PCS Polithstovia (BB-1909 (1935-reconfigured))

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The Bellerophon class were copies of the original 'Dreadnought'. This was done to take advantage of the lead the Dreadnought had given the British Navy over all others. The major difference between the two classes was in the placement of the tripod mast(s). The Dreadnought only had one mast set behind the forefunnel which meant that the spotting top would fill with smoke during high speed runs and be unable to fulfill its job of giving range details for fall of shot. To combat this the Bellerophons fitted their tripod masts in front of each funnel which cleared the smoke problem.

In 1919 the new entity to be called Polithstovia was created and to aid its military build up the British Commonwealth agreed to transfer several ships that were to be discarded to the Polithstovian Navy. Almost a year later to the day the ex-HMS Temeraire arrived at Gdynia and in a moving ceremony was re-christened PCS Polithstovia to help with national pride. The battleship was only eleven years old at this time and while it was obsolete compared to the latest ships completed (eg HMS Hood) it was still a major unit for a country such as Polithstovia. For the next 5 years the PCS Polithstovia showed the flag up and down the coast of the country visiting every port that the ship was able to berth in and holding "Navy Days" in each place. The ship carried its duties as fleet flagship for 25 years till in 1935 the ship was taken in hand for conversion to a training ship.

The conversion removed four of the twin 12" turrets and barbettes which were to be used to create a new capital ship. Y turret was replaced with a twin 6" of the type fitted to both cruiser types built for Polithstovia. Two pairs of twin 4" replaced the wing turrets, while X turret was replaced with a new accomodation deck for trainees. Heavy and light AA were fitted where possible. The aft tripod was retained and many new recruits were sent up the 'mast' as punishment. A new bridge superstructure, based on the new light cruisers, was fitted with a modern main gun director and a modern AA director. Space for this structure meant the removal of the fore funnel and old bridge and also the fore boiler room was removed and converted to extra accomodation. The new fittings gave equipment that was in use in all classes of ship in the Polithstovian Navy and meant that trainees finishing their training could be drafted to any vessel in the Navy.

HMS Temeraire in Royal Navy service during WW1 prior to transfer to the Polithstovian Navy.

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