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HMS Valiant

HMS Valiant was a * built for the Royal Navy during the early , serving as one of five fast battleships designed with oil-fired boilers for enhanced speed and firepower. Laid down by at , , on 31 January 1913, she was launched on 4 November 1914 and commissioned into the Grand Fleet on 19 February 1916, displacing 27,500 long tons standard and armed with eight 15-inch guns in four twin turrets. During the First World War, Valiant joined the Fifth Battle Squadron and participated in the on 31 May 1916, where she fired 288 15-inch shells at German forces without sustaining damage, contributing to the Royal Navy's strategic victory. In the , she operated with the and Mediterranean Fleets, underwent significant modernizations—including a refit from 1929 to 1930 at and another from 1937 to 1939 at Devonport that added improved anti-aircraft armament and —and served in roles such as training and fleet exercises. In the Second World War, Valiant played a pivotal role in multiple theaters, beginning with operations off Norway in April 1940 and then transferring to the Mediterranean Fleet, where she fought at the Battle of Cape Matapan in March 1941, helping to sink three Italian heavy cruisers, and bombarded Tripoli in April 1941. She supported Allied evacuations during the Battle of Crete in May 1941, suffering bomb damage on 22 May, and was severely crippled on 19 December 1941 at Alexandria by Italian human torpedoes that caused her to settle on the harbor bottom. After repairs completed in early 1943, she provided gunfire support for the invasions of Sicily (Operation Husky) and Salerno (Operation Avalanche), before joining the Eastern Fleet in 1944 for strikes against Japanese positions in Indonesia, including Operations Cockpit and Transom. Further damaged in a floating dock collapse at Trincomalee, Ceylon, on 8 August 1944, Valiant was paid off in February 1945, converted into a training ship as HMS Imperieuse in 1946, and ultimately sold for scrap on 19 March 1948, with breaking up completed by March 1950 at Cairn Ryan and Troon.

Design and description

Specifications and propulsion

HMS Valiant, as a member of the Queen Elizabeth-class battleships, featured a design optimized for speed and seaworthiness in fleet operations. The ship measured 643 feet 9 inches (196.2 m) in overall length, with a of 90 feet 7 inches (27.6 m) and a draught of 33 feet 6 inches (10.2 m) at deep load. These dimensions contributed to her maneuverability while accommodating the class's innovative all-big-gun armament layout. Her was 27,500 long tons at normal load and 31,100 long tons at deep load, reflecting the balance between armor, machinery, and fuel storage in early 20th-century design. The propulsion system consisted of four direct-drive Brown-Curtis steam turbines, supplied with steam from 24 boilers operating at 235 . This arrangement drove four propeller shafts, delivering a designed output of 75,000 shaft horsepower to achieve a maximum speed of 24 knots under service conditions. On trials, Valiant exceeded this slightly, demonstrating the efficiency of the geared turbine technology adapted from earlier vessels. The machinery was arranged in two compartments for , enhancing in . Fuel capacity included 3,400 long tons of , enabling an operational range of 5,670 nautical miles at an economical speed of 12 knots. The wartime complement totaled 919 officers and ratings, supporting her role in duties. was ensured by a of approximately 4 feet at normal load, providing responsive handling in moderate to heavy sea states while minimizing excessive rolling through bilge keels; this configuration allowed effective gunnery platforms in rough conditions typical of operations.

Armament

HMS Valiant's comprised eight 15-inch (381 mm) Mk I naval guns mounted in four twin hydraulically powered turrets designated 'A', 'B', 'X', and 'Y', with two turrets positioned forward of the superstructure and two aft. The guns had an elevation range of -5° to +20° and a maximum range of approximately 23,400 yards (21,400 m) at full elevation. They fired 1,938-pound (879 kg) armor-piercing shells at a of 2,449 feet per second (746 m/s) using the standard MD 23.2 charge, achieving a of about two rounds per minute per gun under optimal conditions. The secondary battery included fourteen BL 6-inch (152 mm) Mk XII guns, with twelve mounted in casemates along the upper deck amidships (six per side) and two in single mountings on the superstructure fore and aft of the main turrets. These guns, in P IX casemate mountings, had an elevation of -7° to +14° and a maximum range of 13,500 yards (12,300 m), serving primarily for defense against destroyers and torpedo boats. For anti-aircraft and close-range defense, Valiant was fitted with two QF 3-inch (76 mm) 20 cwt Mk I high-angle guns mounted on the deck, one on each side. Early in her service, four single 2-pounder (40 mm) "" autocannons were added to the superstructure to enhance protection against low-flying and small surface threats. The ship's torpedo armament consisted of four 21-inch (533 mm) submerged tubes, two on each broadside below the waterline, loaded with Mk II* . Fire control for the was provided by a tower atop the foremast equipped with a 9-foot (2.7 m) and open director sights, integrated with the Dreyer Fire Control Table Mark IV for range and bearing calculations. enabled spotting corrections from the turrets and , while the secondary battery initially relied on local control, with directors added in 1917. Ammunition stowage included 880 rounds for the 15-inch guns (110 shells per gun) in magazines below the armored deck, and 150 rounds per 6-inch gun stored in shell rooms adjacent to the casemates. The torpedo tubes carried a total of twenty Mk II* torpedoes, five per tube.

Armour and protection

The armour scheme of HMS Valiant, as a Queen Elizabeth-class , was designed to provide robust against heavy gunfire and underwater threats, reflecting the Royal Navy's emphasis on balanced defensive capabilities in super-dreadnought design. The main belt consisted of 13-inch-thick cemented steel plating positioned over the machinery spaces and magazines for maximum vital area coverage, tapering to 4 inches in thickness below the to maintain structural integrity while saving weight. This belt extended 17 feet above the and 7 feet below it, ensuring comprehensive shielding along the hull's most vulnerable sections amidships. Transverse bulkheads fore and aft provided additional compartmentalization, with thicknesses ranging from 9 to 12 inches to contain potential flooding or blast effects from shell hits or strikes. Deck armour varied by location to prioritize protection for critical areas: 3 inches thick over the magazines to resist , and 1 to 2.5 inches over the machinery spaces to balance weight and vulnerability. The main and upper decks formed a layered system that could deflect or absorb fragments from near-misses. Turret armour was substantial to safeguard the primary armament, featuring 13-inch faces, 11-inch sides and rears, and 4-inch roofs, all constructed from high-quality cemented to withstand direct impacts from large-caliber shells. Barbettes supporting the were similarly protected with 13-inch-thick , linking the rotating structures securely to the . The , essential for command during battle, had 11-inch-thick sides and a 3-inch to shield personnel from splinters and glancing blows. Underwater protection emphasized anti-torpedo measures through a triple bottom construction and anti-torpedo bulkheads up to 1.5 inches thick, creating void spaces and liquid layers to absorb and dissipate explosion forces, a refinement from earlier classes. This system enhanced the ship's resilience against and threats prevalent in early 20th-century . Damage resistance trials conducted in demonstrated the effectiveness of Valiant's , with the ship able to withstand hits from 15-inch shells at ranges up to approximately yards without catastrophic penetration to vital areas, validating the design's ability to endure fleet actions. These tests, performed post-completion, informed minor adjustments and confirmed the class's suitability for frontline service.

Construction and commissioning

Building process

HMS Valiant was ordered under the 1912 Naval Programme as one of five battleships in the Queen Elizabeth class, with preliminary design work commencing that year to incorporate oil-fired boilers and enhanced speed capabilities aligned with the class specifications. Her keel was laid down on 31 January 1913 at the in , , , where the yard's facilities supported the assembly of her steel hull and major structural components. Construction progressed through 1913 and 1914, culminating in the hull's completion prior to floating out, at a total cost of £2,357,037 in contract funds.

Launch, trials, and acceptance

HMS Valiant was launched on 4 November 1914 at the in , , with an initial displacement of 27,500 long tons. The launching ceremony, the first such event for a major warship since the outbreak of the First World War, was performed by Lady Jellicoe (Florence Gwendoline, Lady Jellicoe), following a personal request from . Following the launch, Valiant entered the fitting-out phase, which lasted from November 1914 until January 1916. During this period, the ship underwent extensive work to install its main armament of eight , secondary battery, and four Parsons direct-drive steam turbines, along with 24 Yarrow boilers. This process was delayed by wartime priorities and resource constraints, ensuring the vessel met the specifications for propulsion and weaponry. The builder's sea trials commenced in the Firth of Clyde on 15 January 1916, aligning closely with her designed performance capabilities. Subsequent acceptance trials verified the ship's gunnery accuracy, with the fire-control systems demonstrating effective range and precision, as well as overall stability under various conditions, confirming her readiness for fleet service. Valiant was officially commissioned into the Royal Navy on 19 February 1916 under the command of Captain Maurice Woollcombe and assigned to the 5th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. She then undertook an initial shakedown cruise to Scapa Flow, where she joined her sister ships for integration into squadron operations.

World War I service

Grand Fleet operations

HMS Valiant was commissioned on 19 February 1916 and proceeded to , arriving there by late February and formally joining the 's 5th Battle Squadron on 3 March. This squadron, comprising the fast Queen Elizabeth-class battleships, operated under the command of Rear-Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas, who flew his flag in HMS Barham. Valiant's integration bolstered the squadron's role as a high-speed division positioned ahead of the main battle fleet during cruising formations, enabling rapid tactical adjustments in response to potential threats from the German . Upon joining, Valiant participated in routine patrols and sweeps across the to deter German sorties and maintain the blockade. Following her joining on 3 March, Valiant participated in an initial sweep from 5 to 7 March, concentrating near the Long Forties, which was aborted due to deteriorating weather affecting screens. These patrols emphasized the Grand Fleet's strategy of dominating northern waters while avoiding undue risk, with Valiant leveraging her 24-knot speed for scouting and support roles. In response to the German Lowestoft Raid on 25 April, the Grand Fleet, including the 5th Battle Squadron, sortied from that day but was recalled upon confirmation that the raiders had withdrawn, arriving too late for engagement. Training formed a core aspect of Valiant's early service, with intensive drills at and during sweeps focusing on squadron maneuvers, gunnery practice, and torpedo operations to refine coordination within the 5th Battle Squadron. These exercises honed the use of director firing systems and fleet deployments, preparing the ships for potential fleet actions. Minor challenges arose, such as foggy conditions during sweeps, which demanded vigilant collision avoidance amid reduced ; Valiant navigated these without incident, supported by destroyer screens that mitigated risks to the battleships.

Battle of Jutland

HMS Valiant, under the command of Captain Maurice Woollcombe, formed part of the Fifth Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet, under Rear-Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas, and was initially detached several miles astern of Vice-Admiral David Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet when the engagement with the German scouting forces began on 31 May 1916. A delayed signal from Beatty contributed to the squadron's late arrival, but it accelerated to 25 knots and rejoined the action mid-battle, positioning itself to support the battlecruisers as the German High Seas Fleet emerged. During the critical phase of the battle from 18:25 to 19:15, Valiant engaged battlecruisers including and accompanying vessels at ranges beginning around 19,000 yards, reopening fire at approximately 18:00 and firing a single torpedo at the German battlefleet at a range of about 14,000 yards (result unknown). The squadron's rapid fire contributed to the pressure on the German line, with Valiant and her sisters straddling targets amid the chaos of the "run to the ," though several claimed hits on German ships remained unconfirmed in subsequent reviews due to visibility challenges. Valiant received no damage despite multiple near-misses from German salvos, including shells that fell close enough to shake the ship; these were evaded through sharp turns ordered by Admiral Beatty, such as the 16-point alteration to starboard at 16:53 to counter a torpedo threat. The ship's crew maintained steady gunnery under these conditions, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Queen Elizabeth-class armament in prolonged long-range combat. Post-battle examination of Valiant's logs revealed inefficiencies in expenditure, with a total of 288 15-inch shells fired across the day's actions, and spotting errors largely attributed to dense smoke from cruisers obscuring fall of shot observations. One crew member was wounded, with no fatalities.

Interwar period

Routine duties and exercises

Following the conclusion of service in the Grand Fleet, HMS Valiant transferred to the Atlantic Fleet's First Battle Squadron in 1919, where she undertook standard peacetime operations including fleet maneuvers and training exercises. She remained assigned to this squadron until late 1924, conducting routine patrols and drills in home waters to maintain operational readiness. In November 1924, Valiant shifted to the Mediterranean Fleet's First Battle Squadron, basing primarily out of while making regular calls at and other key ports for resupply and joint fleet activities. During this period from 1925 to 1929, she participated in annual gunnery and exercises, emphasizing precision fire control and tactical coordination with other battleships. These drills focused on long-range bombardment simulations and anti-submarine tactics, contributing to the squadron's overall effectiveness in regional deterrence. Valiant underwent minor maintenance in 1922–1924, including boiler overhauls and electrical system upgrades at Devonport Dockyard, before recommissioning in to resume fleet duties. By 1930, following a larger modernization, she returned briefly to the Fleet, where her crew engaged in further training evolutions. In September 1931, while at , Valiant's sailors joined the broader Fleet , refusing to prepare for sea in protest against proposed pay reductions of up to 25% for lower ranks amid the economic crisis. The incident, involving around 1,000 personnel across the fleet, led to a temporary standoff but resolved without violence after government concessions, with Valiant among the ships delaying departure. In early 1932, Valiant transitioned back to the , continuing routine deployments and exercises that honed her role in potential crisis response, such as patrols near strategic chokepoints. Throughout the interwar years, these activities underscored her versatility as a flagship-capable vessel, often leading squadron formations during .

1930s refit

HMS Valiant underwent her first major interwar refit from March 1929 to December 1930 at Dockyard, where anti-torpedo bulges were added to enhance underwater protection against . These bulges increased the ship's to 104 feet (31.7 m) and her to 33,400 long tons (33,900 t). During this period, the two funnels were trunked into a single unit, and two were removed to streamline the . A single was installed on the , along with a accommodating two Fairey III floatplanes for and spotting duties. One octuple 2-pounder (40 mm) anti-aircraft mounting was also added to bolster air defense. The cost of this refit was approximately £510,983. A second extensive refit followed from March 1937 to November 1939 at Devonport Dockyard, focusing on propulsion and armament modernization. The centreline boilers were replaced with eight oil-fired Admiralty three-drum models, which improved efficiency and raised the maximum speed to 23.5 knots. The original fourteen 6-inch (152 mm) casemate guns were removed entirely, with their openings plated over to reduce vulnerability. In their place, twenty QF 4.5-inch (114 mm) dual-purpose guns were installed in ten twin Mark II* mountings (five per broadside), providing versatile anti-surface and anti-aircraft fire with a range of up to 20,700 yards. The anti-aircraft suite was further strengthened with four octuple 2-pounder (40 mm) "Pom-Pom" mountings (totaling 32 guns) and additional machine guns, including four 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) weapons. Radar Type 284 was integrated for main gunnery control, marking an early adoption of fire-control radar on the ship. The aircraft facilities were updated to include a catapult and hangar for two Supermarine Walrus amphibians.

World War II service

Early war and Force H

At the outbreak of the Second World War in , HMS Valiant was undergoing a refit at Devonport, which was completed on 30 November, allowing her recommissioning and subsequent deployment to join the at by early 1940. From there, she provided distant cover for the Northern Patrol, which enforced the against by intercepting merchant shipping in the and waters, as well as for initial Norwegian convoys such as ON 17 and HN 17 in March 1940. With the German invasion of Norway on 9 April 1940, Valiant participated in the Norwegian Campaign as part of the Home Fleet, sailing from Scapa Flow on 7 April to support Operation Wilfred, the British mining of Norwegian leads to deny passage to German shipping. She conducted escort duties for Convoy NP 1 toward Narvik from 13 to 15 April, providing heavy gunfire support during the operations to dislodge German forces in the region, though the primary bombardment was led by HMS Warspite. Valiant remained active in the campaign through June, including covering the evacuation of Allied troops during Operation Alphabet from 6 to 11 June. Following the fall of , Valiant departed on 26 June 1940 and arrived at on 30 June to join the newly formed under Vice-Admiral , tasked with securing British interests in the western Mediterranean and countering potential or threats. On 3 July, as part of Operation Catapult, attacked the anchored fleet at Mers-el-Kébir near , ; Valiant, positioned second in line behind HMS , opened fire at 5:54 p.m., contributing to the sinking of the battleship , though the latter required follow-up air strikes. In August 1940, Valiant supported Force H's initial forays into the central Mediterranean, including Operation HURRY from 31 July to 4 August, during which she covered the carrier HMS Ark Royal's delivery of Hawker Hurricane fighters to and an air strike on airfield in on 2 August that destroyed several Italian aircraft on the ground. She then participated in Operation HATS from 30 August to 5 September, escorting a convoy from to while reinforcing the at , during which the force repelled multiple Italian air attacks en route. On 1 September, Valiant aided another air raid on as part of Operation SMASH, further pressuring Italian air assets in . Later that month, while operating off in support of Mediterranean operations, Valiant endured air attacks by Italian bombers but sustained no significant damage, demonstrating the effectiveness of her anti-aircraft defenses enhanced by her 1937–1939 refit.

Mediterranean campaigns

In late 1940, HMS Valiant transferred to the , arriving at on 5 September after departing on 22 August and passing through and . She quickly integrated into operations, providing heavy escort for Malta-bound convoys amid intensifying air threats. In January 1941, Valiant formed part of Force A during Operation Excess, sailing from on 7 January to cover the convoy's passage from through the central Mediterranean to and ; the force endured multiple air attacks, with Valiant suffering near-misses that killed one crewman and wounded two others before returning to on 13 January. Valiant's most notable engagement came during the from 27 to 29 March 1941, when the , including Valiant, sortied from to intercept an Italian battle fleet south of . In the night action on 28 March, Valiant's detected the Italian cruisers at close range around 22:10, enabling the British battleships—Warspite, Barham, and Valiant—to close to point-blank distance and unleash devastating salvos. Valiant fired approximately 35 fifteen-inch shells and 50 four-point-five-inch shells at the Zara, contributing significantly to her rapid sinking, while the combined force also destroyed Fiume and the immobilized Pola, resulting in over 2,300 Italian deaths and the capture of 1,411 survivors. The battle marked a decisive British victory, severely hampering Italian naval operations in the region. Valiant returned to on 30 March. By May 1941, Valiant was actively supporting the defence and evacuation during the German invasion of , providing anti-aircraft cover for troop withdrawals from 20 to 22 May as part of the fleet under Admiral Andrew Cunningham. Enhanced by anti-aircraft armament from her refit, she endured relentless attacks, including Stuka dive-bombers, sustaining two bomb hits and a near-miss that caused structural damage, flooding, and temporary disablement of an aft fifteen-inch turret. Valiant underwent repairs at through June, rejoining duties by month's end. In July 1941, Valiant contributed to naval support for Operation Exporter, the Allied invasion of French-held and , operating with the to provide offshore bombardment and cover for ground advances along the coast. Throughout her Mediterranean tenure from late 1940 to late 1941, Valiant participated in over 20 convoy escort sorties, including key operations like Hats in September 1940 and the Tiger convoy in May 1941, ensuring vital supplies reached despite heavy Axis opposition.

Damage and Eastern Fleet

On 19 December 1941, HMS Valiant fell victim to a daring sabotage attack in harbour by Italian frogmen of the , who piloted three manned torpedoes (maiali) into the port. One explosive charge of 660 pounds was successfully placed beneath the battleship's hull and detonated at 06:06, creating a large in the port-side lower hull-bulge over an area measuring 60 feet by 30 feet. This caused immediate flooding of the lower bulge, inner bottom, shell room A, its associated magazine, and several adjacent compartments, leading the ship to settle five feet by the bow. Although Valiant did not capsize, the damage rendered her inoperable for , disrupting British naval operations in the Mediterranean at a critical juncture. Temporary repairs commenced immediately at , where Valiant occupied the harbour's floating from December 1941 until April 1942 to stabilize the structure and pump out water. On 8 April 1942, she was towed to , , arriving on 21 April for a comprehensive refit that lasted until July 1942. The work included patching the damage, installing new engines to replace those affected by flooding, and fitting the early air-warning Type 79Z, enhancing her detection capabilities against aerial threats. Post-refit trials in July confirmed her operational readiness, though maximum speed was limited to 23.5 knots. After completing repairs in in July 1942, Valiant conducted trials and workups before returning to the for operations in late 1942 and 1943, including providing gunfire support for the invasions of (Operation Husky) in July–August 1943 and Salerno () in September 1943. Following Avalanche, she returned to the in October 1943 for a refit completed in December 1943, after which she joined the 1st Battle Squadron of the British Eastern Fleet in January 1944, basing operations out of , Ceylon, to counter expansion in the . She provided heavy gunfire support for carrier-borne strikes against Japanese-held territories. Notable actions included the bombardment of Sabang, , on 19 April 1944 during , where Valiant targeted port facilities alongside HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Renown as aircraft from HMS Illustrious attacked airfields; and the raid on , , on 17 May 1944 under , shelling oil refineries and docks in coordination with U.S. and British carriers. In late July 1944, she supported Operation Crimson, another strike on Sabang, further degrading Japanese logistics in the region. Valiant's Eastern Fleet service was interrupted on 8 August 1944, when the floating AFD 23 at collapsed during routine maintenance, dropping the onto the harbour bottom. The impact severely damaged her stern, bending the two inner shafts, jamming the , and causing extensive structural deformation that required major reconstruction. With no docking facilities available locally, Valiant was towed to , , for repairs beginning in September 1944; the work, involving shaft replacement and hull reinforcement, extended until February 1945. During this period, she missed further operations, including the October 1944 carrier task force raid on Car Nicobar in the Andamans. Upon completion of repairs in early 1945, Valiant returned briefly to the Mediterranean in support of final operations along the Italian coast, including shore bombardments to aid Allied advances, before being reassigned to training duties in home waters.

Fate and legacy

Decommissioning and scrapping

Following severe damage in August 1944, HMS Valiant arrived at Plymouth and was paid off into reserve at Devonport, where she underwent extensive repairs for damage sustained in the Eastern Fleet during the final months of World War II. These repairs, necessitated by a drydock collapse at Trincomalee in August 1944 and subsequent operational wear, lasted from 14 February 1945 to 20 April 1946, after which the ship was not recommissioned for active duty but instead repurposed as a training vessel. In August 1946, she was renamed HMS Imperieuse and served as a harbor training ship for stoker mechanics at Devonport, accommodating the postwar demobilization of personnel while her aging structure—marked by multiple refits, Mediterranean campaigns, and Eastern theater damages—limited further viability. By early 1948, amid the Royal Navy's postwar fleet reductions, Valiant was placed on the disposal list and surveyed for scrap value, her hull and machinery deemed uneconomical to modernize given the rapid obsolescence of battleships in the atomic age. On 19 March 1948, she was sold to the British Iron & Steel Corporation for breaking up, reflecting the broader scrapping of capital ships to recover materials and reduce maintenance costs. Towed from Devonport on 9 August 1948, the ship arrived at the Cairnryan breakers' yard in Scotland on 12 August, where demolition began; the process continued with the hull towed to Troon on 10 March 1950 until completion that month, yielding steel and other components for industrial reuse.

Battle honours

HMS Valiant received a total of 9 official battle honours for her wartime service across both world wars, recognizing key engagements in which she participated as part of squadrons. These awards were granted by the in 1947, determined through review of squadron involvement and verified combat actions to honor ships' contributions to successful operations against enemy forces. For the First World War, Valiant earned the battle honour "Jutland 1916," marking her role in the decisive clash with the German as part of the 5th Battle Squadron. In the Second , Valiant was awarded eight honours reflecting her extensive operations in multiple theatres: 1940 for early northern patrols, 1940–42 for escorting critical supply runs to the besieged island amid intense Axis air attacks, Matapan 1941 for the night action against Italian cruisers, 1941 for supporting evacuations during the German invasion, 1941–42 for shore bombardments aiding ground forces, Sicily 1943 for providing fire support during the Allied landings, and East Indies 1944–45 for strikes against Japanese positions. The convoy honours underscore Valiant's vital defensive role in sustaining Allied positions in the Mediterranean, where she helped counter and air threats to vital resupply efforts. These battle honours were traditionally displayed on a dedicated board or inscribed elements associated with the , which survives today and is preserved at the Royal Museums Greenwich.

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