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HMS Courageous (50)

Coordinates: 50°10′N 14°45′W / 50.167°N 14.750°W / 50.167; -14.750
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HMS Courageous
Company typeRoyal Navy battlecruiser and aircraft carrier
IndustryNaval military vessel
Founded1916
FateSunk by German U-boat torpedo in September 1939
Headquarters
United Kingdom
,
United Kingdom

Overview of HMS Courageous

HMS Courageous served as the lead vessel in a trio of battlecruisers constructed for the Royal Navy during the First World War. Conceived under the initiative known as the Baltic Project, advocated by First Sea Lord John Fisher, this ship featured minimal armor protection and was equipped with a limited number of heavy-caliber guns. The vessel was finalized towards the end of 1916 and primarily conducted patrols across the North Sea throughout the conflict. Notably, she took part in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight in November 1917 and was present at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in 1918.

Following the war, both Courageous and her sister ship Glorious were taken out of active service and placed in reserve. During the mid-1920s, they underwent conversion into aircraft carriers. Post-conversion, Courageous and Glorious were capable of operating 48 aircraft each, surpassing the 36 aircraft capacity of their related vessel Furious despite having similar displacement figures. Upon re-entering service, Courageous primarily operated in waters near Great Britain and Ireland. She briefly served as a training ship before returning to her primary operational role just months prior to the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939. Later that same month, she was struck by a torpedo from a German U-boat, resulting in her sinking and the tragic loss of over 500 crew members.

Origin and construction

During the First World War, Admiral Fisher was barred from commissioning an enhanced variant of the earlier Renown-class battlecruisers due to a 1915 wartime limitation that prohibited building vessels larger than light cruisers. To fulfill the battlecruiser doctrine roles—such as fleet reconnaissance and pursuing enemy raiders—he opted for ships equipped with the light cruiser's minimal armour yet armed like a battlecruiser. He defended their design by asserting the necessity for swift, shallow-draft vessels to execute his Baltic Project, an operation aimed at invading Germany via its Baltic shoreline.[1][2]

Courageous measured 786 feet 9 inches (239.8 m) in overall length, featured a beam of 81 feet (24.7 m), and had a draught of 25 feet 10 inches (7.9 m) when at deep load. Her displacement was 19,180 long tons (19,490 t) at normal load and reached 22,560 long tons (22,922 t) under deep load conditions.[3] Alongside her sister ships, she was among the first sizable Royal Navy warships to be equipped with geared steam turbines. To expedite design, the geared turbine setup used in the light cruiser Champion, the navy’s initial cruiser fitted with geared turbines, was duplicated across four turbine units. These Parsons turbines were driven by eighteen Yarrow small-tube boilers. They were engineered to generate a combined output of 90,000 shaft horsepower (67 MW) at a working pressure of 235 psi (1,620 kPa; 17 kgf/cm2). During sea trials, the vessel achieved an estimated speed of 30.8 knots (57.0 km/h; 35.4 mph).[4]

The ship’s standard fuel oil capacity was 750 long tons (762 t), though she could hold up to 3,160 long tons (3,211 t) at maximum load. With full fuel tanks, her operational range was approximately 6,000 nautical miles (11,110 km; 6,900 mi) cruising at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).[5]

Armament included four BL 15-inch Mk I guns housed in two hydraulically operated twin gun turrets labeled 'A' at the fore and 'Y' aft. The secondary battery comprised eighteen BL 4-inch Mk IX guns, arranged in six manually operated mounts.[5] However, the close proximity of three breeches within one mount hindered loading efficiency, as the 23 loaders obstructed each other's movements, reducing the intended firing rate.[6] Additionally, two QF 3-inch 20 cwt[Note 1] anti-aircraft guns were installed beside the mainmast. The ship was also equipped with two submerged torpedo tubes for launching 21-inch torpedoes, carrying a total of ten torpedoes.[5]

First World War

Courageous was laid down on 26 March 1915, launched on 5 February 1916, and completed by 4 November that year. During her sea trials later that month, she suffered structural damage while operating at full speed in rough head seas; the precise cause remains unclear.[7] The forecastle deck exhibited significant buckling in three locations between the breakwater and forward turret.[8] Side plating between the forecastle and upper decks also showed visible deformation. Water had penetrated the submerged torpedo room and rivets securing deck armour via angle irons had failed.[9] To address these issues, an additional 130 long tons (130 t) of steel reinforcement was applied.[7] By November 23, 1916, construction expenses totaled £2,038,225.[10]

After commissioning, Courageous joined the Grand Fleet's 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron and later became flagship of the reconstituted 1st Cruiser Squadron toward late 1916 following heavy losses at the Battle of Jutland.[11] In April 1917 she was briefly modified for minelaying duties by fitting mine rails capable of holding over 200 mines on her quarterdeck; however, she never deployed mines operationally. Mid-1917 saw her outfitted with six twin torpedo tube mounts—one on each side beside the mainmast on the upper deck and two on each side adjacent to the rear turret on the quarterdeck.[12][13] Rear-Admiral Trevylyan Napier took command of the squadron on July 30, 1917 and served as Acting Vice-Admiral commanding the Light Cruiser Force until October 26, 1918.[14]

On October 16, 1917, intelligence indicated possible German naval movements suggesting a raid. Admiral David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty ordered most light cruisers and destroyers to deploy in search of enemy vessels. Initially excluded from this sortie were Courageous and Glorious, but they were dispatched later that day to reinforce patrols by the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron operating in central parts of the North Sea.[15] The following morning two German Brummer-class cruiser light cruisers evaded British patrols and attacked a convoy bound for Norway; however, news of this engagement only reached British forces that afternoon. The squadron was ordered to intercept but failed due to underestimating the German cruisers’ speed.[16]

Second Battle of Heligoland Bight

Main article: Second Battle of Heligoland Bight

During 1917, the Admiralty grew increasingly alarmed by German operations aimed at clearing routes through British-laid minefields, which were designed to limit the movements of the High Seas Fleet and German submarines. On 31 October, a preliminary strike against German minesweeping units by light forces resulted in the destruction of ten small vessels. Acting on intelligence, the Admiralty deployed the 1st Cruiser Squadron on 17 November 1917, supported by the strengthened 1st Battlecruiser Squadron for close cover and the battleships of the 1st Battle Squadron providing distant protection, with the objective of eliminating the minesweepers and their light cruiser escorts.

The German contingent consisted of four light cruisers from II Scouting Force, eight destroyers, three minesweeper divisions, eight Sperrbrechers (trawlers filled with cork), and two additional trawlers marking the cleared channels. These vessels were detected at 7:30 am.[Note 2] Seven minutes later, Courageous alongside the light cruiser Cardiff initiated fire using their forward artillery. The Germans countered by deploying an effective smoke screen. Despite this, British forces maintained pursuit but lost sight of most smaller craft within the smoke, redirecting their fire primarily onto the light cruisers. During the engagement, Courageous discharged 92 fifteen-inch shells and 180 four-inch shells,[17] sustaining only damage caused by her own muzzle blast.[18] A single fifteen-inch shell struck a gun shield on the light cruiser SMS Pillau but did not impair her speed. At 9:30, to avoid advancing into a minefield indicated on their charts, the 1st Cruiser Squadron ceased their chase and turned southward, withdrawing from further combat involvement.[19]

Following this encounter, Courageous had her mine-handling equipment removed and spent intermittent periods patrolling the North Sea for the remainder of the war. In 1918, short take-off platforms were installed on both 15-inch (380 mm) turrets to accommodate a Sopwith Camel and a Sopwith 1½ Strutter.[20] The vessel was present during the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet on 21 November 1918.[13] On 1 February 1919, Courageous was placed in reserve at Rosyth, once again becoming Napier's flagship as he assumed command as Vice-Admiral of the Rosyth Reserve until 1 May.[14] The following year she was assigned to serve as a turret drill ship for the Gunnery School at Portsmouth. In March 1920, she became flagship for the Rear-Admiral Commanding the Reserve at Portsmouth.[21] Captain Sidney Meyrick took over as her Flag Captain in 1920,[22] with Capt John Casement succeeding him in August 1921.[23]

Conversion

The 1922 Washington Naval Treaty imposed strict restrictions on capital ship tonnage, compelling the Royal Navy to dismantle numerous older battleships and battlecruisers. Under the treaty's provisions, existing vessels with a combined tonnage of up to 66,000 long tons (67,059 t) could be transformed into aircraft carriers. The Courageous class, characterized by their spacious hulls and impressive speed, were well-suited for such conversions. Work to convert Courageous commenced on 29 June 1924 at Devonport.[24] Her fifteen-inch gun turrets were removed and stored; these were later repurposed during the Second World War for HMS Vanguard, the Royal Navy’s final battleship.[25] The total expense for converting her into an aircraft carrier amounted to £2,025,800.[26]

The redesigned vessel incorporated improvements over her half-sister HMS Furious, which lacked both an island superstructure and a traditional funnel. All guns, torpedo tubes, superstructure, and fittings extending down to the main deck were removed. A two-level hangar was constructed atop the remaining hull; each level measured 16 feet (4.9 m) in height and stretched 550 feet (167.6 m) in length. The upper hangar opened onto a short flying-off deck, positioned beneath and ahead of the primary flight deck. This flying-off deck enhanced operational flexibility during launch and recovery cycles until advancements in fighter aircraft requiring longer takeoff distances rendered it obsolete by the 1930s.[27] Two lifts measuring 46-by-48-foot (14.0 m × 14.6 m) were situated fore and aft on the flight deck. An island housing the bridge, flying control station, and funnel was installed on the starboard side after it was determined that islands did not significantly increase airflow turbulence. By 1939, Courageous was capable of carrying 34,500 imperial gallons (157,000 L; 41,400 US gal) of aviation fuel.[28]

The ship was outfitted with a dual-purpose battery comprising sixteen QF 4.7-inch Mk VIII guns mounted individually in HA Mark XII mounts. One mount was positioned on each side of the lower flight deck while two were located on the quarterdeck; the remaining twelve were distributed along the hull sides.[29] During mid-1930s refits, she received three quadruple Mk VII mounts for 40-millimetre (1.6 in) 2-pounder "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns, two of which were relocated from the battleship Royal Sovereign. These mounts were placed on either side of the flying-off deck ahead of the 4.7-inch guns and one behind the island on the flight deck. Additionally, she gained four water-cooled .50-calibre Mk III anti-aircraft machine guns arranged in a single quadruple mounting within a sponson on the port side aft.[30]

The conversion was finalized on 21 February 1928. Following completion, Courageous underwent months of trials and training before joining the Mediterranean Fleet, where she operated out of Malta from May 1928 until June 1930.[31] In August 1929, amid the outbreak of the 1929 Palestine riots, she was dispatched to assist; upon arrival off Palestine, her air squadron was deployed ashore to aid in restoring order.[32] After being relieved by Glorious, she underwent refitting between June and August 1930 before serving with both the Atlantic and Home Fleets from August 1930 through December 1938, except for a brief return to the Mediterranean Fleet in 1936. In the early part of that decade, traverse arresting gear was installed along with two hydraulic aircraft catapults on her upper flight deck prior to March 1934. She received another refit between October 1935 and June 1936 that included installation of her pom-pom mounts. Courageous took part in King George VI’s Coronation Fleet Review at Spithead on 20 May 1937. In December 1938, she transitioned into a training carrier role when Ark Royal joined the Home Fleet but was replaced by her half-sister Furious in May 1939. On 9 August that year, she participated in the Portland Fleet Review.[31]

Air group

File:Flycatcher-.jpg
Fairey Flycatcher
File:15 Blackburn Skua, Bristol Perseus (15812107966).jpg
Blackburn Skua

Courageous had the capacity to carry as many as 48 aircraft. After completing her sea trials and loading necessary supplies and crew, she set sail for Spithead on 14 May 1928. The next day marked the ship's inaugural deck landing by a Blackburn Dart from 463 Flight. This was soon followed by landings of Fairey Flycatchers from 404 and 407 Flights, Fairey IIIFs from 445 and 446 Flights, and additional Darts from both 463 and 464 Flights. On 2 June, the vessel departed for Malta to join the Mediterranean Fleet.[33]

Between 1933 and late 1938, Courageous was home to No. 800 Squadron, which operated a combination of nine Hawker Nimrod and three Hawker Osprey fighter planes.[34] During this period, 810, 820, and 821 Squadrons were also embarked for roles in reconnaissance and anti-ship assaults. Their aircraft included the Blackburn Baffin, Blackburn Shark, Blackburn Ripon, and the Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers, alongside reconnaissance planes such as the Fairey Seal.[35] In early 1939, serving as a carrier dedicated to deck landing training, Courageous hosted the Blackburn Skua and Gloster Sea Gladiator fighters of 801 Squadron as well as Swordfish torpedo bombers from 811 Squadron. However, both squadrons were removed when the ship ceased training operations in May.[36]

Second World War and sinking

File:HMS Courageous sinking.jpg
Courageous sinking after being torpedoed by U-29

At the outbreak of World War II, Courageous operated with the Home Fleet carrying squadrons 811 and 822, each equipped with twelve Fairey Swordfish aircraft.[37] Early in the conflict, hunter-killer groups were organized around carriers to detect and eliminate U-boats. On 31 August 1939, she moved to her wartime position at Portland while embarking both Swordfish squadrons. On the evening of 3 September 1939, Courageous left Plymouth for an anti-submarine patrol in the Western Approaches, escorted by four destroyers.[33] While conducting a similar patrol off Ireland on the evening of 17 September 1939, two of her escorting destroyers had been dispatched to assist a merchant vessel under attack; all aircraft had returned from sorties. The German submarine U-29, under Captain-Lieutenant Otto Schuhart, shadowed Courageous for over two hours. When the carrier turned into the wind to launch aircraft—placing her directly across the submarine’s bow—U-29 fired three torpedoes. Two struck on her port side before any planes could take off, disabling all electrical systems. The vessel capsized and sank within twenty minutes, resulting in the deaths of 519 crew members including her captain.[38] Survivors were rescued by the US cargo ship Collingsworth, Ellerman Lines’ cargo vessel Dido, and Dutch ocean liner Veendam. The two remaining destroyers launched a four-hour counterattack against U-29 but failed to prevent its escape.[39]

File:SS Veendam.jpg
The liner Veendam

Following an unsuccessful assault on Ark Royal by U-39 on 14 September and then the sinking of Courageous three days later—the first British warship lost to enemy action during the war—the Royal Navy withdrew its carriers from anti-submarine patrol duties. Notably, Courageous was the first British naval vessel sunk by German forces (although friendly fire had caused the loss of submarine Oxley a week earlier at the hands of Triton).[40] The commander of Germany’s submarine fleet, Commodore Karl Dönitz, hailed the destruction of Courageous as "a wonderful success," sparking widespread celebration within the Kriegsmarine. Grand Admiral Erich Raeder, head of the Kriegsmarine, ordered that Captain-Lieutenant Schuhart be awarded the Iron Cross First Class while all other crew members received Iron Cross Second Class decorations.[41]

Notes

  1. ↑ "cwt" denotes hundredweight, with 30 cwt indicating the gun's weight.
  2. ↑ The times used in this article are in UTC, which is one hour behind CET, which is often used in German works.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Burt 1986, p. 303
  2. ↑ Roberts, pp. 50–51
  3. ↑ Roberts, pp. 64–65
  4. ↑ Roberts, pp. 71, 76, 79
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Burt 1986, p. 306
  6. ↑ Burt 1986, p. 294
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Roberts, p. 54
  8. ↑ Burt 1986, p. 309
  9. ↑ Burt 1986, pp. 309, 313
  10. ↑ Burt 1986, p. 307
  11. ↑ Parkes, p. 621
  12. ↑ McBride, p. 109
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Burt 1986, p. 314
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named iwm
  15. ↑ Newbolt, pp. 150–51
  16. ↑ Newbolt, pp. 156–57
  17. ↑ Campbell, p. 67
  18. ↑ McBride, p. 115
  19. ↑ McBride, pp. 110–12
  20. ↑ Campbell, p. 66
  21. ↑ Burt 1986, p. 315
  22. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  23. ↑ Navy List 1921
  24. ↑ Burt 1993, pp. 273, 285
  25. ↑ Parkes, p. 647
  26. ↑ Template:Cite newspaper The Times
  27. ↑ Brown, D., p. 2
  28. ↑ Friedman, pp. 103, 105–06
  29. ↑ Burt 1993, pp. 274–78
  30. ↑ Burt 1993, pp. 165, 278, 281
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Burt 1993, pp. 281, 285
  32. ↑ Sturtivant Air EnthusiastSeptember–December 1988, p. 13.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  34. ↑ Sturtivant, pp. 155, 157–58
  35. ↑ Sturtivant, pp. 197, 200, 243, 247, 250, 252
  36. ↑ Sturtivant, pp. 161, 164–65, 203–04
  37. ↑ Brown, J.D., p. 12
  38. ↑ Burt 1993, pp. 286–88
  39. ↑ Blair, pp. 90–91
  40. ↑ Rohwer, pp. 1–3
  41. ↑ Blair, p. 91

References

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External links

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