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.
PRE-DREADNOUGHTS.
KING EDWARD CLASS.
(Completed 1904-06.)
KING EDWARD VII.
ZEALANDIA.
BRITANNIA.
HIBERNIA.
DOMINION.
COMMONWEALTH.
HINDUSTAN.
AFRICA.
The King Edward class is considered to be the finest homogeneous group of pre-Dreadnought battleships in the world. The displacement is 16,350 tons, length 425 ft., and engines of 18,000 h.p. give a speed of over 19 knots. The armament consists of four 12-in., four 9·2-in., ten 6-in., twelve 12-pounder, and twelve 3-pounder guns, with four torpedo tubes.
All eight big guns are mounted in armoured turrets, the 6-in. weapons being in a box battery. Broadside fire is from four 12-in., two 9·2-in., and five 6-in. guns. A 9-in. armour belt protects vital parts. On the main turrets there is 12-in. plating, and the smaller guns also have good protection. The maximum coal supply is 2,200 tons. A complement of 820 officers and men is carried. These ships each cost about £1,450,000 to build and equip.