H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth (1913)
| H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth | |
| Career | Details |
|---|---|
| Pendant Number: | 00 (April, 1918)[1] |
| Ordered: | 1912-1913 Programme |
| Built By: | Portsmouth Royal Dockyard |
| Laid Down: | 21 October, 1912 |
| Launched: | 16 October, 1913 |
| Commissioned: | 22 December, 1914 |
| Sold: | 19 March, 1948 |
| Fate: | Scrapped |
Contents
Myths and Rumours
According to R. L. B. Cunliffe, on her Quarter-Deck Queen Elizabeth had a highly-polished coal shovel, beneath which was the caption: "Lest we forget."
In 1917 Queen Elizabeth carried a Sopwith 1½ Strutter aircraft, number A-6006.
Fire Control Systems
Rangefinders
Owing to her use as a flagship, by some point Queen Elizabeth had a 9-foot rangefinder for the admiral's use on the bridge. When, late in the war, it was desired to provide an effective additional 9-foot instrument for torpedo control purposes, Queen Elizabeth was to skip getting one on the assumption this instrument would be available for the task on most occasions.[2]
Directors and Gun Groups
Main Battery
Secondary Battery
Unlike her sisters which had pedestal-mounted directors for their secondaries, Queen Elizabeth's 6-in guns were supported by a pair of tripod-mounted directors[3] situated port and starboard high on her forward superstructure[4].
The broadside-mounted secondary guns were in port and starboard groups, and either were laid and fired locally or under the control of the director on their side.
Torpedo Control
Transmitting Stations
Dreyer Table
Though Queen Elizabeth eventually was listed as having a Mark IV* table like her sisters, it is possible that she was originally given a Mark IV Dreyer table which was later upgraded to the Mark IV* standard[5].
Alterations
Queen Elizabeth received a director sometime after the war started but prior to May, 1915.[6]
In March, 1915, Open Director Sights were ordered for all[Inference] her turrets. It is uncertain when they were installed, but it was likely before January, 1917.[7]
By the end of 1915, she (along with Warspite) had been equipped with a Torpedo Control Plotting Instrument Mark II in her TCT.[8]
She received a temporary director system for her secondary battery in November-December, 1916 which was replaced by a proper one in March, 1917.[9]
At some point, she and her sisters were also outfitted with Turret Control Tables, although there is no indication whether this was 1 table per ship, or 2 in the controlling turrets, or one in all four turrets.[10]
Captains
Dates of appointment are provided when known.
- Captain George P. W. Hope, 1 October, 1914.[11]
- Captain A. Ernle M. Chatfield, 15 February, 1917.[12]
- Captain Matthew Robert Best, 1919.[Citation needed]
See Also
Footnotes
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. p. 34.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, p. 177.
- ↑ The Director Firing Handbook, 1917. p. 143.
- ↑ The Director Firing Handbook, 1917. p. 91.
- ↑ Handbook of Capt. F.C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables, p. 3.
- ↑ The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships, pp. 9-10.
- ↑ The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships, p. 18.
- ↑ Handbook of Torpedo Control, 1916, p. 38.
- ↑ The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships, p. 16.
- ↑ Handbook of Capt. F.C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables. p. 3.
- ↑ Navy List (December, 1916). p. 397e.
- ↑ Chatfield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 346.
Bibliography
- Template:BibUKDirectorFiringHandbook1917
- Template:BibUKDreyerTableHandbook1918
- Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
- Template:BibUKFireControlInHMShips1919
- Template:BibParkesBritishBattleships
