BATTLE CRUISERS
TIGER.
(Completed 1914.)
This is the largest battle cruiser in the British Navy. She was built at Clydebank, and was approaching completion at the outbreak of war. The displacement is 28,000 tons, length 660 ft., and Parsons’ turbines of 100,000 h.p. give a speed of at least 28 knots. Her armament comprises eight 13·5-in., twelve 6-in., and some smaller guns, with three torpedo tubes. The big guns are in double turrets on the centre-line, and all can be fired on either broadside. The 6-in. guns are mounted in an armoured battery.
For a battle cruiser this ship is heavily armoured. She has a belt at least 10 in. thick amidships, and the turrets are of equal thickness. She can store as much as 4,000 tons of coal and oil. The complement is about 1,100 officers and men. In appearance the “Tiger” is quite unlike other British battle cruisers. She has three equal-sized funnels and only one mast. Her total cost is understood to be not less than £2,200,000.
LION CLASS.
(Completed 1912-13.)
LION.
QUEEN MARY.
PRINCESS ROYAL.
These battle cruisers displace 27,000 tons, are 660 ft. in length, and 881⁄2 ft. broad. They have turbines of about 70,000 h.p., which enable them to steam at 28 knots, though this speed has been greatly exceeded in service. The main armament consists of ten 13·5-in. guns, discharging a projectile of 1,400 lb. weight, at the rate of two rounds per minute.
H.M.S. Bellerophon. Photo: Symonds & Co.
BELLEROPHON CLASS.
BELLEROPHON, TEMERAIRE, SUPERB.
Displacement: 18,000 tons.
Speed: 22 knots; Guns: 10 12in., 16 4in.; Torpedo tubes: 3.
| Astern fire: | Broadside: | Ahead fire: |
|---|---|---|
| 6 12in. | 8 12in. | 6 12in. |
These weapons are mounted in four double turrets on the centre-line, and can thus be fired on either broadside. Sixteen 4-in. quick-firers are carried for repelling torpedo attack. There are also two submerged torpedo tubes. The main armour belt is about 9 in. thick, with 10-in. plating on the turrets. The full fuel capacity is 3,000 tons, and the complement numbers 980 officers and men. These ships averaged £2,085,000 to build and complete.
INDEFATIGABLE CLASS.
(Completed 1911-13.)
INDEFATIGABLE.
NEW ZEALAND.
AUSTRALIA.
These vessels displace about 19,000 tons. They are 555 ft. in length, 80 ft. broad, and are designed for a speed of 25 knots, which was much exceeded during trials. The main armament consists of eight 12-in. guns, mounted in four double turrets, two being placed fore and aft, and two diagonally amidships, thus permitting all eight guns to be discharged on either broadside.
In addition there are sixteen 4-in. quick-firers mounted in the superstructure, and two submerged torpedo tubes. A 7-in. armour belt protects the waterline, the same thickness being on the turrets. The fuel capacity is 2,500 tons, including oil. A complement of 790 officers and men is carried. These ships cost about £1,500,000 each to build and complete.
INVINCIBLE CLASS.
(Completed 1908-09.)
INVINCIBLE.
INDOMITABLE.
INFLEXIBLE.
The Invincible class were the first battle-cruisers to be built. The type is a cruiser edition of the Dreadnought, combining great offensive qualities with high speed. The displacement is 17,250 tons, length 530 ft., and the turbines of 41,000 h.p. are designed for a speed of 25 knots. In service, however, these vessels have steamed at more than 28 knots. They are armed with eight 12-in guns, mounted in four double turrets, one turret being placed at each end and the other two en echelon amidships.
This system enables all eight weapons to be fired on either broadside through a very limited arc. Sixteen 4-in. guns are mounted for repelling torpedo attack. The waterline and vital parts are protected by 7-in. armour, this being also the thickness of the turret plates. Coal to the amount of 2,500 tons can be carried. The complement is 780 officers and men. These vessels each cost over £1,700,000 to build and equip.