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<div name=fredbot:ships> {| class="wikitable collapsible" 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 4 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-Benbow}} |[[Beardmore]] |30 May, 1912 |12 Nov, 1913 |7 Oct, 1914 |Sold Mar, 1931 |- align=left | {{Template:UK-EmperorOfIndia}} |[[Vickers]] |31 May, 1912 |27 Nov, 1913 |10 Nov, 1914 |Sunk 1931 |- align=left | {{Template:UK-IronDuke}} |[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]] |12 Jan, 1912 |12 Oct, 1912 |10 Mar, 1914 |Sold 2 Mar, 1946 |- align=left | {{Template:UK-Marlborough}} |[[Devonport Royal Dockyard]] |25 Jan, 1912 |24 Oct, 1912 |2 Jun, 1914 |Sold 27 Jun, 1932 |} </div name=fredbot:ships> ==Radio== According to the ambitions of 1909, these ships had [[Service Gear Mark II]] wireless upon completion.{{ARTS1908|Wireless Appendix, p. 13}} ==Searchlights== The ships were fitted with Crompton's 24-in twin projectors. In 1914, some or all of these were to be modified to permit 90 degree elevation for use in anti-aircraft work.{{ARTS1914|p. 52}} ==Armament== ===Main Battery=== This section is sourced from ''The Sight Manual, 1916'' except as otherwise noted.{{TheSightM|pp. 4, 23-26, 106, 108-109}} In April 1915, the 13.5-in Mark V(H) guns were in Mark II* mountings except in {{UK-Benbow}}, which had Mark III* mountings (though it is possible that later these were updated and all mountings acquired a second star). The mounts were able to elevate 20 degrees and depress 5 degrees. {{UK-Benbow}} and {{UK-EmpressOfIndia}} had 100 rounds per gun and {{UK-IronDuke}} and {{UK-Marlborough}} 80 rounds plus 6 shrapnel. Each gun had a 6-pdr sub-calibre gun for practice.<ref>All mount designations, ammunition allotments and sub-calibre gun data taken from ''List of H.M. Ships Showing Their Armaments, April 1915'' (ADM 186/164), pp. 2, 3. [http://navweaps.com/Weapons/WNBR_135-45_mk5.htm Navweaps.com] differs on number of stars.</ref> The sighting arrangements were similar to those in {{UK-Tiger}} and the ''King George V'' class. The sights were cam-worked and limited to 15 degrees elevation, but the central sights had "20 degree super-elevation strips". Additionally, 6 degree super-elevation prisms would have been provided by 1916. The deflection gearing constant was 61.3, with 1 knot equalling 2.51 arc minutes, calculated as 2500 fps at 5000 yards. Range drums were provided for full charge at 2450 fps, three-quarter charge at 2000 fps, as well as 6-pdr sub-calibre gun and .303-in aiming rifle. Muzzle velocity was corrected by adjustable scale plate between 2560 and 2260 fps. The adjustable temperature scale plate could vary between 40 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and a "C" corrector could alter the ballistic coefficient by +/- 20%. The periscope holder was inclined 1 degree 37 minutes (which may have effectively been 2.5 degrees for mechanical reasons; it equalled .195 degrees correction at 10,000 yards). The side sighting scopes were 43.25 inches above and 39 inches abreast the bore. The central scopes were offset 56.25 inches above and 42 inches abreast. OOQ open director sights capable of 20 degrees elevation were to be fitted sometime following 1916. The guns were capable of continual aim in all but heavy weather. Gunlayer and turret trainer each used a single hand wheel. Elevation was at 5 degrees per second was achieved by just a single revolution of the hand wheel &mdash; a final increase in sprightliness over ''King George V'' and ''Lion'' classes.{{BrooksDGBJ|pp. 45-46}} ===6-in Battery=== The ships mounted twelve 6-in Mark VII guns in P. VIII mountings, two on the main deck and ten on the upper deck.<ref>''List of H.M. Ships Showing Their Armaments, April 1915'' ({{TNA|ADM 186/164}}), p. 2.</ref> After the [[Battle of Jutland]], when alterations to increase protection forced weight-savings to compensate, the ammunition allotment for these guns was to be reduced to 140 rounds per gun and 6 shrapnel rounds.{{GFGTO|No. 167, part 5}} ===Other Guns=== * Four 3-pdr Hotchkiss guns on Mark I* mountings on the flying deck.<ref>''List of H.M. Ships Showing Their Armaments, April 1915'' ({{TNA|ADM 186/164}}), p. 2.</ref> * One 3-in Mark I gun on a Mark II H.A. mounting on the shelter deck.<ref>''List of H.M. Ships Showing Their Armaments, April 1915'' ({{TNA|ADM 186/164}}), p. 2.</ref> Immediately before the start of war, the 3-pdr Mark I* mountings on {{UK-IronDuke}} and {{UK-Marlborough}} (at least) were be given spring eyepieces.{{AWO1914|179 of 24 July, 1914}} ===Torpedoes=== Four 21-in broadside tubes, the forward ones bearing 80 degrees and the aft tubes bearing 100 degrees.{{ARTS1918|p. 51}} ==Fire Control== ===Range Dials=== As of 1920, all four ships were equipped with a [[Range Dial Type B]] and a [[Range Dial Type C|Type C]].{{UKManGun1920III|p. 44}} ===Phones and Voicepipes=== In early 1914, the {{UK-IronDuke}} (at least) had a voicepipe between {{TS}} and {{GCT}}.{{AWO1914|1012 of 9 Apr, 1914}} ====Main Battery==== ====Secondary Battery==== [[File:ARTS1913Plate55.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Navyphones for 6-in Fire Control'''{{ARTS1913|Plate 55}}]] Each of the six 2-gun groups was on its own navyphone circuit, feeding a [[Pattern 2464 Navyphone]] for the group officer as well as a pair of [[Telaupad]]s for each gun. These led to six 2-way C.O.S.es in the 6-in TS which would dictate whether the given 6-in group's phones were tied to either # the [[Pattern 2463 Navyphone]] and its associated [[Pattern 2465 Navyphone|Pattern 2465 transmitter]] # the single 2464 in the G.C.T. for its broadside. Additionally, when the {{COS}} was in position one, each group's panel in the {{TS}} had a grouping switch so that any transmitter could address either or both of the other groups on its broadside. See the notes on the gunnery groups to see how this loosely mimics the fire control instruments.{{ARTS1913|p. 103 & Plate 55}} ===Rangefinders=== A drawing of the ship in Burt's ''British Battleships'' seems to imply that initially, each turret carried a 9-ft rangefinder in its roof.{{Burt1986|pp. 194-195}} The {{TCT}} rangefinder, initially a 9-foot instrument of unknown model, sat on an [[M.Q. 8]] mounting.{{ARTS1918|p. 175}} In 1916-1917, a "medium-base" length rangefinder was added over the conning tower.{{Burt1986|p. 197}} Sometime, likely not before 1918, these were to be upgraded to 15-foot instruments, with new armoured hoods and racers and training driving the hood directly rather than through the rangefinder mounting. These rangefinders lacked hand-following gear to facilitate in transmission of range cuts, and when it was considered as an addition around 1917, space concerns were causing issues.{{ARTS1917|p. 198. (C.I.O. 481/17)}} By 1918, two additional 9-foot instruments were also to be provided for torpedo control, abreast the captain's sea cabin, except on {{UK-IronDuke}}, where they were placed on either side of the lower chart house platform, displacing a pair of 23-in signalling searchlights to the compass platform.{{ARTS1918|p. 177}} By 1918, the ships had:{{Burt1986|p. 193}} * two 25-ft in turrets (presumably in "B" and "X") * one 18-ft in a turret (presumably in "A" or "Y") * one 15-ft in a turret (ditto) * one 9-ft in a turret (presumably in "Q") * one 9-ft (in forward superstructure, likely the one adding 1916-1917) * one 15-ft in {{TCT}} * two 9-ft in fore bridge (likely the torpedo control ones alluded to above) * two 2m [[F.T. 29]]<ref>length and type inferred from reported 6-ft 6-in base length and knowledge of B&S R.F.s.</ref> high-angle RFs In 1920-1, a 12-ft rangefinder was added over the {{TCT}} in the aft superstructure, and a "long-base" rangefinder added to the rear of "X" turret. Between May 1928 and May 1929, {{UK-IronDuke}} had a "small" rangefinder added on a high platform on aft superstructure, possibly to make up for the wholesale removal of the T.C.T. from her and {{UK-Marlborough}} in 1927.{{Burt1986|p. 198}} ===Evershed Bearing Indicators=== All four units were likely fitted with this equipment before late 1914.{{INF}}<ref>They are not mentioned in the pertinent section of ''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914''</ref> However, it is clear that all 6-in guns had a bearing indicator fitted.{{ARTS1913|p. 102}} This strongly implies that a rich installation supported the main battery at least. Otherwise, one might reasonably assume the particulars resembled those of the [[King George V Class Battleship (1911)|''King George V'' class]].{{INF}} ===Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter=== At some point, all ships in this class were equipped with four [[Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter Mark II]]s: * one on each side of the foretop, driven by flexible shafting from the Evershed rack on the director * one on each side of the [[Gun Control Tower]] employing an electrical [[F.T.P.]] system. As the need for such gear was apparently first identified in early 1916, it seems likely that these installations were effected well after Jutland.{{FCHMShips|pp. 25-6}} ===Gunnery Control=== The control arrangements were as follows.{{HFCI1914|p. 7}} ====Control Positions==== Main battery: * Gun control tower * "B" turret * "X" turret Each 6-in broadside:{{ARTS1913|Plate 54}} * G.C.T. (abreast conning tower) * Alternative positions aft (Groups 1 & 2 from one, group 3 from a second one) Some ships had {{COS}}es within the control positions so they could be connected to either {{TS}}.{{HFCI1914|p. 7}} ====Control Groups==== The five 13.5-in turrets were each a separate group with a local [[C.O.S.]] so that it could be connected to * Transmitting Station * Local control from officer's position within turret The 6-in guns were formed into three 2 gun groups on each side{{ARTS1913|Plate 54}}, and the circuits for each side are led through one of two 3-way {{COS}}.es offering the following modes:{{ARTS1913|p. 102}} # each group on that broadside worked by its own transmitters in the TS # the broadside as a whole is connected to the adapted Vickers range clock situated in its 6-in GCT # each group on that broadside is connected to the alternative control position, where (1? 3?) portable range-and-deflection transmitters with tell-tales are used. See the section below for a diagram. ===Directors=== ====Main Battery==== [[File:ARTS1913Plate56.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Training and Elevation Circuits'''{{ARTS1913|Plate 56}} ]] [[File:HandbookFCInstruments1914Plate96.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Training and Elevation Circuits'''<ref>As shown in ''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914'', Plate 96. </ref>]] [[File:HandbookFCInstruments1914Plate97.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Firing Circuits'''<ref>As shown in ''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914'', Plate 97. </ref>]] The ships were fitted with a cam-type tripod-type director in a light aloft tower on the foremast along with a directing gun in 'X' turret.{{DirectorH|pp. 88, 142}}{{ARTS1913|Plate 56}} The main battery could be divided into forward ("A", "B" and "Q") and aft ("X" and "Y") groups for split director control.{{DirectorH|p. 88}} A {{COS}} in the {{TS}} afforded these options:{{DirectorH|p. 88}} # All turrets on aloft tower # All turrets on directing gun # Forward group on aloft tower, aft group on directing gun ====Secondary Battery==== The ships had a pair of directors fitted to port and starboard on the forward superstructure to direct the 6-in broadside guns. [[H.M.S. Marlborough (1912)|''Marlborough'']]'s were pedestal-mounted, and the others tripod-mounted.{{DirectorH|pp. 143}} ===Transmitting Stations=== Like {{UK-Tiger}} and ''possibly'' later ships,{{INF}} these had a {{TS}} for the main battery and another for the 6-in secondary battery.{{HFCI1914|pp. 6-7}} It is not clear to me whether the secondary battery's TS had a Dreyer table. ===Dreyer Table=== In June 1918, ''Marlborough'' had a [[Mark I Dreyer Table]] while the other three units had [[Mark IV Dreyer Table]]s{{DreyerH|p. 3}} and all had been provided [[Dreyer Turret Control Table]]s.<ref>absent from list in ''Handbook of Capt. F.C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables'', p. 3.</ref> The disparity in Dreyer Marks creates a loose impression that all ships were initially given Mark I tables and for some reason ''Marlborough'' missed her chance for an upgrade, perhaps due to her damage at the [[Battle of Jutland]]. At some point, the ships each received [[Dreyer Turret Control Table]]s, but it is unclear when and whether each turret received one or simply the two control position turrets.{{DreyerH|p. 3}} ===Fire Control Instruments=== [[File:HFCI1914Plate64.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Indicator Lamp and Gong Circuits'''{{HFCI1914|Plate 64}} ]] Continuing the pattern established in the [[Colossus Class Battleship (1910)|''Colossus'' class]], all 4 units used [[Vickers F.T.P. Fire Control Instruments Mark III|Vickers F.T.P. Mark III]] range and deflection instruments to the gun sights (except Mark III* in the 6-in {{TS}} panels) and [[Barr and Stroud]] (probably Mark II* or later{{INF}}) instruments for other purposes.{{HFCI1914|pp. 72}} The Mark III F.T.P. range receivers on the 6-in guns were fitted with [[Usborne Accelerating Gear]]. An adapted [[Vickers Range Clock]] similar to that used in the [[Mark I Dreyer Table]] could be employed to relay ranges to the 6-in guns. An operator on the clock would have to follow-the-pointer to transmit the ranges. Each 6-in broadside had its own independent Captain's cease fire gong circuit. Firing keys were Pattern 872, and each gun had a fire gong.{{ARTS1913|p. 102 & Plate 54}} The ships also had ''Gun Ready'' signals in the {{TS}} and control positions, but had no ''Target Visible'' signals.{{HFCI1914|p. 11}} In 1916, it was approved that the ships should have a range rate transmitter/receiver pair between TS and spotting top for the main armament. Additionally, it was ordered that ''Lion'' and ''King George V'' classes and later should receive instruments such that the fore top could be interchangeable as a gun control position with the GCT.{{HFCI1914|p. 145}} The ships were perhaps the first to be provided [[Kilroy Turret Training Indicator]]s.{{HFCI1914|Plate 87}}{{INF}} ====Secondary Battery==== [[File:ARTS1913Plate54.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Diagram of 6-in Fire Control'''{{ARTS1913|Plate 54. Pardon the blurry photo}} ]] A description of the fire control system for the 6-in guns is found in the ''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1913''. ==Torpedo Control== By the end of 1915, all four ships had been equipped with a [[Torpedo Control Plotting Instrument Mark II]] in their {{TCT}}.{{ARTS1915|p. 60}} In 1916, a number of further changes were decided upon:{{ARTS1916|p. 145}} * Navyphone communication between {{CT}} and aft torpedo flat and {{TCT}} and fore torpedo flat * removal of secondary director hoods * "transfer of instruments in the secondary positions" to the {{CT}} and {{TCT}}. I presume that "secondary positions" means the secondary director hoods. * it was approved that the ships should have a transmitters in the {{TS}} and receivers in {{TCT}} and {{CT}} so that gunnery data for range, course and speed could be shared with the torpedo control group. * arrangements were to be made that all capital ships with 21-in torpedoes to receive transmitters and receivers so that the T.C.T. could pass the plotted torpedo deflection to the C.T., which could then use a reciprocal set of equipment to send the T.C.T. a deflection to be placed on the sight and range to open fire. ==See Also== {{WP|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Duke_class_battleship}} *[http://dreadnoughtproject.org/models/ships/HMS_Iron_Duke/ 3D Model] available for licensing ==Footnotes== {{reflist}} ==Bibliography== {{refbegin}} *{{ARTS1913}} *{{FCHMShips}} *{{HFCI1914}} *{{BrooksDGBJ}} *{{DirectorH}} *{{DreyerH}} {{refend}} {{Footer Iron Duke Class Battleship (1912)}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Iron Duke}} {{CatClassDreadnought|UK}} <!-- data nat=UK cat=Dreadnought type=dreadnought chain=Battleships {ship name=Benbow pend=75 (Aug 1914)<br>14 (Jan 1918)<br>51 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 33}} builder=[[Beardmore]]{{Conways1906|p. 31}} order=1911 Programme{{Conways1906|p. 31}} laid=30 May, 1912 launch=12 Nov, 1913{{DittColl|p. 33}} comm=7 Oct, 1914 fate=Sold fate2=Scrapped fatedate=Mar, 1931{{DittColl|p. 33}} } {ship name=Emperor of India pend=11 (Aug 1914)<br>60 (Jan 1918)<br>16 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 33}} builder=[[Vickers]]{{Conways1906|p. 31}} order=" laid=31 May, 1912{{Conways1906|p. 31}} launch=27 Nov, 1913{{DittColl|p. 33}} comm=10 Nov, 1914 fate=Sunk fate2=as target, raised, scrapped{{DittColl|p. 33}} fatedate=1 7 , 1931{{DittColl|p. 33}} } {ship name=Iron Duke pend=94 (Aug 1914)<br>76 (Jan 1918)<br>14 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 33}} builder=[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]]{{DittColl|p. 33}} order=" laid=12 Jan, 1912{{Conways1906|p. 31}} launch=12 Oct, 1912{{DittColl|p. 33}} comm=10 Mar, 1914 fate=Sold fate2=Scrapped fatedate=2 Mar, 1946{{DittColl|p. 33}} } {ship name=Marlborough pend=79 (Aug 1914)<br>85 (Jan 1918)<br>66 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 33}} builder=[[Devonport Royal Dockyard]]{{DittColl|p. 33}} order=" laid=25 Jan, 1912{{Conways1906|p. 31}} launch=24 Oct, 1912{{DittColl|p. 33}} comm=2 Jun, 1914 fate=Sold fate2=Scrapped fatedate=27 Jun, 1932{{DittColl|p. 33}} } data --> [[Category:Featured Ship Classes]]

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