COMMONWEALTH (May, 1903). (Re-built 1918).

COMMONWEALTH, as re-built 1918.

• Normal displacement, 16350 tons. Full load; 17,050 tons.
• Complement, 753.
• Length: waterline, 439 feet; over all, 457 feet; Beam: at w.l., 78 feet. outside bulges,?? feet. Mean draught, 26.75, feet. Max. 28 feet.
• Guns: 4 - 12 in., IX 40 cal. Dir. Con. 4 - 9.2 in., IX, 45 cal. Dir. Con.; 4 - 6 inch, VII; 8 - 12 pdr.; 2 - 3 inch (anti-aircraft); 6 - 3 pdr., 2- 3 pdr. (anti-aircraft) (sic); 5 M.G., (1 landing)
• Torpedo tubes (18 inch): 4 submerged (broadside)
• Armour (Krupp); 9" Belt (amidships); 7" - 3" Belt (forward). 2.5" Belt (aft); 2" - 1" Main, middle, lower decks; 12" - 6" Barbettes (N.C.); 12" - 8" Gunhouses (K.C.); 8" Lower deck side; 7" Battery (2" traverses); 4" Secondary turrets; 12" C.T. (6" tube)
• Special protection: Bulges, ?? ft. deep.
• Machinery: 2 sets 4-cylinder triple expansion. 2 screws. Boilers: 16 Babcock. Designed H.P. 17,500 (n.d.), 18,000 (f.d.) = 18.5 kts. (15 since bulge protection was added ?).
• Coal normal, 950 tons; maximum, 2194 tons + 380 tons oil fuel.

General Notes: Built under 1901-2 Estimates. Rebuilt 1918, when bulge protection, director controls, extra search lights and fore tripod mast were added. Note that all 6-inch guns have been removed from battery; 4 - 6 inch are mounted on upper deck in shields. Serves as sea-going Gunnery Ship for qualifying gunlayers.

Removals.-Africa, Zealandia, for Disposal; will not be required for War Fleet. Dominion, Hibernia, Hindustan, for sale.

NOTE.-Disposal of other Pre-Dreadnoughts as follows:

LORD NELSON Class:-

Lord Nelson for Sale. Agamemnon, for Fleet Firing Service and in Reserve. Will probably be Target Ship.

SWIFTSURE Class :-

Swiftsure. Target Ship.

DUNCAN Class :-

Albemarle, Duncan, Exmouth, all for Sale.

FORMIDABLE Class:-

Prince of Wales, Venerable, Implacable, for Special Service (Harbour Duties only). Queen, disarmed and Accommodation Ship only. London, Minelayer and listed on later page.

CANOPUS Class :-

Albion, Canopus for Sale; Vengeance *, for Special Service (probably only Harbour Duty as Hulk). Glory, Harbour Depot Ship, Rosyth.

MAJESTIC Class:-

Caesar, Hannibal,* Illustrious ,* Magnificent, Mars,* Victorious ,* for Special Service, mostly as Harbour Depot Ships. Prince George,* Harbour Depot Ship for Destroyers in Reserve. Jupiter for Sale.

Old ROYAL SOVEREIGN Class:-

Redoubtable (ex Revenge) for Sale.

* These Ships have been completely disarmed or mount only a few light guns.

Source: As extracted from Jane's Fighting Ships © for 1919 - Page 69

© Jane's Information Group

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