty. Experienced machinery and gun reliability
problems; workmanship was not of the highest quality. Although
they were of modern design, the speed was very low, limiting their
value.
Nelson
Built by Armstrong. Laid down 28 Dec 1922, launched 3 Sept 1925,
completed 8/1927. Refitted 1937-1938, received minor armor
improvements. Mined twice and torpedoed once during WWII. Refitted
in the US 1944, final AA armament was 8 8 barrel 2 pound AA, 4 quad 40
mm, 60-70 20 mm. Postwar modernization cancelled. Training ship
8/1946-1947, then used as a bombing target, sold for scrapping
15 March 1949
Rodney
Built by Cammell Laird. Laid down 28 Dec 1922, launched 17 Dec 1925,
completed 11/1927. Overhauled in the US 1941. Final AA armament
was 5 8 barrel and 1 quad AA, 60-70 20 mm. Laid up 1945, sold for
scrapping 26 March 1948.
King George V class battleships
Displ: 36,727 tons standard; 44,800 tons full load
Dim: 745 x 103 x 29 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 4 shafts, 110,000 hp, 28 knots
Crew: 1422
Arm: 2 quad, 1 dual 14/45, 8 dual 5.25/50, 4 8-barelled 2 pound AA
Armor: 4.5-15 inch belt, 11-13 inch barbettes, 13 inch turrets,
4.5 inch CT
Built to meet Washington Treaty limitations. 5.25 inch
guns were unsatisfactory; ships initially had problems with
14 inch mounts. Final AA armament was 8 8-barrelled 2 pound
AA, 6 quad 2 pound AA (except KGV), 2 quad 40 mm AA, up to
65 single 20 mm AA. Stripped of light AA postwar. Laid up
pending conversion to missile ships, but costs forced cancellation
of the conversion schemes.
King George V
Built by Vickers-Armstrong. Laid down 1 Jan 1937, launched
21 Feb 1939, completed 11 Dec 1940. Destroyed Bismarck 27 May
1941. Rammed and sank destroyer HMS Punjabi 1 May 1942.
Private ship 1946-1950, to reserve 1950, sold for scrapping
20 Jan 1958.
Prince of Wales
Built by Cammell Laird. Laid down 1 Jan 1937, launched
3 May 1939, completed 31 March 1941. Damaged by Bismarck
24 May 1941. Sunk off Singapore by Japanese aircraft 10 Dec 1941.
Duke Of York (ex Anson)
Built by John Brown. Laid down 5 May 1937, launched 28 Feb 1940,
completed 4 Nov 1941. Sank Scharnhorst 29 Dec 1943.
To reserve 1949, sold for scrapping 18 Feb 1958.
Anson (ex Jellicoe)
Built by Swan Hunter. Laid down 20 July 1937, launched
24 Feb 1940, completed 22 June 1942. Extensive arctic
operations. Paid off 1949, sold for scrapping 17 Dec 1957.
Howe (ex Beatty)
Built by Fairfield, laid down 1 June 1937, launched 9 April 1940,
completed 29 Aug 1942. Extensive arctic operations. Training
ship 1950-1951, sold for scrapping 2 June 1958.
Lion class battleships
Displ: 40,500 tons standard; 46,300 tons full load
Dim: 785 x 104 x 30 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 4 shafts, 130,000 hp, 30 knots
Crew: 1680 as flagship
Arm: 3 triple 16/45, 8 dual 5.25/50, 6 8-barrelled 2 pound AA
Armor: 5.5-15 inch belt, 12-15 inch barbettes, 15 inch turrets,
4.5 inch CT
Enlarged King George V class, designed to meet Washington Treaty
limitations after the escalation clause. All suspended 3 Oct 1940
due to urgency of other construction requirements. Some work resumed
later, but they were scrapped 1942-1943. Plans to restart the
class to a modified design were cancelled in 1944 after Tirpitz
was sunk.
Lion
Laid down at Vickers-Armstrong 4 July 1939, scrapped after
218 tons were assembled.
Temeraire
Laid down at Cammell Laird 1 June 1939, scrapped after
121 tons were assembled.
Conqueror Would have been built at John Brown.
Thunderer Would have been built at Fairfield.
Vanguard battleship
Displ: 44,500 tons standard; 51,420 tons full load
Dim: 814.5 x 108 x 30.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 4 shafts, 130,000 hp, 30 knots
Crew: 1893
Arm: 4 dual 15/42, 8 dual 5.25/50, 10 6-barrel, 1 dual, 11 single 40 mm
Armor: 4.5-14 inch belt, 11-13 inch barbettes, 13 inch turrets, 3 inch CT
Modified King George V class, used 15 inch turrets from the
Courageous class.
Vanguard
Built by John Brown. Laid down 2 Oct 1941, launched 30 Nov 1944,
completed 9 Aug 1946. Stripped of single 40 mm guns postwar.
Training ship 1949, to reserve 1954, sold for scrapping 9 Aug 1960.
Lion class battleships
Displ: 50,000 tons standard; 56,500 tons full load
Dim: 810 x 115 x 34 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 29 knots
Crew: ???
Arm: 3 triple 16/45, 12 dual 4.5/45, 10 6 barrel Bofors
Armor: ???
In 1945 it was planned to restart construction of two of the
cancelled Lion class battleships to a totally reworked
design; they would have been completed in 1952. The details
given above are the upper limits of the design. The project
was cancelled because they could not be armored against aircraft
bombs (12" deck armor would have been required). In addition,
the British economy could not have supported construction of the
ships.
Lion
Temeraire
Never laid down.
The World Battleship Lists
Compiled and Maintained by Andrew Toppan (actoppan@hazegray.org)
Copyright © 1995-2003 by Andrew Toppan
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