HMS Nelson was the name ship of her class of two battleships built for the Royal Navy in the 1920s. They were the first battleships built to meet the limitations of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. Entering service in 1927, the ship spent her peacetime career with the Atlantic and Home Fleets, usually as the fleet flagship. During the early stages of World War II, she searched for German commerce raiders, missed participating in the Norwegian Campaign after she was badly damaged by a mine in late 1939, and escorted convoys in the Atlantic Ocean.
In mid-1941 Nelson escorted several convoys to Malta before being torpedoed in September. After repairs she resumed doing so before supporting the British invasion of French Algeria during Operation Torch in late 1942. The ship covered the invasions of Sicily (Operation Husky) and Italy (Operation Avalanche) in mid-1943 while bombarding coastal defences during Operation Baytown. During the Normandy landings in June 1944, Nelson provided naval gunfire support before she struck a mine and spent the rest of the year under repair. The ship was transferred to the Eastern Fleet in mid-1945 and returned home a few months after the Japanese surrender in September to serve as the flagship of the Home Fleet. She became a training ship in early 1946 and was reduced to reserve in late 1947. Nelson was scrapped two years later after being used as a target for bomb tests.
HMS NelsonHMS Nelson being launched 3rd of September 1925HMS Nelson in the Panama Canal February 23, 1931HMS Nelson passing through the Panama Canal, 23 February 1931HMS Nelson in 1933HMS Nelson 1933HMS Nelson in Trondheim, Norway, 1933HMS Nelson in 1933HMS Nelson off Spithead for the 1937 Fleet Review. Anchored in the background are two Queen Elizabeth Class battleships and two cruisers of the London Class.HMS Nelson at anchor off Bangor, Northern IrelandHMS NelsonHMS NelsonHMS Nelson seen in the 1930sHMS Nelson seen departing Portsmouth, England in the 1930sHMS Nelson seen at Portsmouth, England in the mid 1930sHMS NelsonHMS Nelson
World War Two
HMS Nelson 1939HMS Nelson 1940HMS Nelson, 28 June 1941HMS Nelson early 1942HMS Nelson early 1942HMS Nelson at sea 7 May 1942 during gunnery trials after repair.HMS Nelson at sea during gunnery trials after repair.HMS Nelson working up after a refitHMS Nelson at sea 7 May 1942 during gunnery trials after repair.HMS Nelson Indian Ocean June 1942HMS Nelson September 1942HMS Nelson anchored off Mers-el-Kebir. Nov 42HMS Nelson April 1943HMS Nelson Algiers May 1943HMS Nelson January 1945HMS Nelson January 1945HMS Nelson 1945HMS Nelson 1945HMS NelsonHMS NelsonHMS NelsonHMS NelsonHMS NelsonHMS Nelson firing her 6″ gunsHMS NelsonHMS NelsonHMS Nelson seen in her Pacific camouflage
External Detail
HMS Nelson’s main armament July 1941September 1941. A Savoia Marchetti SM.84 successfully torpedoes HMS NelsonGallery of officers and men of HMS NELSON watching the Japanese liaison officers’ boat coming alongside on 28 August 1945 for the Penang surrenderScene on board the HMS Nelson with Japanese officers for the Penang surrender 29 August 1945.Scene on board the HMS Nelson as the Japanese officers left the battleship on 29 August 1945.
Main Armament
Ammunitioning ship, 16″ shells being struck down on board HMS Nelson. These shells weigh more than a ton each July 1941The 16″ guns of HMS Nelson 1940Looking forward from the bridge of HMS Nelson. On top of the 16′ turrets can be seen the UPs 1940
Secondary Armament
6″ gun of HMS Nelson firing 1940Admiral J C Tovey, CB, DSO, new C in C Home Fleet on the quarterdeck of HMS Nelson with a 6″ turret in the rearAdmiral J C Tovey, CB, DSO, (left) with his Chief of Staff, Commodore Brind, on the quarterdeck of HMS NelsonMidships area of HMS Nelson showing the 6″ turrets April 1929
Ammunition
Two 16″ shells on their way from the shell bins to the tubes. A grab comes down and lifts the shell on to a tray, then to tubeA 16″ shell just about to enter the tube on its way up to the gun on board HMS NelsonIn one of the 16″ shell rooms of HMS Nelson. Here there are 100 16′ shells each weighing a ton
Anti-Aircraft Guns
Canadian midshipmen at one of the octuple 40mm Bofors anti aircraft guns on HMS NelsonHMS Nelson 4.7 inch Anti-Aircraft guns
Torpedo Damage
HMS Nelson damaged torpedoes after being hit by a torpedo from Italian aircraft September 1941HMS Nelson damaged torpedoes after being hit by a torpedo from Italian aircraft September 1941HMS Nelson damaged torpedoes after being hit by a torpedo from Italian aircraft
Post War
HMS Nelson in August 1946HMS Nelson in 1947
Scrapping
HMS Nelson passes under the Forth Bridge en-route to scrapyard at Inverkeithing, Scotland, 16 March 1949Rodney(Front), Nelson and Revenge at the breakers yardHulks of the former HMS Revenge, HMS Rodney, and HMS Nelson being scrapped
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