HMS King Edward VII: Difference between revisions

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|Ship ordered=1903/04 Estimates
|Ship ordered=1903/04 Estimates
|Ship builder=[[HMNB Devonport|Devonport Dockyard]]
|Ship builder=[[HMNB Devonport|Devonport Dockyard]]
|Ship laid down= 8 March 1902
|Ship laid down=8 March 1902
|Ship launched= 23 July 1903
|Ship launched=23 July 1903
|Ship acquired=
|Ship acquired=
|Ship completed=February 1905
|Ship completed=February 1905
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|Ship out of service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship struck=
|Ship struck=
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|Ship reinstated=
|Ship honours=
|Ship honours=
|Ship fate= Sunk by mine off [[Cape Wrath]] on 6 January 1916
|Ship fate=[[Naval mine|Mine]]d off [[Cape Wrath]], 6 January 1916
|Ship motto=
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=The ''King Edward VII''-class battleships were known as "The Wobbly Eight"
|Ship nickname=The ''King Edward VII''-class battleships were known as "The Wobbly Eight"
|Ship captured=
|Ship status=
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
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|Header caption=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=[[King Edward VII class battleship|''King Edward VII'' class]]
|Ship class=[[King Edward VII class battleship|''King Edward VII''-class]] [[pre-dreadnought battleship]]
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|Ship displacement={{convert|16350|LT|t|lk=on|abbr=on}} (standard) <br/> {{convert|17500|LT|t|abbr=on}} (full load)
|Ship type=[[Predreadnought]] [[battleship]]
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|Ship displacement=16,350&nbsp;tons (standard)<br />17,500&nbsp;tons (full load)
|Ship length={{convert|453|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship length={{convert|453|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|78|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|78|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|26|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|26|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship power={{convert|18000|ihp|kW|lk=on|abbr=on}}
|Ship decks=
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|Ship propulsion=2 × 4-cylinder vertical triple expansion [[steam engine]]s <br/> [[coal]]-fired (with [[Fuel oil|oil]] sprayers) boilers (10 [[Babcock and Wilcox]] [[water-tube boiler]]s and 6 cylindrical [[boiler]]s<ref>''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1860-1905'', p. 38, although Burt, p. 232, claims she had 10 [[Babcock and Wilcox]] water-tube boilers and 3 cylindrical boilers</ref>) <br/> 2 × screws
|Ship power=18,000 [[ihp]] (13&nbsp;MW)
|Ship speed={{convert|18.5|kn|mph km/h|lk=on|abbr=on}}
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|Ship propulsion=Coal-fired (with oil sprayers) boilers (10 [[Babcock and Wilcox]] water-tube boilers and 6 cylindrical boilers<ref>''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1860-1905'', p. 38, although Burt, p. 232, claims she had 10 [[Babcock and Wilcox]] water-tube boilers and 3 cylindrical boilers</ref>); two 4-cylinder vertical compound expansion steam engines; two screws
|Ship range={{convert|2000|nmi|mi km|lk=on|abbr=on}} at {{convert|18.5|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on}} <br/> {{convert|5270|nmi|mi km|abbr=on}} at {{convert|10|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on}}
|Ship speed=18.5&nbsp;knots (33&nbsp;km/h)
|Ship capacity=*'''[[Coal]]:''' {{convert|2164|-|2238|ST|t|abbr=on}}
|Ship range=2,000 [[nautical mile]]s (3,704 km) at 18.5 knots (34 km/h); 5,270 nautical miles (9,760 km) at 10 knots (18.5 km/h)
*'''[[Fuel oil]]:''' {{convert|380|ST|t|abbr=on}}
|Ship endurance=
|Ship boats=
|Ship capacity=
|Ship troops=
|Ship complement=777
|Ship complement=777
|Ship armament=4 × [[BL 12 inch Mk IX naval gun|BL {{convert|12|in|mm|abbr=on}} Mk IX gun]]s (2x2) <br/> 4 × [[BL 9.2 inch gun Mk IX - X|BL {{convert|9.2|in|mm|abbr=on}} Mk X gun]]s (4x1) <br/> 10 × [[BL 6 inch Mk VII naval gun|BL {{convert|6|in|mm|abbr=on}} Mk VII gun]]s <br/>
|Ship crew=
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14 × [[QF 12 pounder 12 cwt naval gun|12-pounder quick-firing gun]]s <br/> 14 × [[QF 3 pounder Hotchkiss|3-pounder quick-firing gun]]s </br/> 5 × [[British 18 inch torpedo|18-inch (450-mm)]] [[torpedo tube]]s (submerged), four on the beam and one in the stern<ref>''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, p. 38, says there were only four of these torpedo tubes</ref> <br/> 2 × [[Maxim machine gun]]s
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship armour=*'''[[Belt armor|Belt]]:''' {{convert|8|-|9|in|cm|abbr=on}} (amidships)
|Ship sensors=
*'''[[Bulkhead (partition)|Bulkhead]]s:''' {{convert|8|-|12|in|cm|abbr=on}}
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=4 x [[BL 12 inch Mk IX naval gun|BL {{convert|12|in|mm|sing=on|sigfig=4}} Mk IX guns]] (2 x 2)<br />
*'''[[Barbette]]s:''' {{convert|12|in|cm|abbr=on}}
*'''[[Gun turret|Turret]]s:''':
4 x [[BL 9.2 inch gun Mk IX - X|BL {{convert|9.2|in|mm|sing=on|sigfig=4}} Mk X guns]] (4 x 1)<br />
10 x [[BL 6 inch Mk VII naval gun|BL {{convert|6|in|mm|sing=on|sigfig=4}} Mk VII guns]]<br />
**'''Main Battery:''' {{convert|8|-|12|in|cm|abbr=on}}
**'''9.2-inch Battery:''' {{convert|5|-|9|in|cm|abbr=on}}
14 x [[QF 12 pounder 12 cwt naval gun|12&nbsp;pounder quick-firing guns]]<br />
**'''6-inch Battery:''' {{convert|7|in|cm|abbr=on}}
14 x [[QF 3 pounder Hotchkiss|3&nbsp;pounder quick-firing guns]]</br />
*'''[[Conning tower|Conning Tower]]:''' {{convert|12|in|cm|abbr=on}}
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5 x [[British 18 inch torpedo|18&nbsp;inch (450&nbsp;mm) torpedo]] tubes (submerged), four on the beam and one in the stern<ref>''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, p. 38, says there were only four of these torpedo tubes</ref><br />
*'''[[Deck (ship)|Deck]]:''' {{convert|1|-|2.5|in|cm|abbr=on}}
2 x [[Maxim machine gun]]s
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|Ship notes=
|Ship armour=Belt amidships: 9 inches tapering to 8 inches (203 mm)<br />Bulkheads: 12 inches (305 mm) to 8 inches (203 mm)<br />Barbettes: 12 inches (356 mm)<br />Main turrets (gunhouses): 12 inches (356 mm) to 8 inches (203 mm)<br />9.2&nbsp;inch (234&nbsp;mm) turrets: 9 inches (229 mm) to 5 inches (127 mm)<br />6&nbsp;inch (152&nbsp;mm) battery: 7 inches (178 mm)<br />Conning tower: 12 inches (305 mm)<br />Armoured deck: 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) to 1 inch (25.4 mm)
|Ship notes=2,164-2,238 tons coal maximum, 380 tons oil
}}
}}
|}
|}
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'''HMS ''King Edward VII''''', named after [[Edward VII of the United Kingdom|King Edward VII]], was the lead ship of the [[King Edward VII class battleship|''King Edward VII'' class]] of [[Great Britain|British]] [[Royal Navy]] [[predreadnought]] [[battleship]]s.


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'''HMS ''King Edward VII''''', named after [[Edward VII of the United Kingdom|King Edward VII]], was the lead ship of the [[King Edward VII class battleship|''King Edward VII''-class]] of [[Royal Navy]] [[pre-dreadnought battleship]]s.
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==Technical Characteristics==


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==Technical Characteristics==
HMS ''King Edward VII'' was laid down at [[HMNB Devonport|Devonport Dockyard]] on 8 March 1902. She was launched by [[King Edward VII]] on 23 July 1903, and completed in February 1905.
HMS ''King Edward VII'' was laid down at [[HMNB Devonport|Devonport Dockyard]] on 8 March 1902. She was launched by [[King Edward VII]] on 23 July 1903, and completed in February 1905.


Although ''King Edward VII'' and her seven sister ships of the [[King Edward VII class battleship|''King Edward VII'' class]] were a direct descendant of the [[Majestic class battleship|''Majestic'' class]], they were also the first class to make a significant departure from the ''Majestic'' design, displacing about 1,000 tons more and mounting for the first time an intermediate battery of four 9.2-inch (234-mm) guns in addition to the standard outfit of 6-inch (152-mm) guns. The 9.2-inch was a quick-firing gun like the 6-inch, and its heavier shell made it a formidable weapon by the standards of the day when ''King Edward VII'' and her sisters were designed; it was adopted out of concerns that British battleships were undergunned for their displacement and were becoming outgunned by foreign battleships that had begun to mount 8-inch (203-mm) intermediate batteries. The four 9.2-inch were mounted in single turrets abreast the foremast and mainmast, and ''King Edward VII'' thus could bring two of them to bear on either broadside. Even then, ''King Edward VII'' and her sisters were criticized for not having, a uniform secondary battery of 9.2-inch guns, something considered but rejected because of the length of time it would have taken to design the ships with such a radical revision of the secondary armament layout. In the end, it proved impossible to distinguish 12-inch and 9.2-inch shell splashes from one another, making fire control impractical for ships mounting both calibers, although ''King Edward VII'' had fire-control platforms on her fore- and mainmasts rather than the fighting tops of earlier classes.<ref name="Conway p. 38">''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1860-1905'', p. 38</ref>
Although ''King Edward VII'' and her seven [[sister ship]]s of the [[King Edward VII class battleship|''King Edward VII''-class]] were a direct descendant of the [[Majestic class battleship|''Majestic''-class]]; they were also the first class to make a significant departure from the ''Majestic'' design, displacing about {{convert|1000|LT|t|lk=on|abbr=on}} more and mounting for the first time an intermediate battery of four {{convert|9.2|in|mm|abbr=on}} guns in addition to the standard outfit of {{convert|6|in|mm|abbr=on}} guns. The 9.2-incher was a quick-firing gun like the 6-incher, and its heavier shell made it a formidable weapon by the standards of the day when ''King Edward VII'' and her sisters were designed; it was adopted out of concerns that British battleships were undergunned for their displacement and were becoming outgunned by foreign battleships that had begun to mount {{convert|8|in|mm|abbr=on}} intermediate batteries. The four 9.2-inchers were mounted in single turrets abreast the foremast and mainmast, and ''King Edward VII'' thus could bring two of them to bear on either broadside. Even then, ''King Edward VII'' and her sisters were criticized for not having, a uniform secondary battery of 9.2-inch guns, something considered but rejected because of the length of time it would have taken to design the ships with such a radical revision of the secondary armament layout. In the end, it proved impossible to distinguish 12-inch and 9.2-inch shell splashes from one another, making fire control impractical for ships mounting both calibers, although ''King Edward VII'' had fire-control platforms on her fore- and mainmasts rather than the fighting tops of earlier classes.<ref name="Conway p. 38">''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1860-1905'', p. 38</ref>


Like all British battleships since the ''Majestic'' class, the ''King Edward VII''-class ships had four 12-inch (305-mm) guns in two twin turrets (one forward and one aft), the first five ''King Edwards'', including ''King Edward VII'' herself, mounted the Mark IX 12-inch gun. Mounting of the 6-inch guns in [[casemate]]s was abandoned in ''King Edward VII'' and her sister ships, the 6-inch instead being placed in a central battery amidships protected by 7-inch (178-mm) armored walls. Otherwise, ''King Edward VII's'' armor was much as in the [[Formidable class battleship|''London'' class]] battleships, although there were various differences in detail from the ''London''s.<ref name="Conway p. 38"/>
Like all British battleships since the ''Majestic''s, the ''King Edward''s had four {{convert|12|in|mm|abbr=on}} guns in two twin turrets (one forward and one aft), the first five ''King Edward''s, including ''King Edward VII'' herself, mounted the Mark IX 12-inch gun. Mounting of the 6-inch guns in [[casemate]]s was abandoned in the ''King Edward''s, the 6-inch instead being placed in a central battery amidships protected by {{convert|7|in|cm|abbr=on}} armoured walls. Otherwise, ''King Edward VII''{{'}}s armour was much as in the [[Formidable class battleship|''London''-class]] battleships, although there were various differences in detail from the ''London''s<ref name="Conway p. 38"/>.


''King Edward VII'' and her sisters were the first British battleships with balanced rudders since the 1870s and were very maneuverable, with a tactical diameter of 340 yards (311 m) at 15 knots (27.75&nbsp;km/h). However, they were difficult to keep on a straight course, and this characteristic led to them being nicknamed "the Wobbly Eight" during their 1914-1916 service in the [[Grand Fleet]]. They had a slightly faster roll than previous British battleship classes, but were good gun platforms, although very wet in bad weather.<ref name="Conway p. 38"/>
''King Edward VII'' and her sisters were the first British battleships with balanced rudders since the 1870s and were very maneuverable, with a [[Turning radius|tactical diameter]] of {{convert|340|yd|m|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn|mph km/h|lk=on|abbr=on}}. However, they were difficult to keep on a straight course, and this characteristic led to them being nicknamed "the Wobbly Eight" during their 1914-1916 service in the [[Grand Fleet]]. They had a slightly faster roll than previous British battleship classes, but were good gun platforms, although very wet in bad weather<ref name="Conway p. 38"/>.


[[Image:HMS King Edward VII, King Edward VII class battleship.jpg|thumb|left|HMS ''King Edward VII'' in dry dock.]]
[[Image:HMS King Edward VII, King Edward VII class battleship.jpg|thumb|left|''King Edward VII'' in dry dock.]]


Primarily powered by coal, ''King Edward VII'' had oil sprayers installed during her construction, as did all of her sisters except [[HMS New Zealand (1904)|HMS ''New Zealand'']], the first time this had been done in [[United Kingdom|British]] battleships. These allowed steam pressure to be rapidly increased, improving ''King Edward VII's'' acceleration. The eight ships between them were given four different boiler installations for comparative purposes; ''King Edward VII's'' is variously reported to have had 10 [[Babcock and Wilcox]] boilers and six cylindrical boilers<ref name="Conway p. 38"/> or 10 [[Babcock and Wilcox]] boilers and three cylindrical boilers.<ref>urt, p. 232</ref> She exceeded her designed speed on trials.<ref name="Conway p. 38"/>
Primarily powered by coal, ''King Edward VII'' had oil sprayers installed during her construction, as did all of her sisters except {{HMS|New Zealand|1904|2}}, the first time this had been done in [[United Kingdom|British]] battleships. These allowed steam pressure to be rapidly increased, improving ''King Edward VII''{{'}}s acceleration. The eight ships between them were given four different boiler installations for comparative purposes; ''King Edward VII'' is variously reported to have had 10 [[Babcock and Wilcox]] boilers and six cylindrical boilers<ref name="Conway p. 38"/> or 10 [[Babcock and Wilcox]] boilers and three cylindrical boilers.<ref>urt, p. 232</ref> She exceeded her designed speed on trials<ref name="Conway p. 38"/>.


''King Edward VII'' was a powerful ship when she was designed, and completely fulfilled the goals set for her at that time. However, she was unlucky in that the years of her design and construction were ones of revolutionary advancement in naval guns, fire control, armor, and propulsion. She joined the fleet in early 1905, but was made obsolete in less than two years by the commissioning of the revolutionary battleship {{HMS|Dreadnought|1906|6}} at the end of 1906 and the large numbers of the new [[dreadnought]] battleships that commissioned in succeeding years. By 1914, ''King Edward VII'' and her sister ships were, like all predreadnoughts, so outclassed that they spent much of their 1914-1916 Grand Fleet service steaming at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, protecting the dreadnoughts from [[naval mines]] by being the first battleships to either sight or strike them.<ref name="Burt, p. 235">Burt, p. 235</ref>
''King Edward VII'' was a powerful ship when she was designed, and completely fulfilled the goals set for her at that time. However, she was unlucky in that the years of her design and construction were ones of revolutionary advancement in naval guns, fire control, armour, and propulsion. She joined the fleet in early 1905, but was made obsolete in less than two years by the commissioning of the revolutionary battleship {{HMS|Dreadnought|1906|2}} at the end of 1906 and the large numbers of the new [[dreadnought]] battleships that commissioned in succeeding years. By 1914, ''King Edward VII'' and her sisters — like all pre-dreadnoughts — were so outclassed that they spent much of their 1914-1916 Grand Fleet service steaming at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, protecting the dreadnoughts from [[naval mines]] by being the first battleships to either sight or strike them<ref name="Burt, p. 235">Burt, p. 235</ref>.


==Operational History==
==Operational History==

[[King Edward VII]] consented to having ''King Edward VII'' carry his name on the condition that she always serve as a [[flagship]]. The [[Royal Navy]] honored this wish throughout her career.<ref name="Burt, p. 246">Burt, p. 246</ref>
[[King Edward VII]] consented to having ''King Edward VII'' carry his name on the condition that she always serve as a [[flagship]]. The [[Royal Navy]] honored this wish throughout her career.<ref name="Burt, p. 246">Burt, p. 246</ref>


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On 5 March 1907, ''King Edward VII'' recommissioned as flagship of [[Admiral]] [[Lord Charles Beresford]], Commander-in-Chief, [[Channel Fleet]]. She underwent another refit at Portsmouth in 1907-1908.<ref name="Burt, p. 246"/>
On 5 March 1907, ''King Edward VII'' recommissioned as flagship of [[Admiral]] [[Lord Charles Beresford]], Commander-in-Chief, [[Channel Fleet]]. She underwent another refit at Portsmouth in 1907-1908.<ref name="Burt, p. 246"/>


Under a fleet reorganization on 24 March 1909, the Channel Fleet became the 2nd Division, [[Home Fleet]]. Accordingly, ''King Edward VII'' recommissioned as Flagship, [[Vice Admiral]], Home Fleet on 27 March 1909. She underwent a refit at Portsmouth from December 1909 to February 1910. She recommissioned at Portsmouth on 1 August 1911 as Flagship, Vice Admiral, Third and Fourth Divisions, Home Fleet.<ref name="Burt, p. 246"/>
Under a fleet reorganization on 24 March 1909, the Channel Fleet became the 2nd Division, [[Home Fleet]]. Accordingly, ''King Edward VII'' recommissioned as Flagship, [[Vice Admiral]], Home Fleet on 27 March. She underwent a refit at Portsmouth from December 1909-February 1910. She recommissioned at Portsmouth on 1 August 1911 as Flagship, Vice Admiral, Third and Fourth Divisions, Home Fleet.<ref name="Burt, p. 246"/>


Under a fleet reorganization in May 1912, ''King Edward VII'' and all seven of her sisters of the ''King Edward VII'' class ([[HMS Africa (1905)|''Africa'']], [[HMS Britannia (1904)|''Britannia'']], [[HMS Commonwealth (1903)|''Commonwealth'']], [[HMS Dominion (1903)|''Dominion'']], [[HMS Hibernia (1905)|''Hibernia'']], [[HMS Hindustan (1903)|''Hindustan'']], and [[HMS New Zealand (1904)|''Zealandia'']]) were assigned to form the [[3rd Battle Squadron (United Kingdom)|3rd Battle Squadron]], assigned to the First Fleet, Home Fleet. ''King Edward VII'' commissioned at [[Sheerness]] as Flagship, Vice Admiral, 3rd Battle Squadron, First Fleet, Home Fleet, on 14 May 1912.
Under a fleet reorganization in May 1912, ''King Edward VII'' and all seven of her sisters ({{HMS|Africa|1905|2}}, {{HMS|Britannia|1904|2}}, {{HMS|Commonwealth|1903|2}}, {{HMS|Dominion|1903|2}}, {{HMS|Hibernia|1905|2}}, {{HMS|Hindustan|1903|2}}, and [[HMS New Zealand (1904)|''Zealandia'']]) were assigned to form the [[3rd Battle Squadron (United Kingdom)|3rd Battle Squadron]], assigned to the First Fleet, Home Fleet. ''King Edward VII'' commissioned at [[Sheerness]] as Flagship, Vice Admiral, 3rd Battle Squadron, First Fleet, Home Fleet, on 14 May 1912.


The 3rd Battle Squadron was detached to the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] in November 1912 because of the [[First Balkan War]] (October 1912-May 1913); it arrived at [[Malta]] on 27 November 1912 and subsequently participated in a [[blockade]] by an international force of [[Montenegro]] and in an occupation of [[Shkodër, Albania|Scutari]]. The squadron returned to the United Kingdom in 1913 and rejoined the Home Fleet on 27 June 1913<ref>Burt, p. 255</ref>
The 3rd Battle Squadron was detached to the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] in November 1912 because of the [[First Balkan War]] (October 1912-May 1913); it arrived at [[Malta]] on 27 November 1912 and subsequently participated in a [[blockade]] by an international force of [[Montenegro]] and in an occupation of [[Shkodër, Albania|Scutari]]. The squadron returned to the United Kingdom in 1913 and rejoined the Home Fleet on 27 June 1913<ref>Burt, p. 255</ref>.


Upon the outbreak of [[World War I]], the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the [[Grand Fleet]] and based at [[Rosyth]], with ''King Edward VII'' continuing her service as squadron flagship. The squadron was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's [[cruiser]]s on the [[Northern Patrol]]. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at [[Portland, England|Portland]]. The squadron returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914, although ''King Edward VII'' remained behind temporarily, not returning to the Grand Fleet until 30 November 1914.<ref>Burt, pp. 246-247</ref>
Upon the outbreak of the [[World War I]], the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at [[Rosyth]], with ''King Edward VII'' continuing her service as squadron flagship. The squadron was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's [[cruiser]]s on the [[Northern Patrol]]. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at [[Portland, England|Portland]]. The squadron returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November, although ''King Edward VII'' remained behind temporarily, not returning to the Grand Fleet until 30 November 1914.<ref>Burt, pp. 246-247</ref>


''King Edward VII'' served in the Grand Fleet until her loss in January 1916.<ref>Burt, p. 247</ref> During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable [[dreadnought]]s, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for [[naval mines|mines]] or by being the first to strike them.<ref name="Burt, p. 235"/>
''King Edward VII'' served in the Grand Fleet until her loss in January 1916.<ref>Burt, p. 247</ref> During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sisters often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable [[dreadnought]]s, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for [[naval mines|mine]]s or by being the first to strike them<ref name="Burt, p. 235"/>.


On 6 January 1916, ''King Edward VII'', having transferred her flag temporarily, departed [[Scapa Flow]] at 0712 hours on a voyage around the northern coast of [[Scotland]] to [[Belfast]], where she was scheduled to undergo a refit. At 1047 hours she struck a [[naval mine|mine]] that had been laid by the German [[auxiliary cruiser]] [[SMS Moewe (auxiliary cruiser)|SMS ''Möwe'']] off [[Cape Wrath]]. The [[explosion]] occurred under the starboard engine room, and ''King Edward VII'' listed eight degrees to starboard. Her commanding officer, Captain MacLachlin, ordered her helm put over to starboard to close the coast and beach the ship if necessary, but the helm jammed hard to starboard and the engine rooms quickly flooded, stopping the engines. Counterflooding reduced her list to five degrees.<ref name="Burt, p. 247-248">Burt, p. 247-248</ref>
On 6 January 1916, ''King Edward VII'' — having transferred her flag temporarily — departed [[Scapa Flow]] at 07:12 on a voyage around the northern coast of [[Scotland]] to [[Belfast]], where she was scheduled to undergo a refit. At 10:47, she struck a mine that had been laid by the [[Kaiserliche Marine|German]] [[auxiliary cruiser]] [[SMS Moewe (auxiliary cruiser)|SMS ''Möwe'']] off [[Cape Wrath]]. The [[explosion]] occurred under the [[starboard]] engine room, and ''King Edward VII'' [[List (watercraft)|list]]ed 8° to starboard. Her commanding officer — Captain MacLachlin — ordered her helm put over to starboard to close the coast and beach the ship if necessary, but the helm jammed hard to starboard and the engine rooms quickly flooded, stopping the engines. Counterflooding reduced her list to 5°<ref name="Burt, p. 247-248">Burt, p. 247-248</ref>.


Signals to the passing [[collier]] ''Princess Melita'' induced her to close with ''King Edward VII'' and attempt to tow the battleship; soon [[flotilla leader]] [[HMS Kempfenfelt (1915)|HMS ''Kempfenfelt'']] also arrived and joined the tow attempt. Towing began at 1415 hours, but ''King Edward VII'' settled deeper in the water and took on a 15-degee list in a rising sea and strong winds and proved unmanageable. ''Princess Melita's'' towline parted at 1440 hours, after which Captain MacLachlin ordered ''Kempfenfelt'' to slip her tow as well.<ref name="Burt, p. 247-248"/>
Signals to the passing [[Collier (ship type)|collier]] ''Princess Melita'' induced her to close with ''King Edward VII'' and attempt to tow the battleship; soon, [[flotilla leader]] {{HMS|Kempfenfelt|1915|2}} also arrived and joined the tow attempt. Towing began at 14:15, but ''King Edward VII'' settled deeper in the water and took on a 15° list in a rising sea and strong winds and proved unmanageable. ''Princess Melita''{{'}}s towline parted at 14:40, after which Captain MacLachlin ordered ''Kempfenfelt'' to slip her tow as well<ref name="Burt, p. 247-248"/>.


[[Image:HMS King Edward VII (1903) sinking on 6 January 1916.jpg|thumb|left|''King Edward VII'' sinking off [[Cape Wrath]] on the afternoon of 6 January 1916.]]
[[Image:HMS King Edward VII (1903) sinking on 6 January 1916.jpg|thumb|left|''King Edward VII'' sinking off [[Cape Wrath]] on the afternoon of 6 January 1916.]]


With flooding continuing and darkness approaching, Captain MacLachlin ordered ''King Edward VII'' abandoned. [[Destroyer]] [[HMS Musketeer (1915)|''Musketeer'']] came alongside at 1445 hours, and she and destroyers [[HMS Fortune (1913)|''Fortune'']] and [[HMS Marne (1915)|''Marne'']], took off the crew without loss of life, the last man off being Captain MacLachlin, who boarded destroyer [[HMS Nessus (1915)|''Nessus'']] at 1610 hours. ''Fortune'', ''Marne'', and ''Musketeer'' departed to take the battleship's crew to port, while ''Nessus'' stayed on the scene until 1720 hours with [[tugboat|tugs]] that had arrived to assist. After ''Nessus'' departed, the tugs continued to stand by, and saw ''King Edward VII'' capsize at 2010 hours and sink around nine hours after the explosion.<ref>Burt, pp. 249, 251</ref>
With flooding continuing and darkness approaching, Captain MacLachlin ordered ''King Edward VII'' abandoned. The [[destroyer]] {{HMS|Musketeer|1915|2}} came alongside at 14:45, and she and destroyers {{HMS|Fortune|1913|2}} and {{HMS|Marne|1915|2}}, took off the crew without loss of life, the last man off being Captain MacLachlin, who boarded destroyer {{HMS|Nessus|1915|2}} at 16:10. ''Fortune'', ''Marne'', and ''Musketeer'' departed to take the battleship's crew to port, while ''Nessus'' stayed on the scene until 17:20 with [[tugboat|tugs]] that had arrived to assist. After ''Nessus'' departed, the tugs continued to stand by, and saw ''King Edward VII'' capsize at 20:10 and sink around nine hours after the explosion<ref>Burt, pp. 249, 251</ref>.


At the time it was not clear whether ''King Edward VII'' had hit a [[naval mine]] or a been [[torpedo]]ed. The presence of the minefield was determined from an examination of German records after the war.
At the time it was not clear whether ''King Edward VII'' had hit a [[naval mine]] or a been [[torpedo]]ed. The presence of the minefield was determined from an examination of German records after the war.
Line 114: Line 106:
The wreck of ''King Edward VII'', in 115 meters (377&nbsp;ft) of water, was first visited by divers in April 1997.
The wreck of ''King Edward VII'', in 115 meters (377&nbsp;ft) of water, was first visited by divers in April 1997.


== Notes ==
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== References ==
==References==
* Burt, R. A. ''British Battleships 1889-1904''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1988. ISBN 0870210610.
*Burt, R. A. ''British Battleships 1889-1904''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1988. ISBN 0870210610.
* Chesneau, Roger, and Eugene M. Kolesnik, eds. ''Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships, 1860-1905''. New York: Mayflower Books, Inc., 1979. ISBN 0831703024.
*Chesneau, Roger, and Eugene M. Kolesnik, eds. ''Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships, 1860-1905''. New York: Mayflower Books, Inc., 1979. ISBN 0831703024.
* Dittmar, F. J. & Colledge, J. J. ''British Warships 1914-1919''. London: Ian Allen, 1972. ISBN 0-7110-0380-7
*Dittmar, F. J. & Colledge, J. J. ''British Warships 1914-1919''. London: Ian Allen, 1972. ISBN 0-7110-0380-7
* Gibbons, Tony. ''The Complete Encyclopedia of Battleships and Battlecruisers: A Technical Directory of All the World's Capital Ships From 1860 to the Present Day''. London: Salamander Books Ltd., 1983.
*Gibbons, Tony. ''The Complete Encyclopedia of Battleships and Battlecruisers: A Technical Directory of All the World's Capital Ships From 1860 to the Present Day''. London: Salamander Books Ltd., 1983.
* Gray, Randal, Ed. ''Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1906-1921.'' Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1985. ISBN 0870219073.
*Gray, Randal, Ed. ''Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1906-1921.'' Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1985. ISBN 0870219073.


== External links ==
==External links==
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/great_britain/battleships/king_edward_7/hms_king_edward_7.htm Maritimequest HMS King Edward VII Photo Gallery]
*[http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/great_britain/battleships/king_edward_7/hms_king_edward_7.htm Maritimequest HMS King Edward VII Photo Gallery]
* [http://website.lineone.net/~britannic98/prevexp/kedwexp.htm 1997 diving expedition] (Link Broken)
*[http://website.lineone.net/~britannic98/prevexp/kedwexp.htm 1997 diving expedition] (Link Broken)


{{King Edward VII class battleship}}
{{King Edward VII class battleship}}

Revision as of 02:51, 19 March 2010

HMS King Edward VII in early 1907
History
RN EnsignUnited Kingdom
NameHMS King Edward VII
NamesakeKing Edward VII
Ordered1903/04 Estimates
BuilderDevonport Dockyard
Laid down8 March 1902
Launched23 July 1903
CompletedFebruary 1905
Commissioned7 February 1905
Nickname(s)The King Edward VII-class battleships were known as "The Wobbly Eight"
FateMined off Cape Wrath, 6 January 1916
General characteristics
Class and typeKing Edward VII-class pre-dreadnought battleship
Displacementlist error: <br /> list (help)
16,350 long tons (16,610 t) (standard)
17,500 long tons (17,800 t) (full load)
Length453 ft 6 in (138.23 m)
Beam78 ft (24 m)
Draught26 ft 9 in (8.15 m)
Installed power18,000 ihp (13,000 kW)
Propulsionlist error: <br /> list (help)
2 × 4-cylinder vertical triple expansion steam engines
coal-fired (with oil sprayers) boilers (10 Babcock and Wilcox water-tube boilers and 6 cylindrical boilers[1])
2 × screws
Speed18.5 kn (21.3 mph; 34.3 km/h)
Rangelist error: <br /> list (help)
2,000 nmi (2,300 mi; 3,700 km) at 18.5 kn (21.3 mph; 34.3 km/h)
5,270 nmi (6,060 mi; 9,760 km) at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h)
Capacity
  • Coal: 2,164–2,238 short tons (1,963–2,030 t)
  • Fuel oil: 380 short tons (340 t)
Complement777
Armamentlist error: <br /> list (help)
4 × BL 12 in (300 mm) Mk IX guns (2x2)
4 × BL 9.2 in (230 mm) Mk X guns (4x1)
10 × BL 6 in (150 mm) Mk VII guns
14 × 12-pounder quick-firing guns
14 × 3-pounder quick-firing guns
5 × 18-inch (450-mm) torpedo tubes (submerged), four on the beam and one in the stern[2]
2 × Maxim machine guns
Armour
  • Belt: 8–9 in (20–23 cm) (amidships)
  • Bulkheads: 8–12 in (20–30 cm)
  • Barbettes: 12 in (30 cm)
  • Turrets::
    • Main Battery: 8–12 in (20–30 cm)
    • 9.2-inch Battery: 5–9 in (13–23 cm)
    • 6-inch Battery: 7 in (18 cm)
  • Conning Tower: 12 in (30 cm)
  • Deck: 1–2.5 in (2.5–6.4 cm)

HMS King Edward VII, named after King Edward VII, was the lead ship of the King Edward VII-class of Royal Navy pre-dreadnought battleships.

Technical Characteristics

HMS King Edward VII was laid down at Devonport Dockyard on 8 March 1902. She was launched by King Edward VII on 23 July 1903, and completed in February 1905.

Although King Edward VII and her seven sister ships of the King Edward VII-class were a direct descendant of the Majestic-class; they were also the first class to make a significant departure from the Majestic design, displacing about 1,000 long tons (1,000 t) more and mounting for the first time an intermediate battery of four 9.2 in (230 mm) guns in addition to the standard outfit of 6 in (150 mm) guns. The 9.2-incher was a quick-firing gun like the 6-incher, and its heavier shell made it a formidable weapon by the standards of the day when King Edward VII and her sisters were designed; it was adopted out of concerns that British battleships were undergunned for their displacement and were becoming outgunned by foreign battleships that had begun to mount 8 in (200 mm) intermediate batteries. The four 9.2-inchers were mounted in single turrets abreast the foremast and mainmast, and King Edward VII thus could bring two of them to bear on either broadside. Even then, King Edward VII and her sisters were criticized for not having, a uniform secondary battery of 9.2-inch guns, something considered but rejected because of the length of time it would have taken to design the ships with such a radical revision of the secondary armament layout. In the end, it proved impossible to distinguish 12-inch and 9.2-inch shell splashes from one another, making fire control impractical for ships mounting both calibers, although King Edward VII had fire-control platforms on her fore- and mainmasts rather than the fighting tops of earlier classes.[3]

Like all British battleships since the Majestics, the King Edwards had four 12 in (300 mm) guns in two twin turrets (one forward and one aft), the first five King Edwards, including King Edward VII herself, mounted the Mark IX 12-inch gun. Mounting of the 6-inch guns in casemates was abandoned in the King Edwards, the 6-inch instead being placed in a central battery amidships protected by 7 in (18 cm) armoured walls. Otherwise, King Edward VII's armour was much as in the London-class battleships, although there were various differences in detail from the Londons[3].

King Edward VII and her sisters were the first British battleships with balanced rudders since the 1870s and were very maneuverable, with a tactical diameter of 340 yd (310 m) at 15 kn (17 mph; 28 km/h). However, they were difficult to keep on a straight course, and this characteristic led to them being nicknamed "the Wobbly Eight" during their 1914-1916 service in the Grand Fleet. They had a slightly faster roll than previous British battleship classes, but were good gun platforms, although very wet in bad weather[3].

King Edward VII in dry dock.

Primarily powered by coal, King Edward VII had oil sprayers installed during her construction, as did all of her sisters except New Zealand, the first time this had been done in British battleships. These allowed steam pressure to be rapidly increased, improving King Edward VII's acceleration. The eight ships between them were given four different boiler installations for comparative purposes; King Edward VII is variously reported to have had 10 Babcock and Wilcox boilers and six cylindrical boilers[3] or 10 Babcock and Wilcox boilers and three cylindrical boilers.[4] She exceeded her designed speed on trials[3].

King Edward VII was a powerful ship when she was designed, and completely fulfilled the goals set for her at that time. However, she was unlucky in that the years of her design and construction were ones of revolutionary advancement in naval guns, fire control, armour, and propulsion. She joined the fleet in early 1905, but was made obsolete in less than two years by the commissioning of the revolutionary battleship Dreadnought at the end of 1906 and the large numbers of the new dreadnought battleships that commissioned in succeeding years. By 1914, King Edward VII and her sisters — like all pre-dreadnoughts — were so outclassed that they spent much of their 1914-1916 Grand Fleet service steaming at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, protecting the dreadnoughts from naval mines by being the first battleships to either sight or strike them[5].

Operational History

King Edward VII consented to having King Edward VII carry his name on the condition that she always serve as a flagship. The Royal Navy honored this wish throughout her career.[6]

HMS King Edward VII commissioned on 7 February 1905 at Devonport Dockyard for service as Flagship, Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet. She underwent a refit in 1906-1907. Her Atlantic Fleet service ended when she paid off at Portsmouth Dockyard on 4 March 1907.[6]

On 5 March 1907, King Edward VII recommissioned as flagship of Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, Commander-in-Chief, Channel Fleet. She underwent another refit at Portsmouth in 1907-1908.[6]

Under a fleet reorganization on 24 March 1909, the Channel Fleet became the 2nd Division, Home Fleet. Accordingly, King Edward VII recommissioned as Flagship, Vice Admiral, Home Fleet on 27 March. She underwent a refit at Portsmouth from December 1909-February 1910. She recommissioned at Portsmouth on 1 August 1911 as Flagship, Vice Admiral, Third and Fourth Divisions, Home Fleet.[6]

Under a fleet reorganization in May 1912, King Edward VII and all seven of her sisters (Africa, Britannia, Commonwealth, Dominion, Hibernia, Hindustan, and Zealandia) were assigned to form the 3rd Battle Squadron, assigned to the First Fleet, Home Fleet. King Edward VII commissioned at Sheerness as Flagship, Vice Admiral, 3rd Battle Squadron, First Fleet, Home Fleet, on 14 May 1912.

The 3rd Battle Squadron was detached to the Mediterranean in November 1912 because of the First Balkan War (October 1912-May 1913); it arrived at Malta on 27 November 1912 and subsequently participated in a blockade by an international force of Montenegro and in an occupation of Scutari. The squadron returned to the United Kingdom in 1913 and rejoined the Home Fleet on 27 June 1913[7].

Upon the outbreak of the World War I, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth, with King Edward VII continuing her service as squadron flagship. The squadron was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. The squadron returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November, although King Edward VII remained behind temporarily, not returning to the Grand Fleet until 30 November 1914.[8]

King Edward VII served in the Grand Fleet until her loss in January 1916.[9] During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sisters often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them[5].

On 6 January 1916, King Edward VII — having transferred her flag temporarily — departed Scapa Flow at 07:12 on a voyage around the northern coast of Scotland to Belfast, where she was scheduled to undergo a refit. At 10:47, she struck a mine that had been laid by the German auxiliary cruiser SMS Möwe off Cape Wrath. The explosion occurred under the starboard engine room, and King Edward VII listed 8° to starboard. Her commanding officer — Captain MacLachlin — ordered her helm put over to starboard to close the coast and beach the ship if necessary, but the helm jammed hard to starboard and the engine rooms quickly flooded, stopping the engines. Counterflooding reduced her list to 5°[10].

Signals to the passing collier Princess Melita induced her to close with King Edward VII and attempt to tow the battleship; soon, flotilla leader Kempfenfelt also arrived and joined the tow attempt. Towing began at 14:15, but King Edward VII settled deeper in the water and took on a 15° list in a rising sea and strong winds and proved unmanageable. Princess Melita's towline parted at 14:40, after which Captain MacLachlin ordered Kempfenfelt to slip her tow as well[10].

King Edward VII sinking off Cape Wrath on the afternoon of 6 January 1916.

With flooding continuing and darkness approaching, Captain MacLachlin ordered King Edward VII abandoned. The destroyer Musketeer came alongside at 14:45, and she and destroyers Fortune and Marne, took off the crew without loss of life, the last man off being Captain MacLachlin, who boarded destroyer Nessus at 16:10. Fortune, Marne, and Musketeer departed to take the battleship's crew to port, while Nessus stayed on the scene until 17:20 with tugs that had arrived to assist. After Nessus departed, the tugs continued to stand by, and saw King Edward VII capsize at 20:10 and sink around nine hours after the explosion[11].

At the time it was not clear whether King Edward VII had hit a naval mine or a been torpedoed. The presence of the minefield was determined from an examination of German records after the war.

The wreck of King Edward VII, in 115 meters (377 ft) of water, was first visited by divers in April 1997.

Notes

  1. ^ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1860-1905, p. 38, although Burt, p. 232, claims she had 10 Babcock and Wilcox water-tube boilers and 3 cylindrical boilers
  2. ^ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, p. 38, says there were only four of these torpedo tubes
  3. ^ a b c d e Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1860-1905, p. 38
  4. ^ urt, p. 232
  5. ^ a b Burt, p. 235
  6. ^ a b c d Burt, p. 246
  7. ^ Burt, p. 255
  8. ^ Burt, pp. 246-247
  9. ^ Burt, p. 247
  10. ^ a b Burt, p. 247-248
  11. ^ Burt, pp. 249, 251

References

  • Burt, R. A. British Battleships 1889-1904. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1988. ISBN 0870210610.
  • Chesneau, Roger, and Eugene M. Kolesnik, eds. Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships, 1860-1905. New York: Mayflower Books, Inc., 1979. ISBN 0831703024.
  • Dittmar, F. J. & Colledge, J. J. British Warships 1914-1919. London: Ian Allen, 1972. ISBN 0-7110-0380-7
  • Gibbons, Tony. The Complete Encyclopedia of Battleships and Battlecruisers: A Technical Directory of All the World's Capital Ships From 1860 to the Present Day. London: Salamander Books Ltd., 1983.
  • Gray, Randal, Ed. Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1906-1921. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1985. ISBN 0870219073.

External links

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