History Channel Doco - Battleships

[Felix/FFDS]

Considering that I've been housebound this week, I've had a chance to catch up on the History channel.  A few days ago they had a 4-5 hour series of docos (Australian made) on the battleship  through the ages.

They consider the first "true" ship of the line - purpose built man'o war to be the Mary Rose.

The series goes on to describe the main line ships through the steam age.

The proposition is made that the Dreadnought came about as a review of the Japanese victory over the Russians in the Battle of Tshushima (sp?) Straits - 1905 - where the heavy guns (12-in) did practically all the damage, the smaller guns were never in range.  Therefore the decision was made to equip Dreadnought with all large guns (10 x 12-in ?) which "instantly" made all other battleships outmoded.

The doco also showcased the Battles of Dogger Bank and Jutland to some detail, that last major ship to ship battle, since WW2 basically relegated the battleship to a support gunship, rather than the main striking/battle component.

[Woodlouse2002]

Jutland was the last time two Naval fleets met in battle. It was also the only time two fleets of dreadnaughts, battleships and battlecruisers managed to have a pop at each other. Its sad to note that the last remaining survivor from the battle died only a few months ago. End of an era.

[Woodlouse2002]

The best looking Battlecruiser of all time? I think so.

[Scorpiоn]

I've never been to keen on ships, but to see a battleship is to feel the epitome of pride swell up within the very depths of your soul!

Sad that they're all sunk or chained up now. I however, have the fortune of living nearby the USS Texas! You sense a kind of might, soul and fervor just standing on her deck. As if she wanted to break loose and just take to the open sea!

[WebbPA]

Woody,

I'm not up on Jutland.  From the photo I guess that was when Hood was sunk?

What happened after that - WW2 battles among aircraft carriers?  Post WW2 submarine warfare?  What about modern battleships equipped with long range (Tomahawk) missiles?

[SilverFox441]

Last BB vs BB engagement was at Surigao Strait (during the Leyte Gulf invasions)...several US BB's pounded Yamashiro into scrap.

Aren't there still two US BB's in inactive reserve? Thought Congress said they had to stay until the Navy solidified plans for the Naval Gunfire Support role. I thought it was New Jersey and Iowa.

[SilverFox441]

Just checked http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/s_BB.htm

It's Iowa and Wisconsin in the the Reserve Fleet.

As a related aside...

Irregardless of the USN designation of "CB" for the Alaska Class, do you think it should be a Battlecruiser or a Battleship?

As a reference: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/usns ... /cb1cl.htm

The USN view was that they were cruisers.

[Felix/FFDS]

HMS Hood was sunk by the Bismarck - 1941

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-f ... /hood3.htm


[quote]Woody,

I'm not up on Jutland.

[Woodlouse2002]

The Hood was launched in 1918 and at that time was the largest most powerful warship ever built. She had 8X15 inch guns in four double turrets. Secondary armament consisted of twelve 5.5 inch guns four 4 inch and two 2 pounder multiple guns. She also had 6 torpedo tubes. She had a top speed of 33 knots but by 1941 this had fallen to 29 knots due to extra fitted armour.

One hell of a boat... And in my opinion, better looking than any of her American or German equivilants.

[Professor Brensec]

Like some others, I'm not up on the Naval aspects of either WWI or II (perhaps I should be in order to justify calling myself a WWII history Buff or Amatuer Historian).

Anyway, I saw the History channel Doco on the Bismarck, which also included a sizeable amount of time and info on the sinking of the Hood. There were apparently only 3 survivors of the Hoods sinking, one of whom was interviewed (a boiler attendant as I recall).

These 3 blokes apparently were lucky enough, in the extreme, to be literally blown back to the surface by the explosion of something on the ship after it had gone down. The one interviewed recalled distinctly being lifted at great speed to the surface by "some huge force".

The ship apparently went down very quickly after a lucky hit on the magazine. The only ones more surprised by the sinking than the British, was the crew of the Bismarck.  ;D

I think the "full frontal" shots of the battleships are more "awesome" than the side shots. The way they sit so wide and low in the water. It's really quite thrilling to see them.  :D

I'll try to find a good shot and post it here!  ;)

[Woodlouse2002]

Anyway, I saw the History channel Doco on the Bismarck, which also included a sizeable amount of time and info on the sinking of the Hood. There were apparently only 3 survivors of the Hoods sinking, one of whom was interviewed (a boiler attendant as I recall).

These 3 blokes apparently were lucky enough, in the extreme, to be literally blown back to the surface by the explosion of something on the ship after it had gone down. The one interviewed recalled distinctly being lifted at great speed to the surface by "some huge force".

There were just three survivors from HMS Hood. Signalman Ted Briggs, Able Seaman R.E. Tilburn and Midshipman W.J. Dundas.
Briggs was on the Bridge, Tilburn was manning an AA gun on the boatdeck and Dundas was on the spotting top. The highest manned part of the ship.
The shell that sank Hood hit right next to Tilburns position. All three had the most amazing escapes from the vessel.

Just on a side note, a great-uncle of mine was a gunner aboard the Hood. However when she was blowen up he was on shore leave.

Eyewitness reports also state that the Hood blew up without a sound. Certainly Briggs didn't hear the explosion that blew her in two.

[Woodlouse2002]

Last BB vs BB engagement was at Surigao Strait (during the Leyte Gulf invasions)...several US BB's pounded Yamashiro into scrap.

The last big gun engagement in Europe took place on Boxing day 1943. Where the German Battlecruiser Scharnorst had a two and a half hour dual with HMS Duke of York.

[Ivan]

Just checked http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/s_BB.htm

It's Iowa and Wisconsin in the the Reserve Fleet.

One of them did get some shooting time with the main guns in 1991, target: Iraqi Republican Guard.
They usually serve as a tomahawk platform.