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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
UNITED KINGDOM
SUPERB central battery ironclad (1, 1880)
Photo
Superb after modernization
Ships
Name |
No |
Yard No | Builder |
Laid down |
Launched |
Comp |
Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superb (ex-Hamidieh) | Thames Iron Wks, Blackwall | 1873 | 16.11.1875 | 15.11.1880 | harbour service 1904 |
Technical data
| Displacement normal, t | 9710 |
|---|---|
| Displacement full, t | |
| Length, m | 101.3 pp |
| Breadth, m | 18.0 |
| Draught, m | 7.77 |
| No of shafts | 1 |
| Machinery | sails + 1 2-cyl HSE direct-action, 9 rectangular boilers |
| Power, h. p. | 6580 |
| Max speed, kts | 13.2 |
| Fuel, t | coal 970 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 1810(10) |
| Armour, mm | iron; belt: 305 - 178 with 305 - 203mm wood backing, battery: 305, bulkheads: 254, deck: 38, CT: 203 |
| Armament | 16 x 1 - 254/15 MLR Mk I/II, 4 - 356 TC |
| Complement | 654 |
Graphics
Superb after modernization
Project history
Designed by Reed for Turkey, Superb was completed in 1877 but detained and purchased on 20.2.1878 during the Russian war scare, being modified to Admiralty requirements and commissioned by RN in 1880. She was enlarged Hercules with a heavier armament and armour than any other British broadside ironclad.
Battery contained 4 guns on each broadside and one gun in each corner firing through embrasures in the ship's sides. The remaining guns were at the fwd and aft ends of the upper deck. Ship was barque-rigged but almost impossible to handle under sail, although in contrast she was very handy under steam.
Ship protection
The belt was 305mm amidships tapering to 178mm at lower edge reducing to 254/152mm fwd and 254/102mm aft. The battery on the main deck was 33.9m long with 305mm sides and 254mm bulkheads. CTs were positioned on the upper deck at fore and aft ends of the battery.
Modernizations
early 1880s: + 6 x 1 - 102/27 BL Mk II/III/IV/V/VI
(1887-1891): re-engined and re-boilered (1 HTE, 5 cylindrical boilers, 8500hp, 14.5kts), new funnels were fitted, the rig was reduced to the lower masts with light topmasts and fighting tops on fore and mizzen masts, torpedo net defence was fitted; - 4 x 1 - 254/15, 6 x 1 - 102/27; + 10 x 1 - 152/40 QF Mk I/II, 6 x 1 - 57/40 Hotchkiss QF Mk I, 10 x 1 - 47/40 Hotchkiss QF Mk I
Naval service
Superb was relegated to harbour service in 1904 and sold for BU 15.5.1906.
