H.M.S. Vanguard
23
1954
(Albatros ALK-300)
- Class: Vanguard - 1 Battleship of 1939
- Displacement: 44,500 tons
- Dimensions: 760 (pp) 814.25 (oa) x 108 x 30.75 ft
- Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, SHP 130,000 = 30 knots
- Armor: Main belt 13-14in, deck 5-6in, main turrets 13in, DCT 13in
- Armament: 8-15in (4x2), 16-5.25in DP (8x2), 31-40mm AA (11x2+9x1) guns
- Complement: 1,600
- Builder: John Brown (Clydebank)
- Laid Down: 2 Oct 1941
- Launched: 30 Nov 1944
- Completed: 25 Apr 1946
- Scrapped: 9 Aug 1960
- Notes: Vanguard was an emergency project to produce a major capital ship rapidly enough to serve in World War II, utilizing the four available twin-15in turrets saved from the light battlecruisers Courageous and Glorious when they were converted to aircraft carriers in the 1920s. Because the main armament is the longest lead time article in producing a battleship, this lengthened version of the King George V class stood a better chance of being completed than the 16in-gunned Lion class that was begun in late 1939 (but suspended before launching). Her marked shear forward and transom stern made her a much better sea boat than previous British battleships.
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