HMS Superb (1907)

Superb at anchor, shortly after completion in 1909
History
United Kingdom
NameSuperb
Ordered26 December 1906
BuilderArmstrong Whitworth, Elswick
Laid down6 February 1907
Launched7 November 1907
Commissioned29 May 1909
Decommissioned26 March 1920
Out of serviceMay 1922
FateSold for scrap, December 1922
General characteristics (as built)
Class and typeBellerophon-class dreadnought battleship
Displacement18,596 long tons (18,894 t) (normal)
Length526 ft (160.3 m) (o/a)
Beam82 ft 6 in (25.1 m)
Draught27 ft (8.2 m)
Installed power
Propulsion4 × shafts; 2 × steam turbine sets
Speed21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph)
Range5,720 nmi (10,590 km; 6,580 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Complement840
Armament
Armour
  • Belt: 8–10 in (203–254 mm)
  • Deck: 0.75–4 in (19–102 mm)
  • Turrets: 11 in (279 mm)
  • Barbettes: 5–10 in (127–254 mm)

HMS Superb was one of three Bellerophon-class dreadnought battleships built for the Royal Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. She spent almost her whole career assigned to the Home and Grand Fleets. Aside from participating in the Battle of Jutland in May 1916 and the inconclusive action of 19 August, her service during the First World War generally consisted of routine patrols and training in the North Sea.

Superb was transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet in October 1918 and became its flagship. She supported Allied forces in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea after the war ended in November. The ship was deemed obsolete and was reduced to reserve when she returned home in early 1919 and was then used as a training ship. Superb was used for gunnery experiments in 1920 and then became a target ship in 1922. The ship was sold for scrap late that year and broken up in 1923.