HMS Erebus (I02)

HMS Erebus in 1944
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Erebus
Operator Royal Navy
BuilderHarland & Wolff, Govan
Yard number492
Laid down12 October 1915
Launched19 June 1916
Completed2 September 1916
Commissioned2 September 1916
RefitAugust 1939
FateScrapped July 1946
General characteristics
Class and typeErebus-class monitor
Displacement7,200 long tons (7,300 t)
Length405 ft (123.4 m)
Beam88 ft (26.8 m)
Draught11 ft 8 in (3.56 m)
Installed power6,000 ihp (4,500 kW)
Propulsion
  • 2 × Reciprocating engines
  • 2 screws
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement226
Armament
Armour

HMS Erebus was a First World War monitor launched on 19 June 1916 and which served in both world wars. She and her sister ship Terror are known as the Erebus class. They were named after the two bomb vessels sent to investigate the Northwest Passage as part of Franklin's lost expedition (1845–1848), in which all 129 members eventually perished.

Monitors were designed as stable gun platforms with a shallow draught to allow operations close inshore in support of land operations, and were not intended to contest naval battles. Erebus was equipped with two 15 in (381 mm)/42 guns in a single forward turret mounted on a tall barbette to extend the range of fire to 40,000 yd (22.7 mi; 36.6 km).

The Erebus class were designed to outrange German heavy shore batteries and they were also fitted with highly effective anti-torpedo bulges on each side of the hull.