2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41
Even in the distant 17th century, the first battleships appeared. For a certain time, they were significantly inferior in technical terms and armament to slow-moving armadillos. But already in the 20th century, countries wishing to strengthen their fleet began to create battleships that would have no equal in terms of firepower. But not all states could afford to build such a ship. The superships were of enormous value. Consider the world's largest battleship, its features and other important details.
Richelieu and Bismarck
The French ship called "Richelieu" boasts a displacement of 47,000 tons. The length of the vessel is about 247 meters. The main purpose of the ship was to contain the Italian fleet, but this battleship never saw active hostilities. The only exception is the Senegalese operation of 1940. In 1968, the Richelieu, named after the French cardinal, was scrapped. One of the mainguns installed in Brest as a monument.
"Bismarck" - one of the legendary ships of the German fleet. The length of the vessel is 251 meters, and the displacement is 51,000 tons. The battleship was launched in 1938, with Adolf Hitler himself present. In 1941, the ship was sunk by the British Navy, killing many people. But this is far from the largest battleship in the world, so let's move on.
German "Tirpitz" and Japanese "Yamato"
Of course, the Tirpitz is not the largest battleship in the world, but during the war it had outstanding technical characteristics. However, after the destruction of the Bismarck, he did not take an active part in the hostilities. It was launched into the water in 1939, and already in the 44th it was destroyed by torpedo bombers.
But the Japanese "Yamato" - the world's largest battleship, which was sunk as a result of military battles. The Japanese treated this ship very economically, so until the 44th year it did not take part in hostilities, although such an opportunity fell out more than once. It was launched into the water in 1941. The length of the vessel is 263 meters. There were 2,500 crew members on board at all times. In April 1945, as a result of an attack by the American fleet, the battleship Yamato received 23 direct hits by torpedoes. As a result, the bow compartment exploded, and the ship went to the bottom. It is estimated that more than 3,000 people died and only 268 managed to escape as a result of a shipwreck.
Another tragichistory
Japanese battleships had bad luck on the battlefield during World War II. It is difficult to name the exact reason. Whether it was in the technical part or the command was to blame for everything, this will remain a mystery. Nevertheless, after Yamato, another giant was built - Musashi. It was 263 meters long with a displacement of 72,000 tons. First launched in 1942. But this ship also faced the tragic fate of its predecessor. The first naval battle was, one might say, successful. After the attack by the American submarine "Musashi" received a serious hole in the bow, but safely left the battlefield. But after some time in the Sibuyan Sea, the ship was attacked by American aircraft. The main blow fell on this battleship.
As a result of 30 direct hits by bombs, the ship sank. Then more than 1,000 crew members and the captain of the ship died. In 2015, Musashi was discovered by an American millionaire at a depth of 1.5 kilometers.
Who held dominance in the ocean?
Here you can definitely say - America. The fact is that the largest battleship in the world was built there. Moreover, during the war, the United States had more than 10 combat-ready superships, while Germany had about 5. The USSR did not have any at all. Although today it is known about the project called "Soviet Union". It was developed during the war, and the ship was already 20% built, but no more.
The world's largest battleship of war, which was decommissionedlater than all - "Wisconsin". He went to the parking lot in the port of Norflok in 2006, where he is today as a museum exhibit. This giant was 270 meters long with a displacement of 55,000 tons. During the war, he actively participated in various special operations and accompanied aircraft carrier groups. Last used during the fighting in the Persian Gulf.
Top 3 giants from America
"Iowa" - a linear American ship 270 meters long with a displacement of 58,000 tons. This is one of the most outstanding US ships, even if not the largest ship in the world. The battleship Iowa was first launched in 1943 and took part in many naval battles. It was actively used as an escort for aircraft carriers, and was also used to support ground forces. In 2012, he was sent to Los Angeles, where he is now as a museum.
But almost every American knows about the "black dragon". "New Jersey" was so nicknamed because it terrified by its mere presence on the battlefield. This is the world's largest battleship in history, which took part in the Vietnam War. It was launched in 1943 and was similar in type to the Iowa ship. The length of the vessel was 270.5 meters. This is a real veteran of naval battles, who in 1991 was sent to the port of Camden. There it is now and serves as a tourist attraction.
The world's largest battleship of World War II
The honorable first place is occupied by the ship "Missouri". She was not only the largest representative (271 meters in length), but was also the last American battleship. This ship is known for the most part due to the fact that it was on board that the surrender pact of Japan was signed. But at the same time, Missouri took an active part in the hostilities. It was launched from the shipyard in 1944 and was used to escort aircraft carrier groups and support various special operations. He fired his last shot in the Persian Gulf. Decommissioned from US Navy reserves in 1992 and deported to Pearl Harbor.
This is one of the most famous ships in America and around the world. More than one documentary film has been made about him. By the way, millions of dollars are spent annually in the United States to maintain the working condition of already decommissioned battleships, because this is a historical value.
Hopes failed
Even the world's largest battleship of the war did not justify the hopes placed on it. A vivid example of this is the Japanese giants, which were destroyed by American bombers without having time to respond with their main calibers. All this spoke of low effectiveness against aircraft.
Nevertheless, the firepower of the battleships was simply amazing. For example, 460-mm artillery pieces weighing almost 3 tons each were installed on the Yamato. In total, there were about 9 such guns on board. Indeed, the designersa simultaneous volley was banned, as this would inevitably lead to mechanical damage to the ship.
An important aspect was the protection. Armored plates of various thicknesses protected the most important components and assemblies of the ship and were supposed to provide it with buoyancy in any situation. The main gun had a 630 mm mantlet. Not a single gun in the world would have pierced it, even when firing almost point-blank. But still, this did not save the battleship from destruction.
It was attacked by American stormtroopers for almost the whole day. The total number of aircraft that took part in the special operation reached 150 aircraft. After the first breakdowns in the hull, the situation was not yet critical, when another 5 torpedoes hit, a list of 15 degrees appeared, it was reduced to 5 degrees with the help of anti-flooding. But already at this time there were huge losses of personnel. When the roll reached 60 degrees, a monstrous explosion thundered. These were cellar stocks of the main caliber, approximately 500 tons of explosives. So the world's largest battleship, the photo of which you can see in this article, was sunk.
Summarize
Today, any ship, even the world's largest battleship, is significantly behind from a technical point of view. The guns do not allow effective aimed fire due to insufficient vertical and horizontal aiming angles. The huge mass does not allow you to gain high speed. All this, along with large dimensions, makes battleships easy prey for aviation, especially if there is noair support and destroyer cover.
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