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Formidable Class. Although generally similar in appearance to the Canopus class they can be distinguished from them by the wider spacing of the funnels and by the forward funnel being closer to the foremast. The class had a modified hull form that made them more manoeuvrable than the Majestic class although sea keeping qualities were not quite as good. |
HMS Formidable
Built Portsmouth Dockyard, laid down March 1898, completed September 1901, cost £1,097,245.
HMS Irresistible
Built Chatham Dockyard, laid down April 1898, completed February 1902, cost £1,122,636.
HMS Implacable
Built Devonport Dockyard, laid down July 1898, completed September 1901, cost £1,063,616.
Size:
Length 411 feet waterline 431 feet 9 inches overall, beam 75 feet, draught 26 feet 9 inches, displacement 14,658
load 15,805 tons deep.
Propulsion:
2 shaft Triple Expansion, 15,500 ihp, 18 knots
Trials:
Formidable 15,511 ihp = 18.13 knots
Irresistible 15,603 ihp = 18.2 knots
Implacable 15,262 ihp = 18.22 knots
Armour:
9in belt, 12in barbettes, 10in gun houses, 3-1in decks
Armament:
4 x 12in 40 cal BL (2 x 2), 12 x 6in QF (12 x 1), 16 x 12pounder QF (16 x 1), 6 x 3pounder (6 x 1), 4 x 18in TT
Comments:
Designed as improved Majestic class incorporating the advances from the Canopus class (Krupp armour, water tube
boilers) but using the increased displacement to introduce a more powerful version of the 12 inch gun and to increase
protection both in thickness and coverage. Crew 711.
World War 1 Service:
Formidable
5th Battle Squadron Channel Fleet.
August 1914 covered the transportation of the BEF.
25 August 1914 took part in transport of Portsmouth Marine battalion to Ostend.
1 January 1915 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U24 in the Channel.
Irresistible
5th Battle Squadron Channel Fleet.
25 August 1914 took part in transport of Portsmouth Marine battalion to Ostend.
October-November 1914 attached to the Dover Patrol for attacks on the Belgian coast.
February 1915 sent to the Dardanelles.
18 February 1915 attack on forts.
Took part in other bombardment s and support of landings.
18 March 1915 during attack on the narrows forts hit a mine and sank.
Implacable
5th Battle Squadron Channel Fleet.
Late October 1914 attached to the Dover Patrol for bombardment of the Belgian coast.
March 1915 transferred to the Dardanelles.
25 April 1915 supported landings at Helles.
22 May 1915 detached to the Adriatic to support the Italian Navy.
November 1915 3rd Detached Squadron at Salomika supporting the blockade of Greece.
November 1915-April 1916 Suez Canal Patrol.
April 1966 refit at Plymouth.
June 1917 present at Athens for the abdication of the King.
March 1917 paid off so crew could be used for anti-submarine ships.
March 1918 depot ship.
1921 sold for scrapping.
| HMS Irresistible was one of several British and French old battleships sunk in the failed Dardanelles campaign. After striking a mine attempts were made to tow the ship out of the straights but enemy fire, the ship listing too heavily and the ship sent to tow her (HMS Ocean) running aground forced the attempt to be called off. |
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