Intro
Discover the rich history of the Prince of Wales battleship, a British Royal Navy warship that played a pivotal role in World War II. Learn 7 fascinating facts about its design, construction, and demise, including its infamous encounter with the Bismarck and Yamato, in this engaging and informative article about naval warfare and maritime history.
The Prince of Wales was a British battleship that played a significant role in the early years of World War II. Here are seven facts about this historic warship.
Introduction to the Prince of Wales Battleship
The Prince of Wales was a King George V-class battleship, one of five ships of its class built by the British Royal Navy in the 1930s. The ship was named after the then-Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, and was designed to be a fast and heavily armed warship.
Design and Construction
The Prince of Wales was designed to meet the requirements of the Washington Naval Treaty, which limited the size and armament of battleships. The ship was 745 feet 1 inch (227 meters) long, with a beam of 103 feet 2 inches (31 meters) and a draft of 29 feet 8 inches (9 meters). It was powered by eight Admiralty three-drum boilers and four sets of Parsons single-reduction geared turbines, which produced 110,000 shaft horsepower.
Armament and Armor
The Prince of Wales was armed with ten 14-inch (356mm) guns in two quadruple turrets and one twin turret. It also had sixteen 5.25-inch (133mm) dual-purpose guns in eight twin turrets, as well as numerous smaller anti-aircraft guns. The ship's armor was designed to protect it against 14-inch shells, with a maximum thickness of 14 inches (356mm) on the belt and 5 inches (127mm) on the deck.
Service History
The Prince of Wales was commissioned on January 31, 1941, and immediately began a series of trials and training exercises. In May 1941, it sailed to Iceland to escort a convoy to the United States, where it was to pick up a cargo of munitions. On May 24, 1941, the ship intercepted the German battleship Bismarck and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, and engaged them in the Battle of the Denmark Strait.
Sinking of the Prince of Wales
On December 10, 1941, the Prince of Wales was sunk by Japanese aircraft while stationed off the coast of Malaya. The ship was attacked by a wave of bombers and torpedo planes, and it received four direct hits from torpedoes. Despite efforts to save the ship, it sank at 1:20 pm, resulting in the loss of 327 lives.
Legacy of the Prince of Wales Battleship
The Prince of Wales played a significant role in the early years of World War II, and its sinking was a major blow to the British Royal Navy. However, the ship's design and construction also influenced the development of future battleships, and it remains an important part of naval history.
Interesting Facts
Here are some interesting facts about the Prince of Wales battleship:
- The Prince of Wales was the first British battleship to be equipped with radar.
- The ship's crew included a young Winston Churchill's son, Randolph.
- The Prince of Wales was one of the fastest battleships of its time, with a top speed of 28 knots (52 km/h).
- The ship's sinking was one of the most significant losses for the British Royal Navy during World War II.
Comparison with Other Battleships
The Prince of Wales was one of the most advanced battleships of its time, but it had some limitations compared to other ships. Here's a comparison with some of its contemporaries:
- German battleship Bismarck: The Bismarck was larger and more heavily armed than the Prince of Wales, but it had a slower top speed.
- Japanese battleship Yamato: The Yamato was the largest battleship ever built, with a top speed of 27 knots (50 km/h) and a main armament of nine 18-inch (457mm) guns.
- American battleship USS Iowa: The USS Iowa was one of the fastest battleships of its time, with a top speed of 33 knots (61 km/h) and a main armament of nine 16-inch (406mm) guns.
Prince of Wales Battleship Image Gallery
What was the Prince of Wales battleship's top speed?
+The Prince of Wales battleship's top speed was 28 knots (52 km/h).
How many main guns did the Prince of Wales battleship have?
+The Prince of Wales battleship had ten 14-inch (356mm) guns in two quadruple turrets and one twin turret.
What was the Prince of Wales battleship's fate?
+The Prince of Wales battleship was sunk by Japanese aircraft on December 10, 1941, off the coast of Malaya.
How many lives were lost when the Prince of Wales battleship sank?
+327 lives were lost when the Prince of Wales battleship sank.
What was the Prince of Wales battleship's legacy?
+The Prince of Wales battleship played a significant role in the early years of World War II, and its sinking was a major blow to the British Royal Navy.
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