The Queen Elizabeth class battleships were a series of five dreadnought battleships built by the Royal Navy during the early 20th century. These vessels played a significant role in World War I and the interwar period, with some serving until the end of World War II. The class consisted of Queen Elizabeth, Warspite, Barham, Valiant, and Malaya. Designed to be fast and heavily armed, the Queen Elizabeth class was a major milestone in battleship development, incorporating significant advancements in firepower, armor, and propulsion systems.
Design and Construction
The Queen Elizabeth class was designed in response to the emerging German König class battleships, with a focus on improving speed, firepower, and armor. The class featured a main armament of eight 15-inch (381mm) guns in four twin turrets, which were arranged in a superfiring configuration to maximize broadside firepower. The ships also carried a secondary armament of twelve 6-inch (152mm) guns and two 3-inch (76mm) anti-aircraft guns. The class was powered by parson steam turbines, which provided a top speed of 24 knots (44 km/h). The Queen Elizabeth class also featured a novel bulge design, which improved stability and reduced the risk of capsizing in the event of damage.
Armament and Fire Control
The primary armament of the Queen Elizabeth class consisted of eight 15-inch (381mm) guns, which were mounted in four twin turrets. The guns were arranged in a superfiring configuration, with the aft turrets positioned above the forward turrets to maximize broadside firepower. The class also carried a secondary armament of twelve 6-inch (152mm) guns, which were mounted in casemates along the sides of the hull. Fire control was provided by a director system, which used a combination of optical and mechanical systems to calculate firing solutions. The class also featured a spotting top, which provided a raised platform for observing the fall of shot and adjusting the firing solution accordingly.
| Ship | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Elizabeth | 16 October 1913 | 1 January 1915 | Scrapped 1948 |
| Warspite | 26 November 1913 | 8 March 1915 | Scrapped 1950 |
| Barham | 31 December 1914 | 19 October 1915 | Sunk 25 November 1941 |
| Valiant | 4 February 1914 | 19 February 1916 | Scrapped 1959 |
| Malaya | 18 March 1915 | 1 February 1916 | Scrapped 1948 |
Key Points
- The Queen Elizabeth class consisted of five dreadnought battleships: Queen Elizabeth, Warspite, Barham, Valiant, and Malaya
- The class featured a main armament of eight 15-inch (381mm) guns in four twin turrets, with a secondary armament of twelve 6-inch (152mm) guns and two 3-inch (76mm) anti-aircraft guns
- The ships were powered by parson steam turbines, which provided a top speed of 24 knots (44 km/h)
- The class featured a novel bulge design, which improved stability and reduced the risk of capsizing in the event of damage
- The Queen Elizabeth class played a significant role in World War I and the interwar period, with some serving until the end of World War II
Operational History
The Queen Elizabeth class battleships saw extensive service during World War I, with all five ships serving in the Grand Fleet under the command of Admiral John Jellicoe. The class played a key role in the Battle of Jutland, where they engaged the German High Seas Fleet in a fierce and bloody battle. The Queen Elizabeth class also saw service during the interwar period, with some ships serving in the Mediterranean Fleet and others serving in the Home Fleet. During World War II, the class continued to serve, with some ships playing a key role in the Battle of Cape Matapan and the Battle of Narvik.
World War I
During World War I, the Queen Elizabeth class battleships saw extensive service in the Grand Fleet, which was the main fleet of the Royal Navy. The class played a key role in the Battle of Jutland, where they engaged the German High Seas Fleet in a fierce and bloody battle. The Queen Elizabeth herself served as the flagship of the 5th Battle Squadron, which was part of the Grand Fleet. The class also saw service in the Battle of Dogger Bank, where they engaged the German Battlecruiser Squadron in a brief but intense battle.
What was the main armament of the Queen Elizabeth class battleships?
+The main armament of the Queen Elizabeth class battleships consisted of eight 15-inch (381mm) guns in four twin turrets.
What was the top speed of the Queen Elizabeth class battleships?
+The top speed of the Queen Elizabeth class battleships was 24 knots (44 km/h), which was provided by parson steam turbines.
What was the fate of the Queen Elizabeth class battleships after World War II?
+After World War II, the Queen Elizabeth class battleships were scrapped, with the last ship being broken up in 1959.
The Queen Elizabeth class battleships played a significant role in the development of modern naval warfare, with their fast speed and heavy armament making them a formidable force on the high seas. The class also featured a number of innovative design elements, including the use of bulges to improve stability and the incorporation of director fire control systems. As the world continues to evolve and new technologies emerge, the legacy of the Queen Elizabeth class battleships serves as a reminder of the importance of innovation and adaptability in the pursuit of naval supremacy.
