HMS Prince of Wales Battleship

Introduction to the HMS Prince of Wales

The HMS Prince of Wales was a King George V-class battleship of the Royal Navy, built at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, England. She was named after Prince Edward, the Prince of Wales, and was the second vessel of the King George V class. The HMS Prince of Wales played a significant role in World War II, particularly during the early years of the conflict.

Design and Construction

The HMS Prince of Wales was designed to comply with the Washington Naval Treaty and the London Naval Treaty, which imposed restrictions on the size and armament of battleships. She had a displacement of approximately 43,000 tons and was powered by eight Admiralty-designed boilers, which produced 110,000 horsepower. The ship’s main armament consisted of ten 14-inch guns, arranged in two quadruple and one double turret.

Service History

The HMS Prince of Wales was commissioned on January 19, 1941, and initially served in the Home Fleet. In May 1941, she was involved in the Battle of Denmark Strait, where she engaged the German battleship Bismarck. Although the HMS Prince of Wales suffered significant damage, she managed to inflict considerable damage on the Bismarck, which eventually led to the German ship’s sinking. In August 1941, the HMS Prince of Wales, along with the battleship HMS Nelson and the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious, was sent to the Frozen North to escort a convoy to the Soviet Union.

Sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales

On December 10, 1941, the HMS Prince of Wales, along with the battlecruiser HMS Repulse, was sent to Singapore to reinforce the British Far Eastern Fleet. However, on the morning of December 10, the two ships were attacked by Japanese bombers from the 22nd Air Flotilla. The HMS Prince of Wales was hit by multiple torpedoes and bombs, which caused significant damage and flooding. Despite efforts to save the ship, the HMS Prince of Wales eventually capsized and sank at 13:20 hours, resulting in the loss of 327 lives.

🚨 Note: The sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales was a significant blow to the Royal Navy and marked a turning point in the war in the Pacific.

Specifications

The HMS Prince of Wales had the following specifications: - Length: 745 feet 1 inch (227.1 meters) - Beam: 103 feet 2 inches (31.5 meters) - Draft: 29 feet 6 inches (9 meters) - Displacement: 43,000 tons - Speed: 28 knots (52 km/h) - Complement: 1,521 officers and men - Main armament: 10 x 14-inch guns - Secondary armament: 16 x 5.25-inch guns, 48 x 2-pdr guns, 8 x 0.5-inch machine guns

Comparison with Other Battleships

The HMS Prince of Wales was compared to other battleships of her time, including the German Bismarck and the Japanese Yamato. While the HMS Prince of Wales had a smaller main armament than the Yamato, she had a more advanced fire control system and was more maneuverable. The following table compares the specifications of the HMS Prince of Wales with other notable battleships:

Ship	Displacement	Speed	Main Armament
HMS Prince of Wales	43,000 tons	28 knots	10 x 14-inch guns
Bismarck	41,700 tons	30 knots	8 x 15-inch guns
Yamato	72,809 tons	27 knots	9 x 18.1-inch guns

The sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales marked a significant turning point in the war in the Pacific, as it highlighted the vulnerability of battleships to air attacks. The ship’s legacy continues to be remembered and honored by the Royal Navy and naval historians around the world. The story of the HMS Prince of Wales serves as a reminder of the importance of adapting to changing circumstances and the need for continuous innovation in naval warfare.

In the end, the HMS Prince of Wales played a significant role in shaping the course of World War II, and her legacy continues to be felt today. The ship’s bravery and sacrifice will always be remembered as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Royal Navy.

Related Terms:

• british battleship sunk by bismarck
• hms prince of wales wreck
• hms repulse wreck location