Swedish Navy Coastal Defence Ship HSwMS Svea
HSwMS Svea was a Swedish coastal defence ship launched in 1886 and commissioned in 1887. She was the lead unit of the Svea class and marked the emergence of a distinct Swedish approach to armoured warship design, centred on the defence of national waters rather than participation in oceanic fleet operations.
Svea was built at Lindholmens Mekaniska Verkstad in Gothenburg. She displaced approximately 3,000 tons and measured about 75 metres in length. Propulsion was provided by compound steam engines driving twin screws, giving a maximum speed of 15 knots. Her radius of action and seaworthiness were adequate for Baltic service but limited in comparison with contemporary seagoing battleships.
The ship was protected by a substantial waterline armour belt, armoured gun turrets, and a reinforced conning tower. The armour scheme reflected her intended employment in confined waters, where engagements were expected to occur at moderate range against hostile surface forces attempting to penetrate Swedish coastal defences.
As completed, Svea carried two 25.4 cm guns mounted in a forward turret. Her secondary battery consisted of medium calibre quick firing guns and smaller weapons for defence against torpedo craft.
In the early twentieth century, the ship underwent significant modification. The original heavy guns were removed, and were replaced by a single 210 mm gun mounted forward. Improvements in artillery and ammunition provided the same hitting power as the original guns, while increasing range. The main gun was supplemented by seven 6-in (15.2 cm) m/1898 guns placed in single mounts, three on either side and one on the aft deck.
Svea was later converted into a submarine tender, supporting the expanding Swedish submarine force with maintenance and logistical facilities. She remained in service in this auxiliary capacity until 1941.
| Displacement | 75.7 m (248 ft 4 in) (w.l.) |
|---|---|
| Length | 75.7 m (248 ft 4 in) (w.l.) |
| Beam | 14.84 m (48 ft 8 in) |
| Draught | 5.18 m (17 ft 0 in) (max) |
| Installed power | 6 marine boilers3,100 ihp (2,300 kW) |
| Propulsion | 2 × marine steam engines2 × screws |
| Speed | 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) |
| Range | 800 nmi (1,500 km; 920 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
| Complement | 252 |
| Armament | 2 × single 254 mm (10 in) guns 4 × single152 mm (6.0 in) guns 2 × single 38 mm (1.5 in) guns 4 × single 25 mm (1.0 in) guns 1 × single 381 mm (15 in) torpedo tube |
| Armour | Belt: 147–297 mm (5.8–11.7 in) Turrets: 246–297 mm (9.7–11.7 in) Deck: 49 mm (2 in) |
References
Chesneau, Roger, and Eugene M. Kolesnik, eds. Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1860–1905. London: Conway Maritime Press, 1979.
Gardiner, Robert, ed. Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press, 1985.
Glete, Jan. Swedish Naval Administration, 1521–1721: Resource Flows and Organisational Capabilities. Leiden: Brill, 2010.
Hore, Peter. Battleships of the World. London: Southwater, 2005.
Friedman, Norman. Naval Weapons of World War One. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing, 2011.