For the first time battleships appeared in the XVII century. For a while they lost the palm to low-speed battleships. But at the beginning of the 20th century, battleships became the main strength of the fleet. The speed and range of artillery guns became the main advantages in naval battles. Countries concerned about the increasing power of the navy, from the 1930s of the 20th century began to actively build heavy-duty battleships designed to enhance superiority at sea. The construction of incredibly expensive ships could not afford all. The biggest battleships in the world - in this article we will talk about super-powerful giant ships.
10. Richelieu | Length 247.9 m
Opens the rating of the largest battleships in the world the French giant "Richelieu"With a length of 247.9 meters and a displacement of 47 thousand tons. The ship is named after the famous statesman of France Cardinal Richelieu. A battleship was built to counter the Italian navy. The battleship Richelieu did not conduct active combat operations, except for participation in the Senegalese operation in 1940. In 1968, the super ship was sent to scrap. One of his guns was installed in the port of Brest as a monument.
9. Bismarck | Length 251 m
The legendary German ship "Bismarck»Takes 9th place among the largest battleships in the world. The length of the vessel is 251 meters, displacement - 51 thousand tons. Bismarck left the shipyard in 1939. When it was launched, the Fuhrer of Germany, Adolf Hitler, was present. One of the most famous ships of World War II was sunk in May 1941 after lengthy battles by British ships and torpedo bombers in revenge for the destruction of the English flagship, the cruiser Hood, by the German battleship.
8. Tirpitz | Ship 253.6 m
On the 8th place in the list of the largest battleships is German "Tirpitz". The length of the vessel was 253.6 meters, displacement - 53 thousand tons. After the death of the "elder brother", "Bismarck", the second of the most powerful German battleships almost failed to participate in naval battles. Launched in 1939, the Tirpitz was destroyed in 1944 as a result of a torpedo bombers attack.
7. Yamato | Length 263 m
«Yamato»- one of the largest battleships in the world and the largest warship in history ever sunk in a naval battle.
“Yamato” (the name of the ship means the ancient name of the Land of the Rising Sun) was the pride of the Japanese Navy, although due to the fact that the huge ship was protected, the attitude of ordinary sailors to it was ambiguous.
Yamato entered service in 1941. The length of the battleship was 263 meters, displacement - 72 thousand tons. The crew is 2500 people. Until October 1944, Japan's largest ship practically did not participate in battles. In the Leyte Gulf, Yamato first opened fire on American ships. As it turned out later, not one of the main calibers hit the target.
Japan's Last Pride Campaign
On April 6, 1945, the Yamato went on its last expedition. American troops landed on Okinawa, and the remnants of the Japanese fleet were assigned the task of destroying enemy forces and supply ships. The Yamato and the rest of the compound ships were attacked by 227 American deck ships for two hours. Japan's largest battleship failed, receiving about 23 hits from air bombs and torpedoes. As a result of the explosion of the bow compartment, the ship sank. 269 people survived from the crew, 3 thousand sailors died.
6. Musashi | Length 263 m
The largest battleship in the world is "Musashi»With a hull length of 263 meters and a displacement of 72 thousand tons. This is the second gigantic battleship built by Japan during the Second World War. The ship entered service in 1942. The fate of Musashi turned out to be tragic. The first campaign ended with a hole in the bow received as a result of a torpedo attack by an American submarine. In October 1944, Japan's two largest battleships finally entered into a serious battle. In the Sibuyan Sea, they were attacked by American aircraft. By chance, the main blow of the enemy was inflicted on Musashi. The ship sank after hitting about 30 torpedoes and air bombs. Together with the ship, his captain and more than a thousand crew members perished.
On March 4, 2015, 70 years after flooding, the wreck of Musashi was discovered by American millionaire Paul Allen. It is located in the Sibuyan Sea at a depth of one and a half kilometers. Musashi ranks 6th on the list of the largest battleships in the world.
5. The Soviet Union | Length 269 m
Incredibly, not a single super linkor was built by the Soviet Union. In 1938 the ship of the line was laid "Soviet Union". The length of the ship was to be 269 meters, and displacement - 65 thousand tons. By the beginning of World War II, the battleship was built at 19%. It was not possible to finish the ship, which could become one of the largest battleships in the world.
4. Wisconsin | Length 270 m
American battleship "Wisconsin»Located on the 4th place in the ranking of the largest battleships in the world. It had a length of 270 meters, a displacement of 55 thousand tons. It went into operation in 1944. During the Second World War, accompanied aircraft carrier groups and supported landing operations. It was involved during the Gulf War. Wisconsin is one of the last battleships in the US Navy reserve. It was decommissioned in 2006. The ship is currently docked in Norfolk.
3. Iowa | Length 270 m
American battleship "Iowa»With a length of 270 meters and a displacement of 58 thousand tons, it ranks 3rd in the ranking of the largest battleships in the world. The ship went into operation in 1943. During the Second World War, Iowa actively participated in military operations. In 2012, the battleship was withdrawn from the fleet. Now the ship is in the port of Los Angeles as a museum.
2. New Jersey | Length 270.53 m
Second place in the ranking of the largest battleships in the world is the American ship "New Jersey", Or" Black Dragon. " Its length is 270.53 meters. Refers to battleships of the "Iowa" type. He left the shipyard in 1942. New Jersey is a true veteran of naval battles and the only ship to take part in the Vietnam War. Here he played the role of supporting the army. After 21 years of service, he was withdrawn from the fleet in 1991 and received museum status. Now the ship is parked in Camden.
1. Missouri | Length 271 m
American battleship "Missouri»Tops the list of the largest battleships in the world. It is interesting not only for its impressive size (the ship is 271 meters long), but also because it is the last American battleship. In addition, the "Missouri" went down in history due to the fact that the surrender of Japan was signed on board in September 1945.
A super ship launched in 1944. His main task was to accompany Pacific carrier formations. He participated in the Gulf War, where he last opened fire. In 1992, he was withdrawn from the US Navy. Since 1998, Missouri has the status of a museum ship. The legendary ship's berth is located at Pearl Harbor. Being one of the most famous warships in the world, it has been shown more than once in documentaries and feature films.
High-powered ships had high hopes. Characteristically, they never justified themselves. Here is an example of the largest battleships ever built by man - the Japanese battleships "Musashi" and "Yamato". Both of them were defeated by the attack of American bombers, and did not have time to shoot at enemy ships from their main calibers. However, if they converged in battle, the advantage would still be on the side of the American fleet, equipped at that time with ten battleships against two Japanese giants.