HMS Colossus (1910)

HMS "Colossus" of the British Royal Navy was the nameship of her class of dreadnought battleships.

She was launched 9 April 1910 and commissioned in 1911. Although very similar to "Neptune" she was not part of Neptune's class as "Colossus" and her sister-ship, "Hercules", had greater armour. She joined the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Home Fleet.

When the First World War began in August 1914 "Colossus" became the flagship of the 1st Battle Squadron. While commanded by Captain Dudley Pound she fought with distinction at the Battle of Jutland in 1916 while acting as the flagship of Rear-Admiral Ernest Gaunt. During the battle, "Colossus" took two hits which caused minor damage and five casualties. When the war came to a close, "Colossus" became a training ship until 1920 when, under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty, she was stricken and eventually broken up in 1928. Her sister-ship was scrapped in 1921.

References

* "British Warships 1914-1919" by Dittmar, F.J. and Colledge, J.J. Ian Allan, London; (1972), ISBN 0-7110-0380-7

External links

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* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/great_britain/battleships/colossus/hms_colossus.htm Maritimequest HMS Colossus Photo Gallery]
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* [http://www.worldwar1.co.uk/battleship/hms-colossus.html Worldwar1.co.uk]