Dates: 1944 - 1960
HMS Vanguard was a "Fully Armoured Battlecruiser" of the Royal Navy. She was the biggest and last battleship to be built for the Royal Navy.
At the outbreak of World War II the Admiralty decided to concentrate the limited shipbuilding resources on vessels that could come into service quickly rather than larger or more powerful ships that might be completed too late to serve in the conflict. Since it would take too much time and demand too many resources to build the 12 triple 16-inch turrets needed for the four Lion class battleships, these four ships were cancelled.
An alternate plan was suggested in 1940 that would use four spare twin 15 inch mountings originally used by HM ships Courageous and Glorious during World War I. These four turrets—enough to arm a new battleship—were removed during the conversions of Courageous and Glorious to aircraft carriers in the late 1920s and had since been kept in store. It was suggested that the turrets and mountings from the two battlecruisers be utilized in a modified Lion design for speedy construction, thus giving rise to the nickname "battleship with her great aunt’s teeth".
The Admiralty ordered a design for a 40,000-ton battleship utilizing these weapons, intended to be the core of a Far East Fleet, where her high speed and armament would be a match for Japanese warships. Vanguard was laid down in 1941, by John Brown and Company, Clydebank, Scotland, and her hull was launched in November 1944; in anticipation of Operation Downfall, the expected invasion of Japan, however as a result of Japan’s surrender, the ship was not commissioned until 1946.
It is interesting to note that whilst the 15-inch mounts were reportedly from Courageous and Glorious, the actual guns were from a pool of guns that had been used on several ships including Queen Elizabeth, Royal Sovereign and others. One single gun had been on either Courageous or Glorious but came to Vanguard via HMS Warspite. Two of the mounts themselves had been intended for Renown and Repulse before going to Courageous and Glorious.
She performed various duties as flagship, training ship, and even as a "Royal Yacht", when, in 1947, she took the royal family of George VI to South Africa. This was the first time his daughter Elizabeth II, then a princess, ever left Britain . The ship took 17 days to reach South Africa.
At the end of 1954 Vanguard sailed to HMNB Devonport, for a refit. On completion in 1955, she was placed in reserve, not returning to the Home Fleet. In 1956 Vanguard became flagship of the Royal Navy Reserve Fleet. While moored in Fareham Creek, during her time in the reserve fleet, scenes for the film "Sink the Bismarck" were filmed aboard. During this time there was some controversy over the ship’s future. It was announced in October 1959 that the Vanguard would be scrapped in 1960. Efforts to turn her into a museum were unsuccessful.
On 4 August 1960, when she was to be towed from Portsmouth to the breakers yard at Faslane, Scotland, the whole of the Southsea sea front was packed with people to see her off. As she was being towed towards the harbour entrance, she slewed across the harbour to the Still & West public house and went aground. She was eventually pulled off by tugs and finally made her exit from Portsmouth. Five days later she arrived at Faslane and by the spring of 1962 Vanguard ceased to exist.
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Vanguard
" How I wish the "mejia" would learn the difference between warships and battleships , I’ve seen Belfast described as a battlecruiser ! Just to remind our readers a battleship ,my first ship,Vanguard. [HMS Vanguard 1950 (400 x 255).jpg]"
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" After reading somof the postings on here I thought this little gem might interest you old sea dogs Historians and ship buffs debate which of the world’s battleships were the most powerful, using such factors as battle history, gun size, and armor. The Iowa class usually rank highly, ..."
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"Hi Sheila, you want to thank your lucky stars that you were’nt in the previous Vanguard to ours,on the 9th July 1917, HMS Vanguard 4th BS Grand Fleet was destroyed by a magazine explosion at Scapa Flow with a loss of 804 men. I think our Vanguard was a lot safer. Just realised this is the 90th anniversary of that tragic loss. "
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" Glad to see you back Dougie . We are having floods all over the country at the moment, the best I can offer you ,is my sevices as an Evap. watch keeper, I do have an Auxiliary Watchkeepers Certificate, awarded 1950 HMS Vanguard. "
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" Quoting: sheila ormiston That’s a funny looking ship Bob, what was it used for ? When I was in Drake Pay Office the Vanguard was tied up along side. Never thought of photographs at that time. Sheila. you said that hms vanguard tied up and you didnt have your camera with you . if you go ..."
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