Royal Sovereign Class Battleship (1891): Difference between revisions

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The '''''Royal Sovereign''''' class was a class of eight first-class [[battleship]]s built for the British [[Royal Navy]] in the early 1890s under the [[Naval Defence Act]] of 1889.  The ships of the class were armed with four 13.5-inch arranged in twin [[barbette]]s, except for one ship, [[H.M.S. Hood (1891)|''Hood'']], which had her main armament arranged in twin [[turret]]s.
The '''''Royal Sovereign''''' class was a class of eight first-class [[battleship]]s built for the British [[Royal Navy]] in the early 1890s under the [[Naval Defence Act]] of 1889.  The ships of the class were armed with four 13.5-inch arranged in twin [[barbette]]s, except for one ship, [[H.M.S. Hood (1891)|''Hood'']], which had her main armament arranged in twin [[turret]]s.
<div name=fredbot:ships>
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border=2 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="margin: 0 0 1em 0.5em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;" align=center;
|-
! colspan=6 align=left|Overview of 8 vessels
|-
| colspan=6 align=left|<small>Citations for this data available on individual ship pages</small>
|-
! align=center | Name
! align=center | Builder
! align=center | Laid Down
! align=center | Launched
! align=center | Completed
! align=center | Fate
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-EmpressOfIndia}}
|[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]
|9 Jul, 1889
|7 May, 1891
|Aug, 1893
|Sunk 1913
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Hood}}
|[[Chatham Royal Dockyard]]
|12 Aug, 1889
|30 Jul, 1891
|May, 1893
|Sunk 3 Nov, 1914
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Ramillies}}
|[[J. & G. Thomson]], Clydebank
|11 Aug, 1890
|1 Mar, 1892
|Oct, 1893
|Sold 1913
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Repulse}}
|[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]
|1 Jan, 1890
|27 Feb, 1892
|Apr, 1894
|Sold 1911
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Resolution}}
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|14 Jun, 1890
|28 May, 1892
|Nov, 1893
|Sold 1914
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1RoyalOak}}
|[[Laird]], Birkenhead
|29 May, 1890
|5 Nov, 1892
|Jun, 1894
|Sold 1914
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1RoyalSovereign}}
|[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]]
|30 Sep, 1889
|26 Feb, 1891
|May, 1892
|Sold 7 Oct, 1913
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Revenge}}
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|12 Feb, 1891
|3 Nov, 1892
|Mar, 1894
|Sold 6 Nov, 1919
|}
</div name=fredbot:ships>
==Armament==
A film of the 13.5-inch guns of a ''Royal Sovereign'' class battleship in action can be found [http://player.bfi.org.uk/player/watch-from-the-fighting-top-of-a-battleship-in-action-150026671/E4eTRvbjpytk6Ue2yU5bKabb6B9OsbTW/default/search here.]
===Torpedoes===
Originally, there were five above-water and two submerged 18-in tubes:{{ARTS1891|pp. 38-9}}{{UKTorpM1909III|p. 265}}
* four above-water, fixed broadside tubes at corners of armoured citadel with the projecting lips having a 3-in armoured trunk, two at 50 degrees abaft the beam and 2 degrees depression, and two at 42 degrees ahead, horizontal.
* one above water fixed tube astern, horizontal, with a 3-in armoured shutter.
* two submerged broadside forward, depressed 1 degree and angled directly abeam; axis of tube was 11 foot 9 inches below load water line and 2 foot 3.5 inches above the deck.
It is possible that the above water tubes were later removed.{{INF}}


==Fire Control==
==Fire Control==
Though it may have little relevance given the age difference, the general system of wiring between the T.S.es in ships prior to [[Lord Nelson Class Battleship (1906)|''Lord Nelson'' class]] is illustrated in ''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914''.<ref>''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914''.  p. 50 & Plates 50 and 54(I).</ref>
Though it may have little relevance given the age difference, the general system of wiring between the T.S.es in ships prior to [[Lord Nelson Class Battleship (1906)|''Lord Nelson'' class]] is illustrated in ''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914''.{{HFCI1914|p. 50 & Plates 50 and 54(I)}}


===Rangefinders===
===Rangefinders===
Line 13: Line 95:


===Directors===
===Directors===
These ships never received directors for main or secondary batteries.<ref>''Director Firing Handbook, 1917''.  pp. 142-3.</ref>
These ships never received directors for main or secondary batteries.{{DirectorH|pp. 142-3}}


===Gunnery Control===
===Gunnery Control===


===Local Control in Turrets===
===Local Control in Turrets===
There was no provision in these ships for local turret control wherein the receivers in the turret could be driven by transmitters in the officer's position at the back of the turret.<ref>''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914''.  p. 50.</ref>
There was no provision in these ships for local turret control wherein the receivers in the turret could be driven by transmitters in the officer's position at the back of the turret.{{HFCI1914|p. 50}}


===Transmitting Stations===
===Transmitting Stations===


===Dreyer Table===
===Dreyer Table===
These ships never received Dreyer tables.<ref>''Handbook of Capt. F.C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables''.  p. 3.</ref>
These ships never received Dreyer tables.{{DreyerH|p. 3}}


===Fire Control Instruments===
===Fire Control Instruments===
In 1906, it was planned to equip ''Hood'', ''Repulse'' and ''Ramillies'' with Siemens Mark II equipment throughout,<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1906''.  p. 82.</ref> and the ''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909'' shows that all other ships in the class were given Mark I equipment (except Redoubtable, which is conspicuously omitted).<ref>''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909''.  p. 56.</ref>
In 1906, it was planned to equip ''Hood'', ''Repulse'' and ''Ramillies'' with Siemens Mark II equipment throughout,{{ARTS1906|p. 82}} and the ''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909'' shows that all other ships in the class were given Mark I equipment (except Redoubtable, which is conspicuously omitted).{{HFCI1909|p. 56}}


The equipment listed in the 1909 handbook indicates it is for the Mark I majority, but may also described the equipment of the Mark II ships:<ref>''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909'', p. 59.</ref>
The equipment listed in the 1909 handbook indicates it is for the Mark I majority, but may also described the equipment of the Mark II ships:{{HFCI1909|p. 59}}
* Range:  4 transmitters, 21 receivers
* Range:  4 transmitters, 21 receivers
* Orders: 4 transmitters, 14 receivers
* Orders: 4 transmitters, 14 receivers
Line 34: Line 116:
* Deflection: 4 transmitters, 21 receivers
* Deflection: 4 transmitters, 21 receivers


Additionally, the entire class had the following [[Siemens Fire Control Instruments|Siemens equipment]]:<ref>''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909'', p. 59.</ref>
Additionally, the entire class had the following [[Siemens Fire Control Instruments|Siemens equipment]]:{{HFCI1909|p. 59}}
* Group Switches:  none
* Group Switches:  none
* Turret fire gongs: 4 with 2 keys (''Revenge'' only)
* Turret fire gongs: 4 with 2 keys ({{UK-1Revenge}} only)
* Fire Gongs: 10 with 2 keys
* Fire Gongs: 10 with 2 keys
* Captain's Cease Fire Bells:  14 with 1 key
* Captain's Cease Fire Bells:  14 with 1 key
Line 50: Line 132:
==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{BibParkesBritishBattleships}}
*{{ParkesBritishBattleships}}
*{{HFCI1909}}
*{{HFCI1909}}
*{{HFCI1914}}
*{{HFCI1914}}
*{{ARTS1906}}
*{{ARTS1906}}
* R A Burt.  ''The Magnificent 7: The Royal Sovereign Class of 1889'', a two part article in [[Warship (Journal)|Warship]], Issues 14-15.
* R A Burt.  ''The Magnificent 7: The Royal Sovereign Class of 1889'', a two-part article in [[Warship (Journal)|Warship]], Issues 14-15.
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


{{Royal Sovereign Class (1891)}}
{{Footer Royal Sovereign Class Battleship (1891)}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Sovereign}}
 
{{CatClassPreDreadnought|UK}}
 
 
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{{CatClassUKPreDreadnought|sort=Royal Sovereign}}
data -->

Latest revision as of 18:30, 6 April 2018

For the 20th century class of Super-Dreadnought sometimes referred to as the Royal Sovereign class, please go to the Revenge Class page.

The Royal Sovereign class was a class of eight first-class battleships built for the British Royal Navy in the early 1890s under the Naval Defence Act of 1889. The ships of the class were armed with four 13.5-inch arranged in twin barbettes, except for one ship, Hood, which had her main armament arranged in twin turrets.

Armament

A film of the 13.5-inch guns of a Royal Sovereign class battleship in action can be found here.

Torpedoes

Originally, there were five above-water and two submerged 18-in tubes:[1][2]

  • four above-water, fixed broadside tubes at corners of armoured citadel with the projecting lips having a 3-in armoured trunk, two at 50 degrees abaft the beam and 2 degrees depression, and two at 42 degrees ahead, horizontal.
  • one above water fixed tube astern, horizontal, with a 3-in armoured shutter.
  • two submerged broadside forward, depressed 1 degree and angled directly abeam; axis of tube was 11 foot 9 inches below load water line and 2 foot 3.5 inches above the deck.

It is possible that the above water tubes were later removed.[Inference]

Fire Control

Though it may have little relevance given the age difference, the general system of wiring between the T.S.es in ships prior to Lord Nelson class is illustrated in Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914.[3]

Rangefinders

Evershed Bearing Indicators

It is unlikely that this equipment was ever provided.[Inference]

Directors

These ships never received directors for main or secondary batteries.[4]

Gunnery Control

Local Control in Turrets

There was no provision in these ships for local turret control wherein the receivers in the turret could be driven by transmitters in the officer's position at the back of the turret.[5]

Transmitting Stations

Dreyer Table

These ships never received Dreyer tables.[6]

Fire Control Instruments

In 1906, it was planned to equip Hood, Repulse and Ramillies with Siemens Mark II equipment throughout,[7] and the Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909 shows that all other ships in the class were given Mark I equipment (except Redoubtable, which is conspicuously omitted).[8]

The equipment listed in the 1909 handbook indicates it is for the Mark I majority, but may also described the equipment of the Mark II ships:[9]

  • Range: 4 transmitters, 21 receivers
  • Orders: 4 transmitters, 14 receivers
  • Rate: none
  • Deflection: 4 transmitters, 21 receivers

Additionally, the entire class had the following Siemens equipment:[10]

  • Group Switches: none
  • Turret fire gongs: 4 with 2 keys (Revenge only)
  • Fire Gongs: 10 with 2 keys
  • Captain's Cease Fire Bells: 14 with 1 key

Torpedo Control

See Also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1891. pp. 38-9.
  2. ↑ Torpedo Manual, Vol. III, 1909. p. 265.
  3. ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 50 & Plates 50 and 54(I).
  4. ↑ The Director Firing Handbook. pp. 142-3.
  5. ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 50.
  6. ↑ Handbook of Captain F. C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables, 1918. p. 3.
  7. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1906. p. 82.
  8. ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. p. 56.
  9. ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. p. 59.
  10. ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. p. 59.

Bibliography

  • Parkes, O.B.E., Ass.I.N.A., Dr. Oscar (1990). British Battleships 1860–1950. London: Pen & Sword Ltd. ISBN 0850526043. (on Bookfinder.com).
  • Admiralty, Gunnery Branch (1910). Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. Copy No. 173 is Ja 345a at Admiralty Library, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
  • Admiralty, Gunnery Branch (1914). Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. G. 01627/14. C.B. 1030. Copy 1235 at The National Archives. ADM 186/191.
  • H.M.S. Vernon. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1906, with Appendix (Wireless Telegraphy). Copy 46 at The National Archives. ADM 189/26.
  • R A Burt. The Magnificent 7: The Royal Sovereign Class of 1889, a two-part article in Warship, Issues 14-15.


Royal Sovereign Class Pre-dreadnought
  Empress of India Hood Ramillies Repulse  
  Resolution Royal Oak Royal Sovereign Revenge  
<– Trafalgar Class Battleships (UK) Centurion Class –>



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