Difference between revisions of "Canopus Class Battleship (1897)"
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==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 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. | + | 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 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.{{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''' | ||
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==Fire Control== | ==Fire Control== | ||
| − | Though it may have little relevance given the age difference, the general system of wiring between the TSes 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 TSes 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 96: | Line 96: | ||
===Gunnery Control=== | ===Gunnery Control=== | ||
| − | The ship's guns were organized in 3 control groups: | + | The ship's guns were organized in 3 control groups:{{HFCI1914|p. 8}} |
# Two 12-in turrets | # Two 12-in turrets | ||
# Starboard 6-in guns ('A' & 'X') | # Starboard 6-in guns ('A' & 'X') | ||
| Line 102: | Line 102: | ||
===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 [[T.S.]]es. | + | These ships likely had fore and aft [[T.S.]]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 112: | Line 112: | ||
# Separate | # Separate | ||
| − | Each control group had 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 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, all were equipped with Siemens gongs and bells and [[Siemens Mark I Fire Control Instruments]] for range, orders and deflection, except ''Glory'' which had [[Siemens Mark I Fire Control Instruments|Mark II equipment]]. | + | By 1909, all were equipped with Siemens gongs and bells and [[Siemens Mark I Fire Control Instruments]] for range, orders and deflection, except ''Glory'' which had [[Siemens Mark I Fire Control Instruments|Mark II equipment]].{{HFCI1909|p. 56}}{{ARTS1906|p. 82}} |
| − | The ''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909'' lists the Mark I equipment for (Mark II in ''Glory'') as: | + | The ''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909'' lists the Mark I equipment for (Mark II in ''Glory'') as:{{HFCI1909|p. 59}} |
* Range: 6 transmitters, 32 receivers | * Range: 6 transmitters, 32 receivers | ||
* Orders: 8 transmitters, 18 receivers | * Orders: 8 transmitters, 18 receivers | ||
| Line 126: | Line 126: | ||
* Deflection: 6 transmitters, 32 receivers | * Deflection: 6 transmitters, 32 receivers | ||
| − | Additionally, the entire class had the following Siemens equipment: | + | Additionally, the entire class had the following Siemens equipment:{{HFCI1909|p. 59}} |
* Group Switches: 3 | * Group Switches: 3 | ||
* Turret fire gongs: 8 (6 in ''Vengeance'') with 2 keys | * Turret fire gongs: 8 (6 in ''Vengeance'') with 2 keys | ||
| Line 132: | Line 132: | ||
* Captain's Cease Fire Bells: 18 with 1 key | * Captain's Cease Fire Bells: 18 with 1 key | ||
| − | 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=== | ||
Revision as of 16:07, 26 September 2012
| Overview of 6 vessels | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citations for this data available on individual ship pages | |||||
| Name | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
| Albion | Thames Iron Works, Blackwall | 3 Dec, 1896 | 21 Jun, 1898 | 25 Jun, 1901 | Sold 11 Dec, 1919 |
| Canopus | Portsmouth Royal Dockyard | 4 Jan, 1897 | 13 Oct, 1897 | 5 Dec, 1899 | Sold 18 Feb, 1920 |
| Glory | Laird, Birkenhead | 1 Dec, 1896 | 11 Mar, 1899 | 1 Nov, 1900 | Sold 19 Dec, 1922 |
| Goliath | Chatham Royal Dockyard | 4 Jan, 1897 | 23 Mar, 1898 | 27 Mar, 1900 | Torpedoed 15 May, 1915 |
| Ocean | Devonport Royal Dockyard | 15 Feb, 1897 | 5 Jul, 1898 | 20 Feb, 1900 | Mined 18 Mar, 1915 |
| Vengeance | Vickers, Barrow | 23 Aug, 1898 | 25 Jul, 1899 | 8 Apr, 1902 | Sold 1 Dec, 1921 |
Searchlights
In 1907, these ships, along with battleships of the Majestic, 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.[1]
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 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.[2]
Main Battery
The 12-in guns were Mark VIII, though the turrets used differed by ship:[3]
| Mounting | Ships |
| B V | Vengeance |
| B IV | Albion, Glory |
| B III | Canopus |
| B ??? | Goliath, Ocean |
Secondary Battery
Other Guns
Twelve 12-pdr guns, later reduced to eight when the 6-in casemate guns were relocated.
Torpedoes
Two submerged tubes forward, presumably firing directly abeam, and two aft, firing at 22.5 degrees abaft the beam.[4]
Fire Control
Though it may have little relevance given the age difference, the general system of wiring between the TSes in ships prior to Lord Nelson class is illustrated in Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914.[5]
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.[6]
Gunnery Control
The ship's guns were organized in 3 control groups:[7]
- 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.[8]
Transmitting Stations
These ships likely had fore and aft T.S.es.[9][Inference]
A C.O.S. allowed[Inference] control options of
- Fore
- After
- Separate
Each control group had 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."[10]
Dreyer Table
These ships never received Dreyer tables.[11]
Fire Control Instruments
By 1909, all were equipped with Siemens gongs and bells and Siemens Mark I Fire Control Instruments for range, orders and deflection, except Glory which had Mark II equipment.[12][13]
The Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909 lists the Mark I equipment for (Mark II in Glory) as:[14]
- Range: 6 transmitters, 32 receivers
- Orders: 8 transmitters, 18 receivers
- Rate: 4 transmitters, 12 receivers
- Deflection: 6 transmitters, 32 receivers
Additionally, the entire class had the following Siemens equipment:[15]
- Group Switches: 3
- Turret fire gongs: 8 (6 in Vengeance) with 2 keys
- Fire Gongs: 12 with 4 keys
- Captain's Cease Fire Bells: 18 with 1 key
These ships lacked Target Visible and Gun Ready signals.[16]
Torpedo Control
Radio
It appears likely that the entire class was completed with or soon received a Jackson or Marconi W/T kit soon after completion, based on a 1901 push to equip older battleships.[17][Inference]
See Also
Footnotes
- ↑ 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. 40.
- ↑ 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. p. 56.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1906. p. 82.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. p. 59.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. p. 59.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 11.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1901. pp. 111-112.
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 (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.
- H.M.S. Vernon. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1902. Copy 268 at The National Archives. ADM 189/22.
| Canopus Class Pre-dreadnought | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albion | Canopus | Glory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goliath | Ocean | Vengeance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| <– | H.M.S. Renown | Battleships (UK) | Formidable Class | –> | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
