HMS Warspite was a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship of the British Royal Navy. Launched on 26 November 1913, she was commissioned on 8 March 1915. HMS Warspite served in both the First and Second World Wars and was sold for scrapped in 1947.
During the First World War, Warspite took part in the Battle of Jutland, where she sustained 15 hits, with 14 dead and 16 injured.
From 1934 to 1937, Warspite underwent a major re-build, with the installation of new machinery, additional armour and a reconfigured superstructure.
During the Second World War, HMS Warspite was very active. She led the Second Battle of Narvik, where 8 German and two British destroyers were sunk, along with a U-boat. On 9 July 1940, Warspite participated in the Battle of Calabria, obtaining a hit on the Italian battleship Giulio Cesare at a range of 24km, one of the longest hits by a battleship on a moving target.
At the Battle of Cape Matapan, Warspite, along with Valiant and Barham sank the Italian heavy cruisers Pola, Fuime and Zara. During the Battle for Crete, Warspite received severe damage from a 500lb bomb. She was sent to the US for repairs and was out of action from June 1942 until February 1943. Warspite operated in the Indian Ocean until May 1943 when she transferred back to the Mediterranean.
At Salerno, she was hit by two Fritz X guided bombs which tore a 20 foot hole in the bottom of the hull. Although repaired at Rosyth, X-turret and one boiler room could not be repaired. On D-Day, she bombarded Sword, Utah and Gold beaches. On 13 June, she struck a mine and following repairs was limited to 15 knots. The remainder of her career was spent bombarding German positions of the Channel Coast until November 1944.
Decommissioned after the war, she was sold for scrapping in 1947. On her way to be scrapped, she ran into a storm and beached at Prussia Cove. After refloating in 1950, and being moved closer to shore, she was scrapped in situ by 1955.
HMS Warspite during the First World WarHMS Warspite seen at HM Dockyard Devonport in 1915HMS Warspite at Rosyth 1918HMS Warspite 1918 with flying off platforms on X and Y
Damage Suffered at Jutland
HMS Warspite undergoing repairs after JutlandHMS Warspite undergoing repairs after Jutland
Loading Shells
Loading 15″ shells onto HMS Warspite at Colombo 29 May 1942Loading 15″ shells onto HMS Warspite at Colombo 29 May 1942Loading 15″ shells onto HMS Warspite at Colombo 29 May 1942
Inter-war
HMS Warspite October 1920HMS Warspite 1920HMS Warspite Superstructure 1928HMS Warspite July 1931HMS Warspite July 1931HMS Warspite 1934HMS Warspite 1934HMS Warspite 1937HMS Warspite Malta Jan 1938HMS Warspite entering Valletta, Malta during the Spanish Civil WarHMS Warspite seen during the Spanish Civil WarMidships image of HMS Warspite after her reconstruction, July 1937HMS Warspite seen during the Spanish Civil WarHMS WarspiteHMS WarspiteHMS WarspiteHMS Warspite undergoing reconstruction
World War Two
HMS Warspite 1942HMS Warspite 28 June1942 refueling at Port Victoria, SeychellesHMS Illustrious seen ahead of HMS Warspite. 29 May 1942HMS Illustrious seen ahead of HMS Warspite. 29 May 1942HMS Warspite 3 July 1943 oiling the destroyer HMS Raider while travelling from Gibraltar to AlexandriaHMS Warspite 3 July 1943 oiling the destroyer HMS Raider while travelling from Gibraltar to AlexandriaHMS Warspite 17 JULY 1943 during the bombardment of Catania SicilyHMS Warspite 17 JULY 1943 during the bombardment of Catania SicilyHMS Warspite 17 JULY 1943 during the bombardment of Catania SicilyThe forward 15 inch guns of HMS Warspite firing at Reggio on the toe of the Italian mainlandHMS Warspite refueling HMS NestorHMS Warspite in Valetta Harbour Malts September 1943HMS Warspite under tow by four tugs 1943HMS Warspite seen in 1944HMS Warspite off Normandy, France June 1944HMS Warspite off Normandy, France June 1944HMS Warspite seen in the mid 1940’sHMS WarspiteHMS WarspiteHMS WarspiteHMS Warspite and an unidentified monitor seen at Malta
HMS Warspite’s Walrus Aircraft
Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft from HMS Warspite is catapulted at the start of an anti-submarine patrol off the SeychellesSupermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft with HMS Illustrious and HMS Lookout in the backgroundSupermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft taxiing up to HMS WarspiteSupermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft being hoisted on board HMS Warspite
Miscellaneous Photographs of HMS Warspite
HMS WarspiteHMS Warspite below the Forth BridgeHMS WarspiteHMS Warspite while she is at anchor off Bangor, Northern Ireland.
Scrapping
Warspite at Portsmouth, England preparing for scrappingWarspite at Portsmouth, England preparing for scrappingWarspite at Portsmouth, England preparing for scrappingWarspite at Portsmouth, England preparing for scrappingWarspite at Spithead ready for scrappingWarspite grounded at Mount’s Bay on the way to the breakers yardPenlee lifeboat rescuing the towing crew from HMS Warspite aground in Prussia Cove Cornwall 24 Apr 47Whilst the ship was being towed for breaking up the tow cables broke and she ran aground off Prussia Cove, Cornwall on 23 March 1947Whilst the ship was being towed for breaking up the tow cables broke and she ran aground off Prussia Cove, Cornwall on 23 March 1947HMS Warspite aground in Prussia CoveHMS Warspite Being Scrapped
