HMS Vanguard (BB-1940)

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HMS Vanguard was ridiculed for one reason only - "she was armed with her Grandmothers teeth". First, and ended up only, 45,000 ton battleship the Vanguard was an excellent ship despite the armament issue. But the armament was just fine, it was as good as the French, Italian and German ships of the time. In various exercises post-war with the American fleet, Vanguard proved its shiphandling and staying power when it outsailed USN Iowa class battleships in stormy weather.

With the offset barbette, to increase elevation, turret rework and the superfiring 15" shell, the Vanguard could fire her 15" guns out past 36,000 yards. Above: Vanguard as completed.

My version of HMS Vanguard is based on the premise that the various treaty’s expire in 1930 with the US, UK, France and Italy being bound by the 35,000 ton and 16" gun limit for new construction. The failure of the Japanese to adhere to these limits meant that all limits were removed in 1933 and the race was on. Since all countries had laid down 35,000 ton ships in 1932/33 these ships were proceeded with as to scrap them and redesign to a new size would have meant that that countries construction programme would have been 2-3 years behind everybody elses. Such improvements as could be fitted into the original designs were made.

The British had laid down 2 King George class (9x15") in 1932 and another pair in 1933. This was to be added to with another pair in 1935. The 1935 ships were cancelled and replaced with a 45,000 ton fast battleship. To aid construction of this ship the guns of the Courageous and Glorious (since converted to Aircraft Carriers) were proposed for the main armament giving the new ship 8x15". This meant that construction of the ship could be completed in 31/2 years instead of the usual 5 years. HMS Vanguard would be completed somewhere between the 1st and 2nd pair of King George’s.

The same hull and propulsion as used in Vanguard would be also used for the next Lion class battleships but these ships would be armed with 9x16" with the appropriate design changes made for the difference between 4 twin and 3 triple turret layouts. Below: 16" version.

Building the Vanguard so that it is completed about 1938-39 gives the interesting premise that with the Vanguards seakeeping qualities it is liable to be being used from Scapa Flow as cover for the Denmark Srait and Faroes gap areas and is likely to run into Germanic States raiders trying to break out into the Atlantic. Vanguard -v- Bismarck?? now that would be an interesting match up.

The 16" Vanguard was ressurected in 1943 when the Japanese were converting battleships to hybrid battle-carriers. Unfortunately, unlike the Americans who converted two ships to battle-carriers (See Hawaii and Kentucky on Other Countries page) the British did not have any ships building to convert. The ships would have had to be built from scratch and the government would not pass the funds for that.

Icelandic patrol operating from Scapa Flow during the war.

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