[ Main ] [ British Navy ] [ World Dreadnoughts ]

British Dreadnoughts

Entries in bold indicate photos.

Dreadnought Class

Dreadnought

The ship that caused a revolution. Although several navies were considering constructing all big gun warships at the time, the Royal Navy got there first, building the ship in great secret in a year and a day.

Bellerophon Class

Bellerophon Superb Temeraire

Dreadnought made the battleships of all other navies obsolete, but she did the same for Royal Navy ships. Expecting a quick response from foreign powers, the Admiralty laid down 3 improved designs immediatly Dreadnought was complete.

St. Vincent Class

Collingwood St. Vincent Vanguard

The St. Vincents were little more than repeats of the Bellerophons, with improved armour, and 50 calibre guns instead of the 45 calibres on their predecessors.

Neptune Class

Colossus Hercules Neptune

In specifications, the Neptunes were little changed from the St. Vincents, and Hercules and Colossus had greater protection than Neptune. A flying bridge was installed above the amidships turrets, and was used to carry the ships boats, despite blast damage from the en echelon turrets underneath.

Orion Class

Data History & Modifications Pictures

The Orions were the first British battleships to have all the main armament on the centerline. They also reintroduced the 13.5" gun to the navy. The increased weight of the guns and armour mean that an increase in size was necessary over their predecessors.

King George V Class

Data History & Modifications Pictures

Little more than copies of the Orions, the KGVs had slightly improved protection, and were also longer.

Agincourt Class

Data History & Modifications Pictures

Agincourt was laid down for the Brazillians, under the name Rio de Janeiro, and originally designed with 12 14" guns. Financial problems changed that to 12 12", and the ship was soon put up for sale. Acquired by Turkey, and renamed Sultan Osman I, the ship was taken over by the Royal Navy.

Iron Duke Class

Data History & Modifications Pictures

The Iron Dukes were improved versions of the KGV class, with improved protection. Iron Duke was flagship of the Grand Fleet.

Erin Class

Data History & Modifications Pictures

Erin was laid down for Turkey as the Reshadieh, along with a sister. Financial problems forced the cancellation of the other ship, and the Reshadieh was taken over by the Royal Navy, renamed Erin, along with Agincourt.

Canada Class

Data History & Modifications Pictures

Canada was laid down for Chile as the Almirante Cochrane, and was taken over by the Royal Navy for the duration of WW1. She was the first British battleship to mount 14" guns.

Queen Elizabeth Class

Data History & Modifications Pictures

Undoubtedly the best battleships built for the Royal Navy, the Queen Elizabeths were also the first to mount 15" guns, as well as being exclusivly oil fired.. The increase in armament was pushed through by Churchill, as First Lord. Another three were planned, to be paid for by Canada. But the Canadian Naval Aid Bill of 1913 was not passed, and they were never started.

Revenge Class

Data History & Modifications Pictures

Originally, there would have been 8 of this class, but 2 were later redesigned as the Renown class battlecruisers. Poor protection was offset by increased internal subdivision, including anti torpedo bulges.

Nelson Class

Data History & Modifications Pictures

The Nelsons were a product of the Washington treaty. As the Royal Navy had no 16" gunned ships, the treaty allowed 2 to be built to match American and Japanese ships. The design was limited by the treaty, however, and excellent firepower and protection was not matched by speed.

King George V Class

Data History & Modifications Pictures

As with the Nelsons, the KGVs were built to Washington treaty limitations, although as war came, the limitations were abandoned. Much criticised for their supposedly inferior armament, the ships proved a success in battle. After WWII, proposals were made to convert the survivors into guided missile ships, but this was considered too expensive.

Vanguard Class

Data History & Modifications Pictures

Vanguard was the last British battleship, and was armed with the 15" guns and turrets removed from the battlecruisers Furious and Courageous. Lack of aircraft space allowed for a much improved AA armament. Vanguard was an excellent seaboat, largely due to the pronounced sheer of the bows.