NAVYPEDIA

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Belleisle

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Belleisle (ex-Peyk-i-Sheref)			Samuda, Poplar	1874	12.2.1876	19.7.1878	target 1900
Orion (ex-Büruc-i-Zaffer)			Samuda, Poplar	1875	23.1.1879	3.7.1882	depot ship 1902

Technical data

Displacement normal, t	4870
Displacement full, t
Length, m	74.7 pp
Breadth, m	15.9
Draught, m	6.40
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 2-cyl HSE direct-action, 4 boilers
Power, h. p.	4040
Max speed, kts	13
Fuel, t	coal 510
Endurance, nm(kts)	1824(10)
Armour, mm	iron; belt: 305 - 152 with 406 - 254mm wood backing, battery: 267 - 203, bulkheads: 229 - 127, deck: 76 - 51, CT: 229
Armament	4 x 1 - 305/14 RML Mk I, 4 x 1 - 100/21 20pdr 16cwt (saluting) BL, 2 - 356 TC
Complement	250

Graphics

Project history

Armoured rams designed by Ahmet Pasha for Ottoman Navy and purchased by Admiralty 13.2.1878, during the Russian war scare. Ships were intended for service in the Eastern Mediterranean, but with their limited endurance and seagoing qualities were of little use un the RN. Belleisle was originally classified as armoured ram, and Orion as armoured corvette, later both were reclassified as 2nd class battleships and eventually as coast defence ships. The two-storey central battery had an upper section containing 305mm gun at each corner, and lower section containing coal bunkers at the sides and ready use ammunition lobby amidships. Unlike earlier central battery ships the magazines were amidships between the engine and the boiler rooms, greatly simplifying ammunition supply.

Rams were regarded as handy ships, but they rolled heavily and were very wet in rough weather. Belleisle was completed with a short funnel and square rig on the foremast, Orion was completed with raised funnel and without the rig.

Ship protection

The belt was 3.05m deep and 305mm amidships, 178mm forward and 152mm aft. The ram consisted of 8t of solid forging projecting 3.05m from the bow and was supported by the side armour. Upper section of battery had 267mm sides and 243mm corners, lower section had 229mm sides and 203mm corners.

Modernizations

1879, Belleisle: funnel was raised by 4.9m

1880, Belleisle: square rig on foremast was removed

mid-1880s, both: torpedo net defence was added; + 6 x 1 - 47/40 Hotchkiss QF Mk I

Naval service

Belleisle was used as target in 1900-1903 and wrecked as such 4.9.1903. Orion became torpedo boat depot ship at Malta in 1902, renamed Orontes in December 1909 and sold to BU 19.6.1913.