Majestic Class Battleship (1894): Difference between revisions
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{| 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 9 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-Caesar}} | |||
|[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]] | |||
|25 Mar, 1895 | |||
|2 Sep, 1896 | |||
|13 Jan, 1898 | |||
|Sold 8 Nov, 1921 | |||
|- align=left | |||
| {{Template:UK-Hannibal}} | |||
|[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]] | |||
|1 May, 1894 | |||
|28 Apr, 1896 | |||
|10 May, 1898 | |||
|Sold 28 Jan, 1920 | |||
|- align=left | |||
| {{Template:UK-Illustrious}} | |||
|[[Chatham Royal Dockyard]] | |||
|11 Mar, 1895 | |||
|17 Sep, 1896 | |||
|10 May, 1898 | |||
|Sold 18 Jun, 1920 | |||
|- align=left | |||
| {{Template:UK-Jupiter}} | |||
|[[J. & G. Thomson]] | |||
|26 Apr, 1894 | |||
|18 Nov, 1895 | |||
|8 Jun, 1897 | |||
|Sold 15 Jan, 1920 | |||
|- align=left | |||
| {{Template:UK-Magnificent}} | |||
|[[Chatham Royal Dockyard]] | |||
|18 Dec, 1893 | |||
|19 Dec, 1894 | |||
|12 Dec, 1895 | |||
|Sold 9 May, 1921 | |||
|- align=left | |||
| {{Template:UK-Majestic}} | |||
|[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]] | |||
|5 Feb, 1894 | |||
|31 Jan, 1895 | |||
|11 Dec, 1895 | |||
|Torpedoed 27 May, 1915 | |||
|- align=left | |||
| {{Template:UK-Mars}} | |||
|[[Laird]], Birkenhead | |||
|2 Jun, 1894 | |||
|30 Mar, 1896 | |||
|8 Jun, 1897 | |||
|Sold 9 May, 1921 | |||
|- align=left | |||
| {{Template:UK-PrinceGeorge}} | |||
|[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]] | |||
|10 Sep, 1894 | |||
|22 Aug, 1895 | |||
|26 Nov, 1896 | |||
|Sold 21 Sep, 1921 | |||
|- align=left | |||
| {{Template:UK-Victorious}} | |||
|[[Chatham Royal Dockyard]] | |||
|28 May, 1894 | |||
|19 Oct, 1895 | |||
|8 Jun, 1897 | |||
|Sold 19 Dec, 1922 | |||
|} | |||
</div name=fredbot:ships> | |||
==Boats== | |||
The boats were:{{ARTS1895|p. viii}} | |||
* one 40-foot Steam Pinnace with dropping gear for 14-in torpedoes | |||
* two 56-foot Steam Pinnace with dropping gear for 14-in torpedoes | |||
The dropping gear on the 40 foot boat was 22 feet from the stem, determined as the best place by trials. | |||
==Binoculars== | |||
In September 1914, the ships were allowed four additional pairs of Pattern 343 Service Binoculars.{{AWO1914|331 of 8 Sep, 1914}} | |||
==Searchlights== | ==Searchlights== | ||
In 1907, these ships, along with battleships of the [[Canopus Class Battleship (1897)|''Canopus'']], [[London Class Battleship (1899)|''London'']], and [[Duncan Class Battleship (1901)|''Duncan'']] classes, along with armoured cruisers of the [[Powerful Class Cruiser (1895)|''Powerful'']], [[Drake Class Cruiser (1901)|''Drake'']], [[Cressy Class Cruiser (1899)|''Cressy'']], [[Monmouth Class Cruiser (1901)|''Monmouth'']] and [[Devonshire Class Cruiser (1903)|''Devonshire'']] classes were to land their searchlights from their tops and obtain two additional 24-inch models from their dockyards for placement on the shelter or boat deck. These were to be augmented by (or further upgraded to?) a pair of 36-in searchlights when they became available. | In 1907, these ships, along with battleships of the [[Canopus Class Battleship (1897)|''Canopus'']], [[London Class Battleship (1899)|''London'']], and [[Duncan Class Battleship (1901)|''Duncan'']] classes, along with armoured cruisers of the [[Powerful Class Cruiser (1895)|''Powerful'']], [[Drake Class Cruiser (1901)|''Drake'']], [[Cressy Class Cruiser (1899)|''Cressy'']], [[Monmouth Class Cruiser (1901)|''Monmouth'']] and [[Devonshire Class Cruiser (1903)|''Devonshire'']] classes were to land their searchlights from their tops and obtain two additional 24-inch models from their dockyards for placement on the shelter or boat deck. These were to be augmented by (or further upgraded to?) a pair of 36-in searchlights when they became available.{{ARTS1907|p. 35. The location for each ship type was placement stipulated in C.N.2 11884/13066, 13.12.1906}} | ||
==Armament== | ==Armament== | ||
During the war, along with those of other older ships, the eight 6-inch guns casemated on the first deck proved of little use in practical sea states. It was decided, on ''Hannibal'' and ''Magnificent'' to remove the eight casemate guns, plate their ports over and move 4 of them to the upper deck. Four of the twelve 12-pdr guns were also surrendered due to this alteration. The other vessels were disarmed and their guns repurposed. | During the war, along with those of other older ships, the eight 6-inch guns casemated on the first deck proved of little use in practical sea states. It was decided, on ''Hannibal'' and ''Magnificent'' to remove the eight casemate guns, plate their ports over and move 4 of them to the upper deck. Four of the twelve 12-pdr guns were also surrendered due to this alteration. The other vessels were disarmed and their guns repurposed.{{UKTHVol4Part36|p. 9}} | ||
===Main Battery=== | ===Main Battery=== | ||
The 12-in guns were Mark VIII, though the turrets used differed by ship: | The 12-in guns were Mark VIII, though the turrets used differed by ship:{{TheSightM|p. 109}} | ||
{|border=1 | {|border=1 | ||
|'''Mounting'''||'''Ships''' | |'''Mounting'''||'''Ships''' | ||
Line 17: | Line 104: | ||
|} | |} | ||
The ''Prince George'' only (perhaps) had 5-hp electrical motors to assist hand-training gear and smaller motors to raise pressure in an auxiliary hydraulic system for elevation and running out the guns. | The ''Prince George'' only (perhaps) had 5-hp electrical motors to assist hand-training gear and smaller motors to raise pressure in an auxiliary hydraulic system for elevation and running out the guns.{{ARTS1896|p. 58, Plate 17}} | ||
===Secondary Battery=== | ===Secondary Battery=== | ||
In early 1905, it was approved that the 6-in guns in ''Majestics'' and later battleships should have "A" class cross connected sights, with one V.P. 7 to 21 scope and one 3 power illuminated scope in a body enlarged to V.P. size (in the Q.F. guns), and a V.P.D.N. 5 to 12 scope (for the B.L. guns).{{PQDNO1905|pp. 489-91}} | |||
===Other Guns=== | ===Other Guns=== | ||
Line 25: | Line 113: | ||
===Torpedoes=== | ===Torpedoes=== | ||
The aft submerged torpedo tubes were angled 20 degrees abaft the beam. | There were 4 submerged 18-in tubes and one above water:{{ARTS1894|pp. 72-73}}{{ARTS1895|p. viii}}{{UKTorpM1909III|p. 265}} | ||
* two submerged tubes forward, with three torpedoes each and one (shared between them) for exercise, depressed 1 degree and angled directly abeam, axis of tube 11 foot 5 inches below load water line and 2 foot 3 inches above the deck. | |||
* two submerged tubes aft, with three torpedoes each and one (shared between them) for exercise, depressed 1 degree and angled at 20 degrees abaft the beam; axis of tube 11 foot 8 inches below load water line and 2 foot 4 inches above the deck. | |||
* one above water stern tube with two torpedoes and one for exercise | |||
Additionally, five 14-in torpedoes were carried for use by the ships' boats. | |||
The stern tube would have only one torpedo stored near it; its other two would be stored in the aft submerged torpedo room. | |||
The aft submerged tubes were found to deflect their torpedoes just 3 degrees. | |||
The aft submerged torpedo tubes were angled 20 degrees abaft the beam.{{ARTS1896|p. 40}} | |||
In 1895, the torpedo models in use were the {{Torp|18-in Mark IV|UK}} and the {{Torp|14-in Mark IX|UK}}.{{ARTS1895|p. 27}} | |||
==Fire Control== | ==Fire Control== | ||
Though it may have little relevance given the age difference, the general system of wiring between the TSs in ships prior to [[Lord Nelson Class Battleship (1906)|''Lord Nelson'' class]] is illustrated in ''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914''. | Though it may have little relevance given the age difference, the general system of wiring between the TSs 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 39: | Line 138: | ||
===Gunnery Control=== | ===Gunnery Control=== | ||
The ship's guns were organized in 3 groups: | The ship's guns were organized in 3 groups:{{HFCI1914|p. 8}} | ||
# Two 12-in turrets | # Two 12-in turrets | ||
# Starboard 6-in guns ( | # Starboard 6-in guns ("A" & "X") | ||
# Port 6-in guns ( | # Port 6-in guns ("B" & "Y") | ||
===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. | 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=== | ||
These ships likely had fore and aft [[TS]]es. | These ships likely had fore and aft [[TS]]es.{{HFCI1914|p. 50 & Plates 50 and 54(I)}}{{INF}} | ||
A [[C.O.S.]] allowed{{INF}} control options of | A [[C.O.S.]] allowed{{INF}} control options of | ||
Line 55: | Line 154: | ||
# Separate | # Separate | ||
Each control group had range, order and deflection transmitters with a pair of receivers, one wired directly to the transmitter as a ''tell-tale'', and the other fed off the wires going to the distant guns (i.e., the aft guns for the fore TS and vice-versa) as a ''repeat''. "These repeat receivers are necessary to keep the idle transmitters in step; when changing back from separate control they are required to enable both halves of the group to be set alike before being paralleled on to one transmitter." | Each control group had range, order and deflection transmitters with a pair of receivers, one wired directly to the transmitter as a ''tell-tale'', and the other fed off the wires going to the distant guns (i.e., the aft guns for the fore TS and vice-versa) as a ''repeat''. "These repeat receivers are necessary to keep the idle transmitters in step; when changing back from separate control they are required to enable both halves of the group to be set alike before being paralleled on to one transmitter."{{HFCI1914|pp. 50-1}} | ||
===Dreyer Table=== | ===Dreyer Table=== | ||
These ships never received Dreyer tables. | These ships never received Dreyer tables.{{DreyerH|p. 3}} | ||
===Fire Control Instruments=== | ===Fire Control Instruments=== | ||
By 1909, the ships were equipped with [[Barr and Stroud]] Mark II instruments for range and rate, Barr and Stroud Mark I for orders, and [[Vickers]] deflection instruments, except ''Illustrious'' and ''Victorious''. | By 1909, the ships were equipped with [[Barr and Stroud]] Mark II instruments for range and rate, Barr and Stroud Mark I for orders, and [[Vickers]] deflection instruments, except ''Illustrious'' and ''Victorious''.{{HFCI1909|pp. 56-7, 59}} | ||
For the majority of the ships (probably excluding ''Illustrious'' and ''Victorious'' with their dissimilar equipment), the ''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909'' lists the equipment on this class as: | For the majority of the ships (probably excluding ''Illustrious'' and ''Victorious'' with their dissimilar equipment), the ''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909'' lists the equipment on this class as:{{HFCI1909|p. 59}} | ||
* Range (B. & S. Mark II): 6 transmitters, 30 receivers | * Range (B. & S. Mark II): 6 transmitters, 30 receivers | ||
* Orders (B. & S. Mark I): 6 transmitters, 20 receivers | * Orders (B. & S. Mark I): 6 transmitters, 20 receivers | ||
* Rate (B. & S. Mark II): 4 transmitters, 8 receivers | * Rate (B. & S. Mark II): 4 transmitters, 8 receivers | ||
* Deflection (Vickers): 6 transmitters, 26 receivers | * Deflection (Vickers): 6 transmitters, 26 receivers | ||
Additionally, this class had the following Siemens fire control equipment: | Additionally, this class had the following Siemens fire control equipment:{{HFCI1909|p. 59}} | ||
* Group Switches: 3 (converted by Chatham) | * Group Switches: 3 (converted by Chatham) | ||
* Turret fire gongs: 8 with 2 keys | * Turret fire gongs: 8 with 2 keys | ||
Line 74: | Line 173: | ||
* Captain's Cease Fire Bells: 18 with 1 key | * Captain's Cease Fire Bells: 18 with 1 key | ||
{{UK-Illustrious}} and {{UK-Victorious}} had [[Vickers Dial Fire Control Instruments|Vickers, Son and Maxim]] equipment as well as Barr and Stroud [[Range Rate|rate]] instruments{{HFCI1909|pp. 56-7, 59}} as follows:{{HFCI1909|p. 60}} | |||
* Vickers range transmitters: 6 | * Vickers range transmitters: 6 | ||
Line 87: | Line 186: | ||
* Captain's Cease Fire Bells: 18 with 1 key (supplier not stated) | * Captain's Cease Fire Bells: 18 with 1 key (supplier not stated) | ||
These ships lacked ''Target Visible'' and ''Gun Ready'' signals. | These ships lacked ''Target Visible'' and ''Gun Ready'' signals.{{HFCI1914|p. 11}} | ||
===Torpedo Control=== | ===Torpedo Control=== | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
{{refbegin}} | |||
{{WP|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majestic_class_battleship}} | {{WP|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majestic_class_battleship}} | ||
{{refend}} | |||
==Footnotes== | ==Footnotes== | ||
Line 102: | Line 203: | ||
*{{HFCI1909}} | *{{HFCI1909}} | ||
*{{HFCI1914}} | *{{HFCI1914}} | ||
*{{ | *{{DirectorH}} | ||
*{{DreyerH}} | *{{DreyerH}} | ||
*{{ParkesBritishBattleships}} | *{{ParkesBritishBattleships}} | ||
Line 108: | Line 209: | ||
* R A Burt. ''The Majestic Pre-Dreadnought'' in [[Warship (Journal)|Warship]], Volume VII, Issues 27-8. | * R A Burt. ''The Majestic Pre-Dreadnought'' in [[Warship (Journal)|Warship]], Volume VII, Issues 27-8. | ||
{{refend}} | {{refend}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Majestic}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Majestic}} | ||
Line 127: | Line 227: | ||
{ship | {ship | ||
name=Cæsar | name=Cæsar | ||
pend= | pend=D.27 (1914)<br>P.02 (Sep 1915)<br>P.10 (1918){{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
builder=[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]] | builder=[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]]{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
order=1893 | order=1893{{Conways1860|p. 34}} | ||
laid=25 Mar, 1895 | laid=25 Mar, 1895{{Conways1860|p. 34}} | ||
launch=2 Sep, 1896 | launch=2 Sep, 1896{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
comm=13 Jan, 1898 | comm=13 Jan, 1898 | ||
fate=Sold | fate=Sold | ||
fate2=Scrapped in Germany | fate2=Scrapped in Germany{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
fatedate=8 Nov, 1921 | fatedate=8 Nov, 1921{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
} | } | ||
{ship | {ship | ||
name=Hannibal | name=Hannibal | ||
pend= | pend=D.36 (1914)<br>P.45 (Sep 1915)<br>N.54 (1918){{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
builder=[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]] | builder=[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
order= | order=" | ||
laid=1 May, 1894 | laid=1 May, 1894{{Conways1860|p. 34}} | ||
launch=28 Apr, 1896 | launch=28 Apr, 1896{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
comm=10 May, 1898 | comm=10 May, 1898 | ||
fate=Sold | fate=Sold | ||
fate2=Scrapped in Italy | fate2=Scrapped in Italy{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
fatedate=28 Jan, 1920 | fatedate=28 Jan, 1920{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
} | } | ||
{ship | {ship | ||
name=Illustrious | name=Illustrious | ||
pend= | pend=D.40 (1914)<br>P.40 (Sep 1915)<br>P.97 (1918){{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
builder=[[Chatham Royal Dockyard]] | builder=[[Chatham Royal Dockyard]]{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
order= | order=" | ||
laid=11 Mar, 1895 | laid=11 Mar, 1895{{Conways1860|p. 34}} | ||
launch=17 Sep, 1896 | launch=17 Sep, 1896{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
comm=10 May, 1898 | comm=10 May, 1898 | ||
fate=Sold | fate=Sold | ||
fate2=Scrapped in 1922 | fate2=Scrapped in 1922 | ||
fatedate=18 Jun, 1920 | fatedate=18 Jun, 1920{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
} | } | ||
{ship | {ship | ||
name=Jupiter | name=Jupiter | ||
pend= | pend=D.50 (1914)<br>P.50 (Sep 1915)<br>N.64 (1918){{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
builder=[[ | builder=[[J. & G. Thomson]]{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
order= | order=" | ||
laid=26 Apr, 1894 | laid=26 Apr, 1894{{Conways1860|p. 34}} | ||
launch=18 Nov, 1895 | launch=18 Nov, 1895{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
comm=8 Jun, 1897 | comm=8 Jun, 1897 | ||
fate=Sold | fate=Sold | ||
fate2=Scrapped | fate2=Scrapped | ||
fatedate=15 Jan, 1920 | fatedate=15 Jan, 1920{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
} | } | ||
{ship | {ship | ||
name=Magnificent | name=Magnificent | ||
pend= | pend=D.13 (1914)<br>P.83 (Sep 1915)<br>P.3A (1918){{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
builder=[[Chatham Royal Dockyard]] | builder=[[Chatham Royal Dockyard]]{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
order= | order=" | ||
laid=18 Dec, 1893 | laid=18 Dec, 1893{{Conways1860|p. 34}} | ||
launch=19 Dec, 1894 | launch=19 Dec, 1894{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
comm=12 Dec, 1895 | comm=12 Dec, 1895 | ||
fate=Sold | fate=Sold | ||
fate2=Scrapped | fate2=Scrapped | ||
fatedate=9 May, 1921 | fatedate=9 May, 1921{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
} | } | ||
{ship | {ship | ||
name=Majestic | name=Majestic | ||
pend= | pend=D.04 (1914){{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
builder=[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]] | builder=[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]]{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
order= | order=" | ||
laid=5 Feb, 1894 | laid=5 Feb, 1894 | ||
launch=31 Jan, 1895 | launch=31 Jan, 1895{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
comm=11 Dec, 1895 | comm=11 Dec, 1895 | ||
fate= | fate=Torpedoed | ||
fate2= | fate2=by U.21 off Helles | ||
fatedate=27 May, 1915 | fatedate=27 May, 1915{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
} | } | ||
{ship | {ship | ||
name=Mars | name=Mars | ||
pend= | pend=D.42 (1914)<br>P.01 (Sep 1915)<br>P.6A (1918){{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
builder=[[Laird]] | builder=[[Laird]], Birkenhead{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
order= | order=" | ||
laid=2 Jun, 1894 | laid=2 Jun, 1894{{Conways1860|p. 34}} | ||
launch=30 Mar, 1896 | launch=30 Mar, 1896{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
comm=8 Jun, 1897 | comm=8 Jun, 1897 | ||
fate=Sold | fate=Sold | ||
fate2=Scrapped | fate2=Scrapped | ||
fatedate=9 May, 1921 | fatedate=9 May, 1921{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
} | } | ||
{ship | {ship | ||
name=Prince George | name=Prince George | ||
pend= | pend=D.46 (1914)<br>P.86 (Sep 1915)<br>P.9A (1918){{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
builder=[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]] | builder=[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]]{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
order= | order=" | ||
laid=10 Sep, 1894 | laid=10 Sep, 1894{{Conways1860|p. 34}} | ||
launch=22 Aug, 1895 | launch=22 Aug, 1895{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
comm=26 Nov, 1896 | comm=26 Nov, 1896 | ||
fate=Sold | fate=Sold | ||
fate2=Foundered | fate2=Foundered | ||
fatedate=21 Sep, 1921 | fatedate=21 Sep, 1921{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
} | } | ||
{ship | {ship | ||
name=Victorious | name=Victorious | ||
pend= | pend=D.48 (1914)<br>P.65 (Sep 1915)<br>P.3C (1918){{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
builder=[[Chatham Royal Dockyard]] | builder=[[Chatham Royal Dockyard]]{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
order= | order=" | ||
laid=28 May, 1894 | laid=28 May, 1894{{Conways1860|p. 34}} | ||
launch=19 Oct, 1895 | launch=19 Oct, 1895{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
comm=8 Jun, 1897 | comm=8 Jun, 1897 | ||
fate=Sold | fate=Sold | ||
fate2=Scrapped | fate2=Scrapped | ||
fatedate=19 Dec, 1922 | fatedate=19 Dec, 1922{{DittColl|p. 29}} | ||
} | } | ||
Line 245: | Line 345: | ||
data --> | data --> | ||
[[Category:Featured Ship Classes]] |
Latest revision as of 13:26, 4 April 2020
Overview of 9 vessels | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Citations for this data available on individual ship pages | |||||
Name | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
Cæsar | Portsmouth Royal Dockyard | 25 Mar, 1895 | 2 Sep, 1896 | 13 Jan, 1898 | Sold 8 Nov, 1921 |
Hannibal | Pembroke Royal Dockyard | 1 May, 1894 | 28 Apr, 1896 | 10 May, 1898 | Sold 28 Jan, 1920 |
Illustrious | Chatham Royal Dockyard | 11 Mar, 1895 | 17 Sep, 1896 | 10 May, 1898 | Sold 18 Jun, 1920 |
Jupiter | J. & G. Thomson | 26 Apr, 1894 | 18 Nov, 1895 | 8 Jun, 1897 | Sold 15 Jan, 1920 |
Magnificent | Chatham Royal Dockyard | 18 Dec, 1893 | 19 Dec, 1894 | 12 Dec, 1895 | Sold 9 May, 1921 |
Majestic | Portsmouth Royal Dockyard | 5 Feb, 1894 | 31 Jan, 1895 | 11 Dec, 1895 | Torpedoed 27 May, 1915 |
Mars | Laird, Birkenhead | 2 Jun, 1894 | 30 Mar, 1896 | 8 Jun, 1897 | Sold 9 May, 1921 |
Prince George | Portsmouth Royal Dockyard | 10 Sep, 1894 | 22 Aug, 1895 | 26 Nov, 1896 | Sold 21 Sep, 1921 |
Victorious | Chatham Royal Dockyard | 28 May, 1894 | 19 Oct, 1895 | 8 Jun, 1897 | Sold 19 Dec, 1922 |
Boats
The boats were:[1]
- one 40-foot Steam Pinnace with dropping gear for 14-in torpedoes
- two 56-foot Steam Pinnace with dropping gear for 14-in torpedoes
The dropping gear on the 40 foot boat was 22 feet from the stem, determined as the best place by trials.
Binoculars
In September 1914, the ships were allowed four additional pairs of Pattern 343 Service Binoculars.[2]
Searchlights
In 1907, these ships, along with battleships of the Canopus, London, and Duncan classes, along with armoured cruisers of the Powerful, Drake, Cressy, Monmouth and Devonshire classes were to land their searchlights from their tops and obtain two additional 24-inch models from their dockyards for placement on the shelter or boat deck. These were to be augmented by (or further upgraded to?) a pair of 36-in searchlights when they became available.[3]
Armament
During the war, along with those of other older ships, the eight 6-inch guns casemated on the first deck proved of little use in practical sea states. It was decided, on Hannibal and Magnificent to remove the eight casemate guns, plate their ports over and move 4 of them to the upper deck. Four of the twelve 12-pdr guns were also surrendered due to this alteration. The other vessels were disarmed and their guns repurposed.[4]
Main Battery
The 12-in guns were Mark VIII, though the turrets used differed by ship:[5]
Mounting | Ships |
B III | Caesar, Illustrious |
B II | Jupiter, Prince George |
B ??? | Others |
The Prince George only (perhaps) had 5-hp electrical motors to assist hand-training gear and smaller motors to raise pressure in an auxiliary hydraulic system for elevation and running out the guns.[6]
Secondary Battery
In early 1905, it was approved that the 6-in guns in Majestics and later battleships should have "A" class cross connected sights, with one V.P. 7 to 21 scope and one 3 power illuminated scope in a body enlarged to V.P. size (in the Q.F. guns), and a V.P.D.N. 5 to 12 scope (for the B.L. guns).[7]
Other Guns
Twelve 12-pdr guns, later reduced to eight in Hannibal and Magnificent when their 6-in casemate guns were relocated.
Torpedoes
There were 4 submerged 18-in tubes and one above water:[8][9][10]
- two submerged tubes forward, with three torpedoes each and one (shared between them) for exercise, depressed 1 degree and angled directly abeam, axis of tube 11 foot 5 inches below load water line and 2 foot 3 inches above the deck.
- two submerged tubes aft, with three torpedoes each and one (shared between them) for exercise, depressed 1 degree and angled at 20 degrees abaft the beam; axis of tube 11 foot 8 inches below load water line and 2 foot 4 inches above the deck.
- one above water stern tube with two torpedoes and one for exercise
Additionally, five 14-in torpedoes were carried for use by the ships' boats. The stern tube would have only one torpedo stored near it; its other two would be stored in the aft submerged torpedo room. The aft submerged tubes were found to deflect their torpedoes just 3 degrees.
The aft submerged torpedo tubes were angled 20 degrees abaft the beam.[11]
In 1895, the torpedo models in use were the 18-in Mark IV torpedo and the 14-in Mark IX torpedo.[12]
Fire Control
Though it may have little relevance given the age difference, the general system of wiring between the TSs in ships prior to Lord Nelson class is illustrated in Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914.[13]
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.[14]
Gunnery Control
The ship's guns were organized in 3 groups:[15]
- Two 12-in turrets
- Starboard 6-in guns ("A" & "X")
- Port 6-in guns ("B" & "Y")
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.[16]
Transmitting Stations
These ships likely had fore and aft TSes.[17][Inference]
A C.O.S. allowed[Inference] control options of
- Fore
- After
- Separate
Each control group had range, order and deflection transmitters with a pair of receivers, one wired directly to the transmitter as a tell-tale, and the other fed off the wires going to the distant guns (i.e., the aft guns for the fore TS and vice-versa) as a repeat. "These repeat receivers are necessary to keep the idle transmitters in step; when changing back from separate control they are required to enable both halves of the group to be set alike before being paralleled on to one transmitter."[18]
Dreyer Table
These ships never received Dreyer tables.[19]
Fire Control Instruments
By 1909, the ships were equipped with Barr and Stroud Mark II instruments for range and rate, Barr and Stroud Mark I for orders, and Vickers deflection instruments, except Illustrious and Victorious.[20]
For the majority of the ships (probably excluding Illustrious and Victorious with their dissimilar equipment), the Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909 lists the equipment on this class as:[21]
- Range (B. & S. Mark II): 6 transmitters, 30 receivers
- Orders (B. & S. Mark I): 6 transmitters, 20 receivers
- Rate (B. & S. Mark II): 4 transmitters, 8 receivers
- Deflection (Vickers): 6 transmitters, 26 receivers
Additionally, this class had the following Siemens fire control equipment:[22]
- Group Switches: 3 (converted by Chatham)
- Turret fire gongs: 8 with 2 keys
- Fire Gongs: 12 with 4 keys
- Captain's Cease Fire Bells: 18 with 1 key
Illustrious and Victorious had Vickers, Son and Maxim equipment as well as Barr and Stroud rate instruments[23] as follows:[24]
- Vickers range transmitters: 6
- Vickers deflection transmitters: 6
- Vickers combined range and deflection receivers: 6
- Vickers C.O.S.: 3
- Vickers Check fire switches: 6
- Barr and Stroud rate transmitters: 4
- Barr and Stroud rate receivers: 8
- Siemens turret fire gongs: 8 with 2 keys
- Vickers fire gongs: 12 with 4 keys
- Captain's Cease Fire Bells: 18 with 1 key (supplier not stated)
These ships lacked Target Visible and Gun Ready signals.[25]
Torpedo Control
See Also
Footnotes
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1895. p. viii.
- ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 331 of 8 Sep, 1914.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1907. p. 35. The location for each ship type was placement stipulated in C.N.2 11884/13066, 13.12.1906.
- ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 36. p. 9.
- ↑ The Sight Manual. 1916. p. 109.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1896. p. 58, Plate 17.
- ↑ Principal Questions Dealt with by the Director of Naval Ordnance, 1905. pp. 489-91.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1894. pp. 72-73.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1895. p. viii.
- ↑ Torpedo Manual, Vol. III, 1909. p. 265.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1896. p. 40.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1895. p. 27.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 50 & Plates 50 and 54(I).
- ↑ Director Firing Handbook, 1917, pp. 142-3.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 8.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 50.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 50 & Plates 50 and 54(I).
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. pp. 50-1.
- ↑ Handbook of Captain F. C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables, 1918. p. 3.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. pp. 56-7, 59.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. p. 59.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. p. 59.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. pp. 56-7, 59.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. p. 60.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 11.
Bibliography
- Admiralty, Technical History Section (1920). The Technical History and Index: Alteration in Armaments of H.M. Ships during the War. Vol. 4, Part 34. C.B. 1515 (34) now O.U. 6171/20. At The National Archives, Kew, United Kingdom.
- 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.
- Admiralty, Gunnery Branch (1917). The Director Firing Handbook. O.U. 6125 (late C.B. 1259). Copy No. 322 at The National Archives. ADM 186/227.
- Admiralty, Gunnery Branch (1918). Handbook of Captain F. C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables, 1918. C.B. 1456. Copy No. 10 at Admiralty Library, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
- Parkes, O.B.E., Ass.I.N.A., Dr. Oscar (1990). British Battleships 1860–1950. London: Pen & Sword Ltd. ISBN 0850526043. (on Bookfinder.com).
- Karl Lautenschlager. A Majestic Revolution in Warship, Volume VII, Issues 25-6.
- R A Burt. The Majestic Pre-Dreadnought in Warship, Volume VII, Issues 27-8.
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Cæsar | Hannibal | Illustrious | Jupiter | Magnificent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Majestic | Mars | Prince George | Victorious | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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