HMS Vanguard data

HMS Vanguard was the last of the great Royal navy battleships, built at Clydebank, she was launched on the 30th November 1944, and did not see service during world War Two, She was the biggest British battleship with a displacement of 42.500 tons. she carried eight 15-inch guns (Guns and Turrets originally from HMS Courageous and HMS Glorious) and a secondary armament of 16 x 5.25 inch guns and 71 AA Guns, her compliment was 1600. HMS Vanguard was refitted in 1947 - 1948 and went to the Mediterranean in 1949 for six months. On her return she became a training ship at Portland and then Home Fleet Flagship during exercise before refit at Devonport, becoming the Flagship of the reserve fleet. She finally was scrapped just 15 miles from where she was built at Faslane, 9th August 1960.

HMS Vanguard (the eighth Vanguard) Built by Vickers at barrow and launched in April 1909 and joined the Royal Navy at Devonport in October 1910. she saw all her service in the Home Fleet. Part of the St Vincent Class of Battleship a further improvement on the HMS Dreadnaught. Powered by Turbine Engines. At the outbreak of war she formed part of the 1st battle squadron at Scapa Flow. HMS Vanguard took part in the Battle of Jutland. as part of the 4th Battle Squadron. She took part in the action from beginning to the end and did not suffer any damage or casualties. But her service was cut short when she blew up at Scapa Flow on the 9th July 1917. (about 10 pm) it is thought due to spontaneous ignition of her Cordite. From her crew of 823 , 804 were killed.

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