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| Ship motto = "[[Prince of Wales's feathers|Ich Dien]]" – German: "I serve"
| Ship motto = "[[Prince of Wales's feathers|Ich Dien]]" – German: "I serve"
| Ship nickname = ''PoW''
| Ship nickname = ''PoW''
| Ship badge =
| Ship badge = [[File:HMS-Prince-of-Wales-Ship-Badge.webp|80px]]
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
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| Ship class = {{sclass|King George V|battleship|3||1939}}
| Ship class = {{sclass|King George V|battleship|3||1939}}
| Ship displacement = {{convert|43786|LT|t|lk=on}} (deep)
| Ship displacement = {{convert|43786|LT|t|lk=on}} (deep)
| Ship length ={{convert|745|ft|1|in|m|1|abbr=on}} (overall)
| Ship length = {{convert|745|ft|1|in|m|1|abbr=on}} (overall)
| Ship beam = {{convert|103|ft|2|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|103|ft|2|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
| Ship draught = {{convert|34|ft|4|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
| Ship draught = {{convert|34|ft|4|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
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* [[Barbette]]s: {{cvt|12.75|in|mm}}
* [[Barbette]]s: {{cvt|12.75|in|mm}}
| Ship aircraft = 4 [[Supermarine Walrus]] [[seaplane]]s
| Ship aircraft = 4 [[Supermarine Walrus]] [[seaplane]]s
| Ship aircraft facilities=1 × [[aircraft catapult|catapult]]
| Ship aircraft facilities = 1 × [[aircraft catapult|catapult]]
}}
}}
|}
|}
'''HMS ''Prince of Wales''''' was a {{sclass|King George V|battleship|3||1939}} of the [[Royal Navy]] that was built at the [[Cammell Laird]] shipyard in [[Birkenhead]]. Despite being sunk less than a year after she was commissioned, ''Prince of Wales'' had an extensive battle history, first seeing action in August 1940 while still being outfitted in her [[drydock]] when she was attacked and damaged by German aircraft. In her brief career, she was involved in several key actions of the Second World War, including the May 1941 [[Battle of the Denmark Strait]] where she scored three hits on the {{ship|German battleship|Bismarck|up=yes}}, forcing ''Bismarck'' to abandon her [[Operation Rheinübung|raiding mission]] and head to port for repairs. ''Prince of Wales'' later escorted one of the [[Malta convoy]]s in the Mediterranean, during which she was attacked by Italian aircraft. In her final action, she attempted to intercept Japanese troop convoys off the coast of [[British Malaya|Malaya]] as part of [[Force Z]] when [[Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse|she was sunk]] by Japanese aircraft on 10 December 1941, two days after the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]].
'''HMS ''Prince of Wales''''' was a {{sclass|King George V|battleship|3||1939}} of the [[Royal Navy]] that was built at the [[Cammell Laird]] shipyard in [[Birkenhead]]. Despite being sunk less than a year after she was commissioned, ''Prince of Wales'' had an extensive battle history, first seeing action in August 1940 while still being outfitted in her [[drydock]], when she was attacked and damaged by German aircraft. In her brief career, she was involved in several key actions of the Second World War, including the May 1941 [[Battle of the Denmark Strait]] where she scored three hits on the {{ship|German battleship|Bismarck|up=yes}}, forcing ''Bismarck'' to abandon her [[Operation Rheinübung|raiding mission]] and head to port for repairs. ''Prince of Wales'' later escorted one of the [[Malta convoy]]s in the Mediterranean, during which she was attacked by Italian aircraft. In her final action, she attempted to intercept Japanese troop convoys off the coast of [[British Malaya|Malaya]] as part of [[Force Z]] when [[Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse|she was sunk]] by Japanese aircraft on 10 December 1941, two days after the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]].


She was sunk alongside her [[consort (nautical)|consort]], the [[battlecruiser]] {{HMS|Repulse|1916|6}}, in an attack by 85 [[Mitsubishi G3M]] and [[Mitsubishi G4M|G4M bombers]] of the Japanese [[Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service|navy air service]]. ''Prince of Wales'' and ''Repulse'' became the first capital ships to be sunk solely by air power on the open sea, a harbinger of the diminishing role this class of ships was subsequently to play in naval warfare. The wreck of ''Prince of Wales'' lies upside down in {{convert|223|ft|m}} of water, near [[Kuantan]], in the [[South China Sea]].
She was sunk alongside her [[consort (nautical)|consort]], the [[battlecruiser]] {{HMS|Repulse|1916|6}}, in an attack by 85 [[Mitsubishi G3M]] and [[Mitsubishi G4M|G4M bombers]] of the Japanese [[Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service|navy air service]]. ''Prince of Wales'' and ''Repulse'' became the first capital ships to be sunk solely by air power on the open sea, a harbinger of the diminishing role this class of ships was subsequently to play in naval warfare. The wreck of ''Prince of Wales'' lies upside down in {{convert|223|ft|m}} of water, near [[Kuantan]], in the [[South China Sea]].


In the 21st century, her wreck was illegally salvaged by scrap metal dealers.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Gavin Blair |title=Malaysia seizes Chinese ship suspected of looting wartime British wrecks |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/malaysia-seizes-chinese-ship-suspected-of-looting-wartime-british-wrecks-pnp66vbc0 |access-date=30 May 2023 |work=[[The Times]] |language=en |quote=While on a tour of Malaysia in 2017, the then Prince Charles was shown evidence of the previous scavenging of the ship}}</ref>
In the 21st century, her wreck was illegally salvaged by scrap metal dealers.<ref>{{cite news |first=Gavin |last=Blair |title=Malaysia seizes Chinese ship suspected of looting wartime British wrecks |date=30 May 2023 |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/malaysia-seizes-chinese-ship-suspected-of-looting-wartime-british-wrecks-pnp66vbc0 |access-date=30 May 2023 |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |language=en |quote=While on a tour of Malaysia in 2017, the then Prince Charles was shown evidence of the previous scavenging of the ship}}</ref>


== Construction ==
== Construction ==
In the aftermath of the First World War, the [[Washington Naval Treaty]] was drawn up in 1922 in an effort to stop an [[arms race]] developing between Britain, Japan, France, Italy and the United States. This treaty limited the number of ships each nation was allowed to build and capped the [[tonnage]] of all [[capital ships]] at 35,000 tons.<ref>Raven and Roberts, p. 107</ref> These restrictions were extended in 1930 through the [[London Naval Treaty|Treaty of London]], however, by the mid-1930s Japan and Italy had withdrawn from both of these treaties, and the British became concerned about a lack of modern battleships within their navy. As a result, the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] ordered the construction of a new battleship class: the ''King George V'' class. Due to the provisions of both the Washington Naval Treaty and the Treaty of London, both of which were still in effect when the ''King George V''s were being designed, the main armament of the class was limited to the {{convert|14|in|mm|adj=on|0}} guns prescribed under these instruments. They were the only battleships built at that time to adhere to the treaty, and even though it soon became apparent to the British that the other signatories to the treaty were ignoring its requirements, it was too late to change the design of the class before they were laid down in 1937.<ref name="K20">Konstam, p. 20</ref>
In the aftermath of the First World War, the [[Washington Naval Treaty]] was drawn up in 1922 in an effort to stop an [[arms race]] developing between Britain, Japan, France, Italy and the United States. This treaty limited the number of ships each nation was allowed to build and capped the [[tonnage]] of all [[capital ships]] at 35,000 tons.<ref>Raven and Roberts, p. 107</ref> These restrictions were extended in 1930 through the [[London Naval Treaty|Treaty of London]], however, by the mid-1930s Japan and Italy had withdrawn from both of these treaties, and the British became concerned about a lack of modern battleships within their navy. As a result, the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] ordered the construction of a new battleship class: the ''King George V'' class. Due to the provisions of both the Washington Naval Treaty and the Treaty of London, both of which were still in effect when the ''King George V''s were being designed, the main armament of the class was limited to the {{convert|14|in|mm|adj=on|0}} guns prescribed under these instruments. They were the only battleships built at that time to adhere to the treaty, and even though it soon became apparent to the British that the other signatories to the treaty were ignoring its requirements, it was too late to change the design of the class before they were laid down in 1937.<ref name="K20">Konstam, p. 20</ref>


''Prince of Wales'' was originally to be named ''King Edward VIII'' but upon the abdication of [[Edward VIII]] the ship was renamed even before she had been [[Keel laying|laid down]]. This occurred at [[Cammell Laird]]'s shipyard in [[Birkenhead]] on 1 January 1937, although it was not until 3 May 1939 that she was launched. She was still fitting out when war was declared in September, causing her construction schedule, and that of her [[sister ship|sister]], {{HMS|King George V|41|2}}, to be accelerated. Nevertheless, the late delivery of gun mountings caused delays in her outfitting.<ref name="G177">Garzke p. 177</ref>
''Prince of Wales'' was originally to be named ''King Edward VIII'' but upon the abdication of [[Edward VIII]] the ship was renamed at [[Cammell Laird]]'s shipyard in [[Birkenhead]] on 1 January 1937, before being [[Keel laying|laid down]]. She was launched on 3 May 1939. She was still fitting out when war was declared in September, causing her construction schedule, and that of her [[sister ship|sister]], {{HMS|King George V|41|2}}, to be accelerated. Nevertheless, the late delivery of gun mountings caused delays in her outfitting.<ref name="G177">Garzke p. 177</ref>


In early August 1940, while she was still being outfitted and was in a semi-complete state, ''Prince of Wales'' was attacked by German aircraft. One bomb fell between the ship and a wet basin wall, narrowly missing a 100-ton dockside crane, and exploded underwater below the [[bilge keel]]. The explosion took place about six feet from the ship's port side in the vicinity of the aft group of 5.25-inch guns. Buckling of the [[shell plating]] took place over a distance of 20 to {{convert|30|ft|m}}, rivets were sprung and considerable flooding took place in the port outboard compartments in the area of damage, causing a ten-degree port list. The flooding was severe, because final compartment air tests had not yet been made and the ship did not have her pumping system in operation.<ref name="G177" />
In early August 1940, while she was still being outfitted and was in a semi-complete state, ''Prince of Wales'' was attacked by German aircraft. One bomb fell between the ship and a wet basin wall, narrowly missing a 100-ton dockside crane, and exploded underwater below the [[bilge keel]], about six feet from the ship's port side in the vicinity of the aft group of 5.25-inch guns. The [[shell plating]] buckled over a distance of {{convert|20 to 30|ft|m}}, rivets were sprung and there was considerable flooding in the port outboard compartments in the area of damage, causing a ten-degree list to port. The flooding was severe, because final compartment air tests had not yet been made and the ship did not have her pumping system in operation.<ref name="G177" />


The water was pumped out through the joint efforts of a local fire company and the shipyard, and ''Prince of Wales'' was later dry-docked for permanent repairs. This damage and the problem with the delivery of her main guns and turrets delayed her completion. As the war progressed there was an urgent need for capital ships, and so her completion was advanced by postponing compartment air tests, ventilation tests and thorough testing of her bilge, [[Ballast tank|ballast]] and fuel-oil systems.<ref name="G177" />
The water was pumped out through the joint efforts of a local fire company and the shipyard, and ''Prince of Wales'' was later dry-docked for permanent repairs. This damage and the problem with the delivery of her main guns and turrets delayed her completion. As the war progressed there was an urgent need for capital ships, and so her completion was advanced by postponing compartment air tests, ventilation tests and thorough testing of her bilge, [[Ballast tank|ballast]] and fuel-oil systems.<ref name="G177" />
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''Prince of Wales'' [[Displacement (ship)|displaced]] {{convert|36727|LT|t|-2}} as built and {{convert|43786|LT|t|-2}} fully loaded. The ship had an [[length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|745|ft|m|1}}, a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|103|ft|m|1}} and a [[draft (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|29|ft|m|1}}. Her designed [[metacentric height]] was {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m}} at normal load and {{convert|8|ft|1|in|m}} at deep load.<ref>Campbell, p. 15</ref><ref>Garzke, p. 249</ref>
''Prince of Wales'' [[Displacement (ship)|displaced]] {{convert|36727|LT|t|-2}} as built and {{convert|43786|LT|t|-2}} fully loaded. The ship had an [[length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|745|ft|m|1}}, a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|103|ft|m|1}} and a [[draft (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|29|ft|m|1}}. Her designed [[metacentric height]] was {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m}} at normal load and {{convert|8|ft|1|in|m}} at deep load.<ref>Campbell, p. 15</ref><ref>Garzke, p. 249</ref>


She was powered by [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] geared [[steam turbine]]s, driving four propeller shafts. Steam was provided by eight [[Admiralty boiler]]s which normally delivered {{convert|100000|shp|lk=in}}, but could deliver {{convert|110000|shp|abbr=on}} with forced draft.{{#tag:ref|The [[King George V-class battleship (1939)#Machinery|''King George V''-class]] battleships had their steam plant specifications revised during the building phase, and as built the ships actually produced 110,000 shp at 230 rpm, and were designed for an overload power of 125,000 shp, which was exceeded in service.<ref>Raven and Roberts, pp. 284, 304</ref><ref name="Garzke p. 191">Garzke, p. 191</ref>|group=N}}
She was powered by [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] geared [[steam turbine]]s, driving four propeller shafts. Steam was provided by eight [[Admiralty boiler]]s which normally delivered {{convert|100000|shp|lk=in}}, but could deliver {{convert|110000|shp|abbr=on}} with forced draft,{{#tag:ref|The [[King George V-class battleship (1939)#Machinery|''King George V''-class]] battleships had their steam plant specifications revised during the building phase, and as built the ships actually produced 110,000 shp at 230 rpm, and were designed for an overload power of 125,000 shp, which was exceeded in service.<ref>Raven and Roberts, pp. 284, 304</ref><ref name="Garzke p. 191">Garzke, p. 191</ref>|group=N}}
This gave ''Prince of Wales'' a top speed of {{convert|28|kn|lk=in}}.<ref name="K20" /><ref>Garzke, p. 238</ref> The ship carried {{convert|3542|LT|t|-2}} of fuel oil.<ref name="G253">Garzke, p. 253</ref> She also carried {{convert|180|LT|t|-2}} of diesel oil, {{convert|256|LT|t|-2}} of reserve feed water and {{convert|444|LT|t|-2}} of freshwater.<ref name="G253" /> During full-power trials on 31 March 1941, ''Prince of Wales'' at 42,100 tons displacement achieved 28 knots with 111,600 shp at 228 rpm and a specific fuel consumption of 0.73&nbsp;lb per shp.<ref>Brown 1995, p. 28.</ref> ''Prince of Wales'' had a range of {{convert|3100|nmi}} at {{convert|27|kn}}.<ref name=C6>Chesneau p. 6</ref>
for a top speed of {{convert|28|kn|lk=in}}.<ref name="K20" /><ref>Garzke, p. 238</ref> The ship carried {{convert|3542|LT|t|-2}} of fuel oil,<ref name="G253">Garzke, p. 253</ref> {{convert|180|LT|t|-2}} of diesel oil, {{convert|256|LT|t|-2}} of reserve feed water and {{convert|444|LT|t|-2}} of freshwater.<ref name="G253" /> During full-power trials on 31 March 1941, ''Prince of Wales'' at 42,100 tons displacement achieved 28 knots with 111,600 shp at 228 rpm and a specific fuel consumption of 0.73&nbsp;lb per shp.<ref>Brown 1995, p. 28.</ref> ''Prince of Wales'' had a range of {{convert|3100|nmi}} at {{convert|27|kn}}.<ref name=C6>Chesneau p. 6</ref>


=== Armament ===
=== Armament ===
[[File:Aboard British battleship HMS Prince of Wales.jpg|thumb|A part of ''Prince of Wales''<nowiki/>'s anti-aircraft armament: two of the eight-barreled [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|two-pounder pom-poms]] and two of the twin [[QF 5.25 inch gun|5.25 inch gun]] turrets.]]
[[File:Aboard British battleship HMS Prince of Wales.jpg|thumb|A part of ''Prince of Wales''<nowiki/>'s anti-aircraft armament: two of the eight-barreled [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|two-pounder pom-poms]] and two of the twin [[QF 5.25 inch gun|5.25 inch gun]] turrets.]]
''Prince of Wales'' mounted 10 [[BL 14 inch Mk VII naval gun|BL 14-inch (356 mm) Mk VII guns]]. The 14-inch guns were mounted in one Mark II twin turret forward and two Mark III quadruple turrets, one forward and one [[aft]]. The guns could be elevated 40 degrees and depressed 3 degrees. Training arcs were: turret "A", 286 degrees; turret "B", 270 degrees; turret "Y", 270 degrees. Training and elevating was done by hydraulic drives, with rates of two and eight degrees per second, respectively. A full gun [[Broadside (naval)|broadside]] weighed {{convert|15950|lb|kg}}, and a [[salvo]] could be fired every 40 seconds.<ref>Garzke, p. 227</ref> The secondary armament consisted of 16 [[QF 5.25 inch Mark I naval gun|QF 5.25-inch (133 mm) Mk I guns]] which were mounted in eight twin mounts, weighing 81 tons each.<ref name="G229">Garzke, p. 229</ref> The maximum range of the Mk I guns was {{convert|24070|yd|m|1}} at a 45-degree elevation, the anti-aircraft ceiling was {{convert|49000|ft|m|1}}. The guns could be elevated to 70 degrees and depressed to 5 degrees.<ref>Garzke, p. 228</ref> The normal rate of fire was ten to twelve rounds per minute, but in practice, the guns could only fire seven to eight [[rounds per minute]].<ref name="G229" /> Along with her main and secondary batteries, ''Prince of Wales'' carried 32 [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|QF 2 pdr (1.575-inch, 40.0 mm) Mk.VIII]] "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns. She also carried 80 [[Unrotated Projectile|UP projectors]], short-range rocket-firing anti-aircraft weapons used in the early days of the Second World War by the Royal Navy.<ref name="C6" />
''Prince of Wales'' mounted 10 [[BL 14 inch Mk VII naval gun|BL 14-inch (356 mm) Mk VII guns]], mounted in one Mark II twin turret forward and two Mark III quadruple turrets, one forward and one [[aft]]. The guns could be elevated 40 degrees and depressed 3 degrees. Training arcs were: turret "A", 286 degrees; turret "B", 270 degrees; turret "Y", 270 degrees. Training and elevating was done by hydraulic drives, with rates of two and eight degrees per second, respectively. A full gun [[Broadside (naval)|broadside]] weighed {{convert|15950|lb|kg}}, and a [[salvo]] could be fired every 40 seconds.<ref>Garzke, p. 227</ref> The secondary armament consisted of 16 [[QF 5.25 inch Mark I naval gun|QF 5.25-inch (133 mm) Mk I guns]] mounted in eight twin mounts, weighing 81 tons each.<ref name="G229">Garzke, p. 229</ref> The maximum range of the Mk I guns was {{convert|24070|yd|m|1}} at a 45-degree elevation, the anti-aircraft ceiling was {{convert|49000|ft|m|1}}. The guns could be elevated to 70 degrees and depressed to 5 degrees.<ref>Garzke, p. 228</ref> The normal rate of fire was ten to twelve rounds per minute, but in practice, the guns could only fire seven to eight [[rounds per minute]].<ref name="G229" /> ''Prince of Wales'' also carried 32 [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|QF 2 pdr (1.575-inch, 40.0 mm) Mk.VIII]] "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns and 80 [[Unrotated Projectile|UP projectors]], short-range rocket-firing anti-aircraft weapons used in the early days of the Second World War by the Royal Navy.<ref name="C6" />


== Operational service ==
== Operational service ==
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[[File:Winston Churchill on board the battleship HMS PRINCE OF WALES during his journey to America to meet President Roosevelt, August 1941. H12784.jpg|thumb|Prime Minister Winston Churchill on board ''Prince of Wales'' during his journey across the Atlantic to meet with President Roosevelt, 10-12 August 1941]]
[[File:Winston Churchill on board the battleship HMS PRINCE OF WALES during his journey to America to meet President Roosevelt, August 1941. H12784.jpg|thumb|Prime Minister Winston Churchill on board ''Prince of Wales'' during his journey across the Atlantic to meet with President Roosevelt, 10-12 August 1941]]
[[File:HMS Prince of Wales (53) in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, in August 1941 (NH 67194-A).jpg|thumb|''Prince of Wales'' off Newfoundland, after ferrying Churchill for the Atlantic Charter Conference]]
[[File:HMS Prince of Wales (53) in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, in August 1941 (NH 67194-A).jpg|thumb|''Prince of Wales'' off Newfoundland, after ferrying Churchill for the Atlantic Charter Conference]]
After repairs at Rosyth, ''Prince of Wales'' took Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]] across the Atlantic for a secret conference with [[President of the United States|US President]] [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].<ref name="C12">Chesneau, p. 12</ref> On 5 August Roosevelt boarded the cruiser {{USS|Augusta|CA-31|6}} from the [[presidential yacht]] {{USS|Potomac|AG-25|2}}. ''Augusta'' proceeded from Massachusetts to [[Placentia Bay]] and [[Argentia]] in [[Dominion of Newfoundland|Newfoundland]] with the cruiser {{USS|Tuscaloosa|CA-37|6}} and five destroyers, arriving on 7 August while ''Potomac'' played a decoy role by continuing to cruise New England waters as if the president were still on board. On 9 August, Churchill arrived in the bay aboard ''Prince of Wales'', escorted by the destroyers [[USS Shubrick (DD-268)|HMS ''Ripley'']], {{HMCS|Assiniboine|I18|6}} and {{HMCS|Restigouche|H00|6}}.<ref>Rohwer p. 90</ref> At Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Roosevelt transferred to the destroyer {{USS|McDougal|DD-358|6}} to meet Churchill on board ''Prince of Wales''. The conference continued from 10 to 12 August aboard ''Augusta'' and, at the end of the conference, the [[Atlantic Charter]] was proclaimed.<ref>Rohwer p. 91</ref> ''Prince of Wales'' arrived back at Scapa Flow on 18 August.<ref name="C12" />
After repairs at Rosyth, ''Prince of Wales'' took Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]] across the Atlantic for the secret [[Atlantic Conference]] (Codename: ''Riviera'') with [[President of the United States|US President]] [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].<ref name="C12">Chesneau, p. 12</ref> On 5 August Roosevelt boarded the cruiser {{USS|Augusta|CA-31|6}} from the [[presidential yacht]] {{USS|Potomac|AG-25|2}}. ''Augusta'' proceeded from Massachusetts to [[Placentia Bay]] and [[Argentia]] in [[Dominion of Newfoundland|Newfoundland]] with the cruiser {{USS|Tuscaloosa|CA-37|6}} and five destroyers, arriving on 7 August while ''Potomac'' played a decoy role by continuing to cruise New England waters as if the president were still on board. On 9 August, Churchill arrived in the bay aboard ''Prince of Wales'', escorted by the destroyers [[USS Shubrick (DD-268)|HMS ''Ripley'']], {{HMCS|Assiniboine|I18|6}} and {{HMCS|Restigouche|H00|6}}.<ref>Rohwer p. 90</ref> At Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Roosevelt transferred to the destroyer {{USS|McDougal|DD-358|6}} to meet Churchill on board ''Prince of Wales''. The conference continued from 10 to 12 August aboard ''Augusta'' and, at the end of the conference, the [[Atlantic Charter]] was proclaimed.<ref>Rohwer p. 91</ref> ''Prince of Wales'' arrived back at Scapa Flow on 18 August.<ref name="C12" />


=== Mediterranean duty ===
=== Mediterranean duty ===
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{{Main|Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse}}
{{Main|Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse}}


On 25 October ''Prince of Wales'' and a destroyer escort left home waters bound for [[Singapore]], there to rendezvous with the battlecruiser {{HMS|Repulse|1916|2}} and the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Indomitable|92|2}}. ''Indomitable'' however ran aground off [[Jamaica]] a few days later and was unable to proceed. Calling at [[Freetown]] and [[Cape Town]] South Africa to refuel and generate publicity, ''Prince of Wales'' also stopped in [[Mauritius]] and the [[Maldive Islands]]. ''Prince of Wales'' reached [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka|Ceylon]], on 28 November, joining ''Repulse'' the next day. On 2 December the fleet docked in Singapore.<ref name="C12" /> ''Prince of Wales'' then became the flagship of [[Force Z]], under the command of [[Admiral (Royal Navy)|Admiral]] [[Tom Phillips (Royal Navy officer)|Sir Tom Phillips]].<ref>Dull, p. 36</ref> Admiral of the Home Fleet [[Sir John Tovey]] was opposed to sending any of the new ''King George V'' battleships as he believed that they were not suited to operating in tropical climates.<ref name="pacificwrecks.com">{{Cite web |last=Garzke |first=William H. |last2=Dulin |first2=Robert O. |last3=Denlay |first3=Kevin V. |title=DEATH OF A BATTLESHIP. THE LOSS OF HMS PRINCE OF WALES. December 10, 1941. A Marine Forensics. Analysis of the Sinking |url=https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/death-of-a-battleship-2012-update.pdf |access-date=17 March 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327195109/https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/death-of-a-battleship-2012-update.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On 25 October ''Prince of Wales'' and a destroyer escort left home waters bound for [[Singapore]], there to rendezvous with the battlecruiser {{HMS|Repulse|1916|2}} and the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Indomitable|92|2}}. ''Indomitable'' however ran aground off [[Jamaica]] a few days later and was unable to proceed. Calling at [[Freetown]] and [[Cape Town]] South Africa to refuel and generate publicity, ''Prince of Wales'' also stopped in [[Mauritius]] and the [[Maldive Islands]]. ''Prince of Wales'' reached [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka|Ceylon]], on 28 November, joining ''Repulse'' the next day. On 2 December the fleet docked in Singapore.<ref name="C12" /> ''Prince of Wales'' then became the flagship of [[Force Z]], under the command of [[Admiral (Royal Navy)|Admiral]] [[Tom Phillips (Royal Navy officer)|Sir Tom Phillips]].<ref>Dull, p. 36</ref> Admiral of the Home Fleet [[Sir John Tovey]] was opposed to sending any of the new ''King George V'' battleships as he believed that they were not suited to operating in tropical climates.<ref name="PacificWrecks2012">{{Cite web |last1=Garzke |first1=William H. |last2=Dulin |first2=Robert O. Jr. |last3=Denlay |first3=Kevin V. |title=Death of a Battleship. The Loss of HMS ''Prince of Wales'' December 10, 1941. A Marine Forensics Analysis of the Sinking |work=PacificWrecks.com |url=https://pacificwrecks.com/ship/hms/prince-of-wales/death-of-a-battleship-2012-update.pdf |access-date=12 November 2024 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327195109/https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/death-of-a-battleship-2012-update.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>


[[File:HMS Prince of Wales Singapore (041562).jpg|thumb|''Prince of Wales'' departing Singapore to intercept Japanese transports approaching Malaya, 8 December 1941]]
[[File:HMS Prince of Wales Singapore (041562).jpg|thumb|''Prince of Wales'' departing Singapore to intercept Japanese transports approaching Malaya, 8 December 1941]]
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[[File:HMS Prince of Wales in first torpedo attack-EN.svg|thumb|left|''Prince of Wales'' in the first torpedo attack]]
[[File:HMS Prince of Wales in first torpedo attack-EN.svg|thumb|left|''Prince of Wales'' in the first torpedo attack]]


At 11:00 that morning the first Japanese air attack began. Eight [[Mitsubishi G3M|Type 96 "Nell"]] bombers dropped their bombs close to ''Repulse'', one passing through the hangar roof and exploding on the 1-inch plating of the main deck below. The second attack force, comprising seventeen "Nells" armed with torpedoes, arrived at 11:30, divided into two attack formations. Despite reports to the contrary, ''Prince of Wales'' was struck by only one torpedo.<ref>Denlay, Kevin. Expedition 'Job 74' 2007 survey report. https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/expedition-job74.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918172155/https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/expedition-job74.pdf |date=18 September 2021 }}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">Garzke, William; Dulin, Robert; Denlay, Kevin: ''[https://www.pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/death-of-a-battleship-2012-update.pdf Death of a Battleship: The Loss of HMS Prince of Wales. A Marine Forensics Analysis of the Sinking]''</ref> Meanwhile, ''Repulse'' avoided the seven torpedoes aimed at her, as well as bombs dropped by six other "Nells" a few minutes later.
At 11:00 that morning the first Japanese air attack began. Eight [[Mitsubishi G3M|Type 96 "Nell"]] bombers dropped their bombs close to ''Repulse'', one passing through the hangar roof and exploding on the 1-inch plating of the main deck below. The second attack force, comprising seventeen "Nells" armed with torpedoes, arrived at 11:30, divided into two attack formations. Despite reports to the contrary, ''Prince of Wales'' was struck by only one torpedo.<ref name="Job74">{{cite web |last1=Denlay |first=Kevin |title=Expedition 'Job 74' |work=PacificWrecks.com |url=https://pacificwrecks.com/ship/hms/prince-of-wales/expedition-job74.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918172155/https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/expedition-job74.pdf |archive-date=18 September 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="PacificWrecks2012" /> Meanwhile, ''Repulse'' avoided the seven torpedoes aimed at her, as well as bombs dropped by six other "Nells" a few minutes later.


The torpedo struck ''Prince of Wales'' on the port side aft, abaft "Y" Turret, wrecking the outer [[drive shaft|propeller shaft]] on that side and destroying bulkheads to one degree or another along the shaft all the way to B Engine Room. This caused rapid uncontrollable flooding<ref name="autogenerated1" /> and put the entire electrical system in the after part of the ship out of action. Lacking effective damage control, she soon took on a heavy [[Angle of list|list]].<ref name="C13">Chesneau, p. 13</ref>
The torpedo struck ''Prince of Wales'' on the port side aft, abaft "Y" Turret, wrecking the outer [[drive shaft|propeller shaft]] on that side and destroying bulkheads to one degree or another along the shaft all the way to B Engine Room. This caused rapid uncontrollable flooding<ref name="PacificWrecks2012" /> and put the entire electrical system in the after part of the ship out of action. Lacking effective damage control, she soon took on a heavy [[Angle of list|list]].<ref name="C13">Chesneau, p. 13</ref>


A third torpedo attack developed against ''Repulse'' and once again she avoided taking any hits.
A third torpedo attack developed against ''Repulse'' and once again she avoided taking any hits.
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[[File:The Sinking of HMS Prince of Wales by Japanese Aircraft Off Malaya, December 1941 HU2675.jpg|thumb|The crew of the sinking ''Prince of Wales'' abandoning ship to the destroyer {{HMS|Express|H61|2}}]]
[[File:The Sinking of HMS Prince of Wales by Japanese Aircraft Off Malaya, December 1941 HU2675.jpg|thumb|The crew of the sinking ''Prince of Wales'' abandoning ship to the destroyer {{HMS|Express|H61|2}}]]


A fourth attack, conducted by torpedo-carrying [[Mitsubishi G4M|Type 1 "Bettys"]], developed. This one scored hits on ''Repulse'' and she sank at 12:33. Six aircraft from this wave also attacked ''Prince of Wales'', hitting her with three torpedoes,<ref>Denlay, Kevin. Expedition 'Job 74' 2007 survey report. https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/expedition-job74.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918172155/https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/expedition-job74.pdf |date=18 September 2021 }}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1" /> causing further damage and flooding. Finally, a {{convert|500|kg|adj=on}} bomb hit ''Prince of Wales'''s catapult deck, penetrated to the main deck, where it exploded, causing many casualties in the makeshift aid centre in the Cinema Flat. Several other bombs from this attack scored very near misses, indenting the hull, popping rivets and causing hull plates to split along the seams and intensifying the flooding.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> At 13:15 the order to abandon ship was given, and at 13:20 ''Prince of Wales'' capsized to port, floated for a few brief moments upside down, and sank stern first;<ref name="autogenerated1" /> Admiral Phillips and Captain Leach were among the 327 fatalities.<ref name="C13" />
A fourth attack, conducted by torpedo-carrying [[Mitsubishi G4M|Type 1 "Bettys"]], developed. This one scored hits on ''Repulse'' and she sank at 12:33. Six aircraft from this wave also attacked ''Prince of Wales'', hitting her with three torpedoes,<ref name="Job74" /><ref name="PacificWrecks2012" /> causing further damage and flooding. Finally, a {{convert|500|kg|adj=on}} bomb hit ''Prince of Wales'''s catapult deck, penetrated to the main deck, where it exploded, causing many casualties in the makeshift aid centre in the Cinema Flat. Several other bombs from this attack scored very near misses, indenting the hull, popping rivets and causing hull plates to split along the seams and intensifying the flooding.<ref name="PacificWrecks2012" /> At 13:15 the order to abandon ship was given, and at 13:20 ''Prince of Wales'' capsized to port, floated for a few brief moments upside down, and sank stern first;<ref name="PacificWrecks2012" /> Admiral Phillips and Captain Leach were among the 327 fatalities.<ref name="C13" />


=== Aftermath ===
=== Aftermath ===


''Prince of Wales'' and ''Repulse'' were the first capital ships to be sunk solely by naval air power on the open sea (albeit by land-based rather than carrier-based aircraft), a harbinger of the diminishing role this class of ships was to play in naval warfare thereafter. It is often pointed out, however, that contributing factors to the sinking of ''Prince of Wales'' were her surface-scanning [[radar]]s being inoperable in the humid tropic climate, depriving Force Z of one of its most potent early-warning devices, and the critical early damage she sustained from the first torpedo. Another factor which led to ''Prince of Wales''{{'}}s demise was the loss of her [[dynamo]]s, depriving ''Prince of Wales'' of many of her electric pumps. Further electrical failures left parts of the ship in total darkness, and added to the difficulties of her damage repair parties as they attempted to counter the flooding.<ref>Garzke p. 206</ref>
''Prince of Wales'' and ''Repulse'' were the first capital ships to be sunk solely by naval air power on the open sea (albeit by land-based rather than carrier-based aircraft), a harbinger of the diminishing role this class of ships was to play in naval warfare thereafter. It is often pointed out, however, that contributing factors to the sinking of ''Prince of Wales'' were her surface-scanning [[radar]]s being inoperable in the humid tropic climate, depriving Force Z of one of its most potent early-warning devices, and the critical early damage she sustained from the first torpedo. Another factor which led to ''Prince of Wales''{{'}}s demise was the loss of her [[dynamo]]s, depriving ''Prince of Wales'' of many of her electric pumps. Further electrical failures left parts of the ship in total darkness, and added to the difficulties of her damage repair parties as they attempted to counter the flooding.<ref>Garzke p. 206</ref>
The sinking was the subject of an inquiry chaired by [[Alfred Townsend Bucknill|Mr. Justice Bucknill]], but the true causes of the ship's loss were only established when divers examined the wreck after the war. The Director of Naval Construction's report on the sinking claimed that the ship's anti-aircraft guns could have inflicted heavy casualties before torpedoes were dropped, if not preventing the successful conclusion of attack had crews been more adequately trained in their operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=4547444&CATLN=6&accessmethod=5|title=Loss of HMS ''Prince of Wales'': reports of 2nd Bucknill Committee, etc|publisher=The Admiralty|access-date=6 June 2009}}</ref><ref name="pacificwrecks.com"/>
The sinking was the subject of an inquiry chaired by [[Alfred Townsend Bucknill|Mr. Justice Bucknill]], but the true causes of the ship's loss were only established when divers examined the wreck after the war. The Director of Naval Construction's report on the sinking claimed that the ship's anti-aircraft guns could have inflicted heavy casualties before torpedoes were dropped, if not preventing the successful conclusion of attack had crews been more adequately trained in their operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=4547444&CATLN=6&accessmethod=5|title=Loss of HMS ''Prince of Wales'': reports of 2nd Bucknill Committee, etc|publisher=The Admiralty|access-date=6 June 2009}}</ref><ref name="PacificWrecks2012" />


=== The wreck ===
=== The wreck ===
Line 155: Line 155:
A Royal Navy White Ensign attached to a line on a buoy tied to a propeller shaft is periodically renewed. The wreck site was designated a 'Protected Place' in 2001 under the [[Protection of Military Remains Act 1986]], just prior to the 60th anniversary of her sinking. The [[ship's bell]] was manually raised in 2002 by British technical divers with the permission of the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and blessing of the Force Z Survivors Association. It was restored, then presented for display by [[First Sea Lord]] and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral [[Alan West, Baron West of Spithead|Sir Alan West]], to the [[Merseyside Maritime Museum]] in Liverpool. The bell has been since moved to the [[National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth|National Museum of the Royal Navy]] at the [[Portsmouth Historic Dockyard]] for display in the Hear My Story Galleries.
A Royal Navy White Ensign attached to a line on a buoy tied to a propeller shaft is periodically renewed. The wreck site was designated a 'Protected Place' in 2001 under the [[Protection of Military Remains Act 1986]], just prior to the 60th anniversary of her sinking. The [[ship's bell]] was manually raised in 2002 by British technical divers with the permission of the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and blessing of the Force Z Survivors Association. It was restored, then presented for display by [[First Sea Lord]] and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral [[Alan West, Baron West of Spithead|Sir Alan West]], to the [[Merseyside Maritime Museum]] in Liverpool. The bell has been since moved to the [[National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth|National Museum of the Royal Navy]] at the [[Portsmouth Historic Dockyard]] for display in the Hear My Story Galleries.


In May 2007, Expedition 'Job 74',<ref>Denlay, Kevin. Expedition 'Job 74' 2007 survey report. https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/expedition-job74.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918172155/https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/expedition-job74.pdf |date=18 September 2021 }}</ref> a dedicated survey of the exterior hull of both ''Prince of Wales'' and ''Repulse'', was conducted. The expedition's findings sparked considerable interest among naval architects and marine engineers around the world; as they detailed the nature of the damage to ''Prince of Wales'' and the exact location and number of torpedo strike holes. Consequently, the findings contained in the initial expedition report<ref>Denlay, Kevin. Expedition 'Job 74' 2007 survey report. https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/expedition-job74.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918172155/https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/expedition-job74.pdf |date=18 September 2021 }}</ref> and later supplementary reports<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/pow-stern-damage.pdf |title=HMS ''Prince of Wales'' – Stern Damage Survey |author=Denlay, Kevin |publisher=Pacific Wrecks.com |access-date=18 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/pow-hull-damage.pdf |title=Description of the Lower Hull Indentation Damage on the ''Prince of Wales'' |author=Denlay, Kevin |publisher=Pacific Wrecks.com |access-date=18 May 2012}}</ref> were analysed by the SNAME (Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers)<ref>[http://www.sname.org/Home/ Home – Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912105857/http://www.sname.org/home/ |date=12 September 2011 }}. Sname.org. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.</ref> Marine Forensics Committee and a resultant paper was drawn up entitled ''Death of a Battleship: A Re-analysis of the Tragic Loss of HMS Prince of Wales'', and was subsequently presented at a meeting of RINA (Royal Institution of Naval Architects)<ref>[http://www.rina.org.uk/ The Royal Institution of Naval Architects]. RINA. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.</ref> and IMarEST (Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology)<ref>[http://www.imarest.org/ The IMarEST]. The IMarEST. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.</ref> members in London in 2009 by Mr William Garzke. This report was also presented to the IMarEST, this time in New York, in 2011. However, in 2012 the original paper was updated and expanded (and renamed ''Death of a Battleship: The Loss of HMS Prince of Wales. A Marine Forensics Analysis of the Sinking''<ref name="autogenerated1" />) in light of a subsequent diver being able to penetrate deep into the port outer propeller shaft tunnel with a high definition camera, taking photos along the entire length of the propeller shaft all the way to the aft bulkhead of 'B' Engine Room.
In May 2007, Expedition 'Job 74',<ref name="Job74" /> a dedicated survey of the exterior hull of both ''Prince of Wales'' and ''Repulse'', was conducted. The expedition's findings sparked considerable interest among naval architects and marine engineers around the world; as they detailed the nature of the damage to ''Prince of Wales'' and the exact location and number of torpedo strike holes. Consequently, the findings contained in the initial expedition report<ref name="Job74" /> and later supplementary reports<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pacificwrecks.com/ship/hms/prince-of-wales/pow-stern-damage.pdf |title=HMS ''Prince of Wales'' – Stern Damage Survey |last=Denlay |first=Kevin |work=PacificWrecks.com |access-date=18 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pacificwrecks.com/ship/hms/prince-of-wales/pow-hull-damage.pdf |title=Description of the Lower Hull Indentation Damage on the ''Prince of Wales'' |last=Denlay |first=Kevin |work=PacificWrecks.com |access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref> were analysed by the SNAME (Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers)<ref>[http://www.sname.org/Home/ Home – Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912105857/http://www.sname.org/home/ |date=12 September 2011 }}. Sname.org. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.</ref> Marine Forensics Committee and a resultant paper was drawn up entitled ''Death of a Battleship: A Re-analysis of the Tragic Loss of HMS Prince of Wales'', and was subsequently presented at a meeting of RINA (Royal Institution of Naval Architects)<ref>[http://www.rina.org.uk/ The Royal Institution of Naval Architects]. RINA. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.</ref> and IMarEST (Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology)<ref>[http://www.imarest.org/ The IMarEST]. The IMarEST. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.</ref> members in London in 2009 by Mr William Garzke. This report was also presented to the IMarEST, this time in New York, in 2011. However, in 2012 the original paper was updated and expanded (and renamed ''Death of a Battleship: The Loss of HMS Prince of Wales. A Marine Forensics Analysis of the Sinking''<ref name="PacificWrecks2012" />) in light of a subsequent diver being able to penetrate deep into the port outer propeller shaft tunnel with a high-definition camera, taking photos along the entire length of the propeller shaft all the way to the aft bulkhead of 'B' Engine Room.


In October 2014, the ''Daily Telegraph'' reported that both ''Prince of Wales'' and ''Repulse'' were being "extensively damaged" with explosives by scrap metal dealers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/11187603/Celebrated-British-warships-being-stripped-bare-for-scrap-metal.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/11187603/Celebrated-British-warships-being-stripped-bare-for-scrap-metal.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Celebrated British warships being stripped bare for scrap metal|author1=Julian Ryall, Tokyo |author2=Joel Gunter|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=25 October 2014|access-date=26 October 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It is a tradition for passing Royal Navy ships to perform a remembrance service over the site of the wrecks.<ref>Rasor p. 98</ref> In May 2023, it was reported that a Chinese ship, ''Chuan Hong 68'', illegally scavenged the wreck for its [[low-background steel]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grady |first=John |date=2023-05-25 |title=U.K. Royal Navy ‘Distressed and Concerned’ by Illegal Chinese Salvage of WWII Wrecks |url=https://news.usni.org/2023/05/25/u-k-royal-navy-distressed-and-concerned-by-illegal-chinese-salvage-of-wwii-wrecks |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=[[USNI News]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Seidel |first=Jamie |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Chinese salvage ship caught red-handed looting battleship wrecks |work=[[news.com.au]] |url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/chinese-salvage-ship-caught-redhanded-looting-battleship-wrecks/news-story/169b13b741a4842edaaad2727e90d37d |access-date=May 26, 2023}}</ref> In July 2024, this same vessel, ''Chuan Hong 68'', suspected of not only looting the wrecks of Force Z <ref>https://thisismast.org/maritime-observatory/chuan-hong-68.html</ref> but other WWII wrecks in Asian water's, was back 'working' in the region and was subsequently detained by Malaysia authorities for ‘paperwork violations’.<ref> https://news.usni.org/2024/07/04/chinese-ship-suspected-of-raiding-world-war-ii-wrecks-detained?ct=t%28USNI_NEWS_DAILY%29&mc_cid=9d31d94771&mc_eid=7eecb75fa4</ref>
In October 2014, the ''Daily Telegraph'' reported that both ''Prince of Wales'' and ''Repulse'' were being "extensively damaged" with explosives by scrap metal dealers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/11187603/Celebrated-British-warships-being-stripped-bare-for-scrap-metal.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/11187603/Celebrated-British-warships-being-stripped-bare-for-scrap-metal.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Celebrated British warships being stripped bare for scrap metal|author1=Julian Ryall, Tokyo |author2=Joel Gunter|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=25 October 2014|access-date=26 October 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It is a tradition for passing Royal Navy ships to perform a remembrance service over the site of the wrecks.<ref>Rasor p. 98</ref> In May 2023, it was reported that a Chinese ship, ''Chuan Hong 68'', illegally scavenged the wreck for its [[low-background steel]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grady |first=John |date=2023-05-25 |title=U.K. Royal Navy 'Distressed and Concerned' by Illegal Chinese Salvage of WWII Wrecks |url=https://news.usni.org/2023/05/25/u-k-royal-navy-distressed-and-concerned-by-illegal-chinese-salvage-of-wwii-wrecks |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=[[USNI News]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Seidel |first=Jamie |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Chinese salvage ship caught red-handed looting battleship wrecks |work=[[news.com.au]] |url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/chinese-salvage-ship-caught-redhanded-looting-battleship-wrecks/news-story/169b13b741a4842edaaad2727e90d37d |access-date=May 26, 2023}}</ref> In July 2024, this same vessel, ''Chuan Hong 68'', suspected of not only looting the wrecks of Force Z <ref>{{cite web | url=https://thisismast.org/maritime-observatory/chuan-hong-68.html | title=Chuan Hong 68 and looting of multiple WW2 wrecks including HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse }}</ref> but other World War II wrecks in Asian waters, was back 'working' in the region and was subsequently detained by Malaysia authorities for 'paperwork violations'.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2024/07/04/chinese-ship-suspected-of-raiding-world-war-ii-wrecks-detained?ct=t%28USNI_NEWS_DAILY%29&mc_cid=9d31d94771&mc_eid=7eecb75fa4 |title=Chinese Ship Suspected of Raiding World War II Wrecks Detained |first=John |last=Grady |date=4 July 2024 |work=USNI News |publisher=U.S. Naval Institute}}</ref>


===Replica bell for successor===
===Replica bell for successor===


In spring 2019, Cammell Laird was commissioned to make a replica of the ship's bell for the ship's successor, {{HMS|Prince of Wales|R09}}, the second {{sclass|Queen Elizabeth|aircraft carrier|1}}. The original at the National Museum of the Royal Navy's Portsmouth Historic Dockyard location was surveyed as part of the process. Cammell Laird were able to contact Utley Offshore in St Helens, the foundry that made the original bell and that of {{RMS|Titanic}}, who still had the pattern based on the 1908 Admiralty design. Compared to the bronze or bell metal that is used in most modern ship bells, nickel silver was used for authenticity. The engraving was done by Shawcross in Birkenhead, while Cammell Laird shipwrights constructed the hardwood base. Cammell Laird COO Tony Graham presented the finished replica to commanding officer Captain Darren Houston during the ship's week-long visit to Liverpool in March 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.clbh.co.uk/project-news/cammell-laird-presents-replica-historic-prince-wales-bell-crew-britains-newest-aircraft-carrier|title=Cammell Laird Presents Replica of Historic ''Prince of Wales'' Bell to Crew of Britain's Newest Aircraft Carrier|date=30 March 2020|website=Cammell Laird|access-date=5 January 2021|archive-date=28 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628120227/https://www.clbh.co.uk/project-news/cammell-laird-presents-replica-historic-prince-wales-bell-crew-britains-newest-aircraft-carrier|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cammell Laird presents replica of historic Prince of Wales bell to crew of Britain’s newest aircraft carrier - Polaris Media |url=https://polarismediapr.com/2020/03/05/cammell-laird-presents-replica-of-historic-prince-of-wales-bell-to-crew-of-britains-newest-aircraft-carrier/ |publisher=Polaris Media PR |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=5 March 2020}}</ref>
In spring 2019, Cammell Laird was commissioned to make a replica of the ship's bell for the ship's successor, {{HMS|Prince of Wales|R09}}, the second {{sclass|Queen Elizabeth|aircraft carrier|1}}. The original at the National Museum of the Royal Navy's Portsmouth Historic Dockyard location was surveyed as part of the process. Cammell Laird were able to contact Utley Offshore in St Helens, the foundry that made the original bell and that of {{RMS|Titanic}}, which still had the pattern based on the 1908 Admiralty design. Compared to the bronze or bell metal that is used in most modern ship bells, nickel silver was used for authenticity. The engraving was done by Shawcross in Birkenhead, while Cammell Laird shipwrights constructed the hardwood base. Cammell Laird COO Tony Graham presented the finished replica to commanding officer Captain Darren Houston during the ship's week-long visit to Liverpool in March 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.clbh.co.uk/project-news/cammell-laird-presents-replica-historic-prince-wales-bell-crew-britains-newest-aircraft-carrier|title=Cammell Laird Presents Replica of Historic ''Prince of Wales'' Bell to Crew of Britain's Newest Aircraft Carrier|date=30 March 2020|website=Cammell Laird|access-date=5 January 2021|archive-date=28 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628120227/https://www.clbh.co.uk/project-news/cammell-laird-presents-replica-historic-prince-wales-bell-crew-britains-newest-aircraft-carrier|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cammell Laird presents replica of historic Prince of Wales bell to crew of Britain's newest aircraft carrier - Polaris Media |url=https://polarismediapr.com/2020/03/05/cammell-laird-presents-replica-of-historic-prince-of-wales-bell-to-crew-of-britains-newest-aircraft-carrier/ |publisher=Polaris Media PR |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=5 March 2020}}</ref>


== Refits ==
== Refits ==
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===Web===
===Web===
* [https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/expedition-job74.pdf The survey report of the wreck of HMS Prince of Wales compiled after Expedition 'Job 74', May 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918172155/https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/expedition-job74.pdf |date=18 September 2021 }}
* [https://pacificwrecks.com/ship/hms/prince-of-wales/expedition-job74.pdf The survey report of the wreck of HMS ''Prince of Wales'' compiled after Expedition 'Job 74', May 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918172155/https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/expedition-job74.pdf |date=18 September 2021 }}
* [https://www.pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/death-of-a-battleship-2012-update.pdf 2012 update analysis of the loss of Prince of Wales, by Garzke, Dulin and Denlay]
* [https://www.pacificwrecks.com/ship/hms/prince-of-wales/death-of-a-battleship-2012-update.pdf 2012 update analysis of the loss of ''Prince of Wales'', by Garzke, Dulin and Denlay]
* [http://www.pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/pow-hull-damage.pdf Description of lower hull indentation damage on wreck of HMS Prince of Wales]
* [https://www.pacificwrecks.com/ship/hms/prince-of-wales/pow-hull-damage.pdf Description of lower hull indentation damage on wreck of HMS ''Prince of Wales'']
* [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080950_en_1 SI 2008/0950] Current designation under Protection of Military Remains Act 1986
* [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080950_en_1 SI 2008/0950] Current designation under Protection of Military Remains Act 1986
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110611053726/http://www.navynews.co.uk/articles/2001/0111/0001111201.asp Navy News 2001] Announcement of designation under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110611053726/http://www.navynews.co.uk/articles/2001/0111/0001111201.asp Navy News 2001] Announcement of designation under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986
* [http://www.pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/prince_of_wales/pow-stern-damage.pdf Link to a 2008 survey report, specifically regarding the stern torpedo damage to PoW.]
* [https://www.pacificwrecks.com/ship/hms/prince-of-wales/pow-stern-damage.pdf Link to a 2008 survey report concerning the stern torpedo damage to ''Prince of Wales''.]
* {{cite web|title=ADM 234/509: H. M. S. Prince of Wales' Gunnery Aspects of the "Bismarck" Pursuit|url=http://www.hmshood.org.uk/reference/official/adm234/adm234-509guns.htm|publisher=The Admiralty|access-date=6 June 2009}}
* {{cite web|title=ADM 234/509: H. M. S. ''Prince of Wales''{{'}} Gunnery Aspects of the ''Bismarck'' Pursuit|url=http://www.hmshood.org.uk/reference/official/adm234/adm234-509guns.htm|publisher=The Admiralty|access-date=6 June 2009}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=4547444&CATLN=6&accessmethod=5|title=ADM 116/4521: Loss of HMS Prince of Wales: reports of 2nd Bucknill Committee, etc|publisher=The Admiralty|access-date=6 June 2009}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=4547444&CATLN=6&accessmethod=5|title=ADM 116/4521: Loss of HMS ''Prince of Wales'': reports of 2nd Bucknill Committee, etc|publisher=The Admiralty|access-date=6 June 2009}}
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/RN/BS-14_POW+Repulse/index.html Naval Staff History Second World War Battle Summary No. 14 (revised) Loss of H. M. Ships Prince of Wales and Repulse 10 December 1941.]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/RN/BS-14_POW+Repulse/index.html Naval Staff History Second World War Battle Summary No. 14 (revised) Loss of H. M. Ships ''Prince of Wales'' and ''Repulse'' 10 December 1941.]


== External links ==
== External links ==
Line 235: Line 235:
[[Category:Ships built on the River Mersey]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Mersey]]
[[Category:Military of Singapore under British rule]]
[[Category:Military of Singapore under British rule]]
[[Category:Protected Wrecks of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Protected wrecks of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II battleships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II battleships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the South China Sea]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the South China Sea]]

Latest revision as of 21:48, 9 December 2024

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Prince of Wales.

3°33′36″N 104°28′42″E / 3.56000°N 104.47833°E / 3.56000; 104.47833

Prince of Wales arrives at Singapore, 4 December 1941
History
United Kingdom
NamePrince of Wales
NamesakeThe title of Prince of Wales
Ordered29 July 1936
BuilderCammell Laird, Birkenhead
Laid down1 January 1937
Launched3 May 1939
Completed31 March 1941
Commissioned19 January 1941
IdentificationPennant number: 53
Motto"Ich Dien" – German: "I serve"
Nickname(s)PoW
FateSunk by Japanese air attack, 10 December 1941
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeKing George V-class battleship
Displacement43,786 long tons (44,489 t) (deep)
Length745 ft 1 in (227.1 m) (overall)
Beam103 ft 2 in (31.4 m)
Draught34 ft 4 in (10.5 m)
Installed power
Propulsion4 shafts; 4 sets geared turbines
Speed28.3 knots (52.4 km/h; 32.6 mph)
Range15,600 nmi (28,900 km; 18,000 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Complement1,521 (1941)
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
Armour
Aircraft carried4 Supermarine Walrus seaplanes
Aviation facilities1 × catapult

HMS Prince of Wales was a King George V-class battleship of the Royal Navy that was built at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead. Despite being sunk less than a year after she was commissioned, Prince of Wales had an extensive battle history, first seeing action in August 1940 while still being outfitted in her drydock, when she was attacked and damaged by German aircraft. In her brief career, she was involved in several key actions of the Second World War, including the May 1941 Battle of the Denmark Strait where she scored three hits on the German battleship Bismarck, forcing Bismarck to abandon her raiding mission and head to port for repairs. Prince of Wales later escorted one of the Malta convoys in the Mediterranean, during which she was attacked by Italian aircraft. In her final action, she attempted to intercept Japanese troop convoys off the coast of Malaya as part of Force Z when she was sunk by Japanese aircraft on 10 December 1941, two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

She was sunk alongside her consort, the battlecruiser HMS Repulse, in an attack by 85 Mitsubishi G3M and G4M bombers of the Japanese navy air service. Prince of Wales and Repulse became the first capital ships to be sunk solely by air power on the open sea, a harbinger of the diminishing role this class of ships was subsequently to play in naval warfare. The wreck of Prince of Wales lies upside down in 223 feet (68 m) of water, near Kuantan, in the South China Sea.

In the 21st century, her wreck was illegally salvaged by scrap metal dealers.[1]

Construction

[edit]

In the aftermath of the First World War, the Washington Naval Treaty was drawn up in 1922 in an effort to stop an arms race developing between Britain, Japan, France, Italy and the United States. This treaty limited the number of ships each nation was allowed to build and capped the tonnage of all capital ships at 35,000 tons.[2] These restrictions were extended in 1930 through the Treaty of London, however, by the mid-1930s Japan and Italy had withdrawn from both of these treaties, and the British became concerned about a lack of modern battleships within their navy. As a result, the Admiralty ordered the construction of a new battleship class: the King George V class. Due to the provisions of both the Washington Naval Treaty and the Treaty of London, both of which were still in effect when the King George Vs were being designed, the main armament of the class was limited to the 14-inch (356 mm) guns prescribed under these instruments. They were the only battleships built at that time to adhere to the treaty, and even though it soon became apparent to the British that the other signatories to the treaty were ignoring its requirements, it was too late to change the design of the class before they were laid down in 1937.[3]

Prince of Wales was originally to be named King Edward VIII but upon the abdication of Edward VIII the ship was renamed at Cammell Laird's shipyard in Birkenhead on 1 January 1937, before being laid down. She was launched on 3 May 1939. She was still fitting out when war was declared in September, causing her construction schedule, and that of her sister, King George V, to be accelerated. Nevertheless, the late delivery of gun mountings caused delays in her outfitting.[4]

In early August 1940, while she was still being outfitted and was in a semi-complete state, Prince of Wales was attacked by German aircraft. One bomb fell between the ship and a wet basin wall, narrowly missing a 100-ton dockside crane, and exploded underwater below the bilge keel, about six feet from the ship's port side in the vicinity of the aft group of 5.25-inch guns. The shell plating buckled over a distance of 20 to 30 feet (6.1 to 9.1 m), rivets were sprung and there was considerable flooding in the port outboard compartments in the area of damage, causing a ten-degree list to port. The flooding was severe, because final compartment air tests had not yet been made and the ship did not have her pumping system in operation.[4]

The water was pumped out through the joint efforts of a local fire company and the shipyard, and Prince of Wales was later dry-docked for permanent repairs. This damage and the problem with the delivery of her main guns and turrets delayed her completion. As the war progressed there was an urgent need for capital ships, and so her completion was advanced by postponing compartment air tests, ventilation tests and thorough testing of her bilge, ballast and fuel-oil systems.[4]

Description

[edit]
Main article: King George V-class battleship
Bridge view of Prince of Wales's forecastle while the ship is underway.

Prince of Wales displaced 36,727 long tons (37,300 t) as built and 43,786 long tons (44,500 t) fully loaded. The ship had an overall length of 745 feet (227.1 m), a beam of 103 feet (31.4 m) and a draught of 29 feet (8.8 m). Her designed metacentric height was 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) at normal load and 8 feet 1 inch (2.46 m) at deep load.[5][6]

She was powered by Parsons geared steam turbines, driving four propeller shafts. Steam was provided by eight Admiralty boilers which normally delivered 100,000 shaft horsepower (75,000 kW), but could deliver 110,000 shp (82,000 kW) with forced draft,[N 1] for a top speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph).[3][9] The ship carried 3,542 long tons (3,600 t) of fuel oil,[10] 180 long tons (200 t) of diesel oil, 256 long tons (300 t) of reserve feed water and 444 long tons (500 t) of freshwater.[10] During full-power trials on 31 March 1941, Prince of Wales at 42,100 tons displacement achieved 28 knots with 111,600 shp at 228 rpm and a specific fuel consumption of 0.73 lb per shp.[11] Prince of Wales had a range of 3,100 nautical miles (5,700 km; 3,600 mi) at 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph).[12]

Armament

[edit]
A part of Prince of Wales's anti-aircraft armament: two of the eight-barreled two-pounder pom-poms and two of the twin 5.25 inch gun turrets.

Prince of Wales mounted 10 BL 14-inch (356 mm) Mk VII guns, mounted in one Mark II twin turret forward and two Mark III quadruple turrets, one forward and one aft. The guns could be elevated 40 degrees and depressed 3 degrees. Training arcs were: turret "A", 286 degrees; turret "B", 270 degrees; turret "Y", 270 degrees. Training and elevating was done by hydraulic drives, with rates of two and eight degrees per second, respectively. A full gun broadside weighed 15,950 pounds (7,230 kg), and a salvo could be fired every 40 seconds.[13] The secondary armament consisted of 16 QF 5.25-inch (133 mm) Mk I guns mounted in eight twin mounts, weighing 81 tons each.[14] The maximum range of the Mk I guns was 24,070 yards (22,009.6 m) at a 45-degree elevation, the anti-aircraft ceiling was 49,000 feet (14,935.2 m). The guns could be elevated to 70 degrees and depressed to 5 degrees.[15] The normal rate of fire was ten to twelve rounds per minute, but in practice, the guns could only fire seven to eight rounds per minute.[14] Prince of Wales also carried 32 QF 2 pdr (1.575-inch, 40.0 mm) Mk.VIII "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns and 80 UP projectors, short-range rocket-firing anti-aircraft weapons used in the early days of the Second World War by the Royal Navy.[12]

Operational service

[edit]

Action with Bismarck

[edit]
Main article: Battle of the Denmark Strait
Prince of Wales shortly after she was commissioned, lowering a Supermarine Walrus flying boat over her side.

On 22 May 1941, Prince of Wales, the battlecruiser Hood and six destroyers were ordered to take station south of Iceland and intercept the German battleship Bismarck if she attempted to break out into the Atlantic. Captain John Leach knew that main-battery breakdowns were likely to occur, since Vickers-Armstrongs technicians had already corrected some that took place during training exercises in Scapa Flow. These technicians were personally requested by the captain to remain aboard. They did so and played an important role in the resulting action.[16]

The next day Bismarck, in company with the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, was reported heading south-westward in the Denmark Strait. At 20:00 Vice-Admiral Lancelot Holland, in his flagship Hood, ordered the force to steam at 27 knots (50 km/h), which it did most of the night. His battle plan called for Prince of Wales and Hood to concentrate on Bismarck, while the cruisers Norfolk and Suffolk would handle Prinz Eugen. However the two cruisers were not informed of this plan because of strict radio silence. At 02:00, on 24 May, the destroyers were sent as a screen to search for the German ships to the north, and at 02:47 Hood and Prince of Wales increased speed to 28 knots (52 km/h) and changed course slightly to obtain a better target angle on the German ships. The weather improved, with 10-mile (16 km) visibility, and crews were at action stations by 05:10.[16]

At 05:37 an enemy contact report was made, and course was changed to starboard to close range. Neither ship was in good fighting trim. Hood, designed twenty-five years earlier, lacked adequate decking armour and would have to close the range quickly, as she would become progressively less vulnerable to plunging shellfire at shorter ranges. She had completed an overhaul in March and her crew had not been adequately retrained. Prince of Wales, with thicker armour, was less vulnerable to 15-inch shells at ranges greater than 17,000 feet (5,200 m), but her crew had also not been trained to battle efficiency. The British ships made their last course change at 05:49, but they had made their approach too fine (the German ships were only 30 degrees on the starboard bow) and their aft turrets could not fire. Prinz Eugen, with Bismarck astern, had Prince of Wales and Hood slightly forward of the beam, and both ships could deliver full broadsides.[17]

At 05:53, despite seas breaking over the bows, Prince of Wales opened fire on Bismarck at 26,500 yards (24,200 m).[18] There was some confusion among the British as to which ship was Bismarck and thirty seconds earlier Hood had mistakenly opened fire on Prinz Eugen as the German ships had similar profiles. Hood's first salvo straddled the enemy ship, but Prinz Eugen, in less than three minutes, scored 8-inch-shell hits on Hood. The first shots by Prince of Wales – two three-gun salvoes at ten-second intervals – were 1,000 yards over.[17] The turret rangefinders on Prince of Wales could not be used because of spray over the bow and fire was instead directed from the 15-foot (4.6 m) rangefinders in the control tower.[19]

The sixth, ninth and thirteenth salvos were straddles[18] and two hits were made on Bismarck. One shell holed her bow and caused Bismarck to lose 1,000 tons of fuel oil, mostly to salt-water contamination. The other fell short, and entered Bismarck below her side armour belt, the shell exploded and flooded the auxiliary boiler machinery room and forced the shutdown of two boilers due to a slow leak in the boiler room immediately aft. The loss of fuel and boiler power were decisive factors in the Bismarck's decision to return to port.[20] In Prince of Wales, "A1" gun ceased fire after the first salvo due to a defect.[18] Sporadic breakdowns occurred until the decision to turn away was made, and during the turn "Y" turret jammed.[18]

Both German ships initially concentrated their fire on Hood and destroyed her with salvoes of 8- and 15-inch shells. An 8-inch shell hit the boat deck and struck a ready service locker for ammunition, and a fire blazed high above the first superstructure deck. At 05:58 at a range of 16,500 yards (15,100 m), the force commander ordered a turn of 20 degrees to port to open the range and bring the full battery of the British ships to bear on Bismarck. As the turn began, Bismarck straddled Hood with her third and fourth four-gun salvoes and at 06:01 the fifth salvo hit her, causing a large explosion. Flames shot up near Hood's masts, then an orange-coloured fireball and an enormous smoke cloud obliterated the ship. On Prince of Wales, it seemed that Hood collapsed amidships, and the bow and stern could be seen rising as she rapidly settled. Prince of Wales made a sharp starboard turn to avoid hitting the debris and in doing so further closed the range between her and the German ships. In the four-minute action, Hood, the largest battlecruiser in the world, had been sunk. 1,419 officers and men were killed. Only three men survived.[19]

Painting by J.C. Schmitz-Westerholt, depicting Prince of Wales in the foreground manoeuvring past the sinking wreck of the Hood.

Prince of Wales fired unopposed until she began a port turn at 05:57, when Prinz Eugen took her under fire. After Hood exploded at 06:01, the Germans opened intense and accurate fire on Prince of Wales, with 15-inch, 8-inch and 5.9-inch guns. A heavy hit was sustained below the waterline as Prince of Wales manoeuvred past the wreckage of Hood. At 06:02, a 15-inch shell struck the starboard side of the compass platform and killed the majority of the personnel there. The navigating officer was wounded, but Captain Leach was unhurt. Casualties were caused by the fragments from the shell's ballistic cap and the material it dislodged in its diagonal path through the compass platform.[19] A 15-inch diving shell penetrated the ship's side below the armour belt amidships, failed to explode and came to rest in the wing compartments on the starboard side of the after boiler rooms. The shell was discovered and defused when the ship was docked at Rosyth.[21]

At 06:05 Captain Leach decided to disengage and laid down a heavy smokescreen to cover Prince of Wales's escape. Leach then radioed Norfolk that Hood had been sunk and went to join Suffolk 15 to 17 miles (24 to 27 km) astern of Bismarck. The British ships continued to chase Bismarck until 18:16 when Suffolk sighted the German battleship at 22,000 yards (20,000 m). Prince of Wales then opened fire on Bismarck at an extreme range of 30,300 yards (27,700 m). All 12 salvos missed. At 01:00 on 25 May Prince of Wales again regained contact and opened fire at a radar range of 20,000 yards (18,000 m), after observers believed that she had scored a hit on Bismarck, Prince of Wales's "A" turret temporarily jammed, leaving her with only six operational guns.[18] After losing sight of Bismarck owing to poor visibility, and after searching for 12 hours, Prince of Wales headed for Iceland.[22] Thirteen of her crew had been killed, and nine wounded.[23]

On Friday 6 June, while in dry dock, a hole was found just above the starboard bilge keel. After the inner space had been pumped out, an unexploded shell from Bismarck was found nose forward, with its fuse, but without a ballistic cap. The shell was removed by the Bomb Disposal Officer from HMS Cochrane[24]

Atlantic Charter meeting

[edit]
Prime Minister Winston Churchill on board Prince of Wales during his journey across the Atlantic to meet with President Roosevelt, 10-12 August 1941
Prince of Wales off Newfoundland, after ferrying Churchill for the Atlantic Charter Conference

After repairs at Rosyth, Prince of Wales took Prime Minister Winston Churchill across the Atlantic for the secret Atlantic Conference (Codename: Riviera) with US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.[25] On 5 August Roosevelt boarded the cruiser USS Augusta from the presidential yacht Potomac. Augusta proceeded from Massachusetts to Placentia Bay and Argentia in Newfoundland with the cruiser USS Tuscaloosa and five destroyers, arriving on 7 August while Potomac played a decoy role by continuing to cruise New England waters as if the president were still on board. On 9 August, Churchill arrived in the bay aboard Prince of Wales, escorted by the destroyers HMS Ripley, HMCS Assiniboine and HMCS Restigouche.[26] At Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Roosevelt transferred to the destroyer USS McDougal to meet Churchill on board Prince of Wales. The conference continued from 10 to 12 August aboard Augusta and, at the end of the conference, the Atlantic Charter was proclaimed.[27] Prince of Wales arrived back at Scapa Flow on 18 August.[25]

Mediterranean duty

[edit]

In September 1941, Prince of Wales was assigned to Force H, in the Mediterranean. On 24 September Prince of Wales formed part of Group II, led by Vice-Admiral Alban Curteis and consisting of the battleships Prince of Wales and Rodney, the cruisers Kenya, Edinburgh, Sheffield and Euryalus, and twelve destroyers. The force provided an escort for Operation Halberd, a supply convoy from Gibraltar to Malta.[28] On 27 September the convoy was attacked by Italian aircraft, with Prince of Wales shooting down several with her 5.25-inch (133 mm) guns.[8] Later that day there were reports that units of the Italian Fleet were approaching. Prince of Wales, the battleship Rodney and the aircraft carrier Ark Royal were despatched to intercept, but the search proved fruitless. The convoy arrived in Malta without further incident, and Prince of Wales returned to Gibraltar, before sailing on to Scapa Flow, arriving there on 6 October.[25]

Far East

[edit]
Main article: Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse

On 25 October Prince of Wales and a destroyer escort left home waters bound for Singapore, there to rendezvous with the battlecruiser Repulse and the aircraft carrier Indomitable. Indomitable however ran aground off Jamaica a few days later and was unable to proceed. Calling at Freetown and Cape Town South Africa to refuel and generate publicity, Prince of Wales also stopped in Mauritius and the Maldive Islands. Prince of Wales reached Colombo, Ceylon, on 28 November, joining Repulse the next day. On 2 December the fleet docked in Singapore.[25] Prince of Wales then became the flagship of Force Z, under the command of Admiral Sir Tom Phillips.[29] Admiral of the Home Fleet Sir John Tovey was opposed to sending any of the new King George V battleships as he believed that they were not suited to operating in tropical climates.[30]

Prince of Wales departing Singapore to intercept Japanese transports approaching Malaya, 8 December 1941

Japanese troop-convoys were first sighted on 6 December. Two days later, Japanese aircraft raided Singapore; although the Prince of Wales's anti-aircraft batteries opened fire, they scored no hits and had no effect on the Japanese aircraft. A signal was received from the Admiralty in London ordering the British squadron to commence hostilities, and that evening, confident that a protective air umbrella would be provided by the RAF presence in the region, Admiral Phillips set sail. Force Z at this time comprised the battleship Prince of Wales, the battlecruiser Repulse, and the destroyers Electra, Express, Tenedos and HMAS Vampire.[31]

The object of the sortie was to attack Japanese transports at Kota Bharu, but in the afternoon of 9 December the Japanese submarine I-65 spotted the British ships, and in the evening they were detected by Japanese aerial reconnaissance. By this time it had been made clear that no RAF fighter support would be forthcoming. At midnight a signal was received that Japanese forces were landing at Kuantan in Malaya. Force Z was diverted to investigate. At 02:11 on 10 December the force was again sighted by a Japanese submarine and at 08:00 arrived off Kuantan, only to discover that the reported landings were a diversion.[31]

Prince of Wales in the first torpedo attack

At 11:00 that morning the first Japanese air attack began. Eight Type 96 "Nell" bombers dropped their bombs close to Repulse, one passing through the hangar roof and exploding on the 1-inch plating of the main deck below. The second attack force, comprising seventeen "Nells" armed with torpedoes, arrived at 11:30, divided into two attack formations. Despite reports to the contrary, Prince of Wales was struck by only one torpedo.[32][30] Meanwhile, Repulse avoided the seven torpedoes aimed at her, as well as bombs dropped by six other "Nells" a few minutes later.

The torpedo struck Prince of Wales on the port side aft, abaft "Y" Turret, wrecking the outer propeller shaft on that side and destroying bulkheads to one degree or another along the shaft all the way to B Engine Room. This caused rapid uncontrollable flooding[30] and put the entire electrical system in the after part of the ship out of action. Lacking effective damage control, she soon took on a heavy list.[33]

A third torpedo attack developed against Repulse and once again she avoided taking any hits.

The crew of the sinking Prince of Wales abandoning ship to the destroyer Express

A fourth attack, conducted by torpedo-carrying Type 1 "Bettys", developed. This one scored hits on Repulse and she sank at 12:33. Six aircraft from this wave also attacked Prince of Wales, hitting her with three torpedoes,[32][30] causing further damage and flooding. Finally, a 500-kilogram (1,100 lb) bomb hit Prince of Wales's catapult deck, penetrated to the main deck, where it exploded, causing many casualties in the makeshift aid centre in the Cinema Flat. Several other bombs from this attack scored very near misses, indenting the hull, popping rivets and causing hull plates to split along the seams and intensifying the flooding.[30] At 13:15 the order to abandon ship was given, and at 13:20 Prince of Wales capsized to port, floated for a few brief moments upside down, and sank stern first;[30] Admiral Phillips and Captain Leach were among the 327 fatalities.[33]

Aftermath

[edit]

Prince of Wales and Repulse were the first capital ships to be sunk solely by naval air power on the open sea (albeit by land-based rather than carrier-based aircraft), a harbinger of the diminishing role this class of ships was to play in naval warfare thereafter. It is often pointed out, however, that contributing factors to the sinking of Prince of Wales were her surface-scanning radars being inoperable in the humid tropic climate, depriving Force Z of one of its most potent early-warning devices, and the critical early damage she sustained from the first torpedo. Another factor which led to Prince of Wales's demise was the loss of her dynamos, depriving Prince of Wales of many of her electric pumps. Further electrical failures left parts of the ship in total darkness, and added to the difficulties of her damage repair parties as they attempted to counter the flooding.[34] The sinking was the subject of an inquiry chaired by Mr. Justice Bucknill, but the true causes of the ship's loss were only established when divers examined the wreck after the war. The Director of Naval Construction's report on the sinking claimed that the ship's anti-aircraft guns could have inflicted heavy casualties before torpedoes were dropped, if not preventing the successful conclusion of attack had crews been more adequately trained in their operation.[35][30]

The wreck

[edit]
A schematic of the torpedo damage to the stern of HMS Prince of Wales, 10 December 1941 is shown as if the ship was upright (that is, the wreck is upside down and this image is sometimes seen 'reversed').

The wreck lies upside down in 223 feet (68 m) of water at 3°33′36″N 104°28′42″E / 3.56000°N 104.47833°E / 3.56000; 104.47833.

A Royal Navy White Ensign attached to a line on a buoy tied to a propeller shaft is periodically renewed. The wreck site was designated a 'Protected Place' in 2001 under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, just prior to the 60th anniversary of her sinking. The ship's bell was manually raised in 2002 by British technical divers with the permission of the Ministry of Defence and blessing of the Force Z Survivors Association. It was restored, then presented for display by First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Alan West, to the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool. The bell has been since moved to the National Museum of the Royal Navy at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard for display in the Hear My Story Galleries.

In May 2007, Expedition 'Job 74',[32] a dedicated survey of the exterior hull of both Prince of Wales and Repulse, was conducted. The expedition's findings sparked considerable interest among naval architects and marine engineers around the world; as they detailed the nature of the damage to Prince of Wales and the exact location and number of torpedo strike holes. Consequently, the findings contained in the initial expedition report[32] and later supplementary reports[36][37] were analysed by the SNAME (Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers)[38] Marine Forensics Committee and a resultant paper was drawn up entitled Death of a Battleship: A Re-analysis of the Tragic Loss of HMS Prince of Wales, and was subsequently presented at a meeting of RINA (Royal Institution of Naval Architects)[39] and IMarEST (Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology)[40] members in London in 2009 by Mr William Garzke. This report was also presented to the IMarEST, this time in New York, in 2011. However, in 2012 the original paper was updated and expanded (and renamed Death of a Battleship: The Loss of HMS Prince of Wales. A Marine Forensics Analysis of the Sinking[30]) in light of a subsequent diver being able to penetrate deep into the port outer propeller shaft tunnel with a high-definition camera, taking photos along the entire length of the propeller shaft all the way to the aft bulkhead of 'B' Engine Room.

In October 2014, the Daily Telegraph reported that both Prince of Wales and Repulse were being "extensively damaged" with explosives by scrap metal dealers.[41] It is a tradition for passing Royal Navy ships to perform a remembrance service over the site of the wrecks.[42] In May 2023, it was reported that a Chinese ship, Chuan Hong 68, illegally scavenged the wreck for its low-background steel.[43][44] In July 2024, this same vessel, Chuan Hong 68, suspected of not only looting the wrecks of Force Z [45] but other World War II wrecks in Asian waters, was back 'working' in the region and was subsequently detained by Malaysia authorities for 'paperwork violations'.[46]

Replica bell for successor

[edit]

In spring 2019, Cammell Laird was commissioned to make a replica of the ship's bell for the ship's successor, HMS Prince of Wales (R09), the second Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier. The original at the National Museum of the Royal Navy's Portsmouth Historic Dockyard location was surveyed as part of the process. Cammell Laird were able to contact Utley Offshore in St Helens, the foundry that made the original bell and that of RMS Titanic, which still had the pattern based on the 1908 Admiralty design. Compared to the bronze or bell metal that is used in most modern ship bells, nickel silver was used for authenticity. The engraving was done by Shawcross in Birkenhead, while Cammell Laird shipwrights constructed the hardwood base. Cammell Laird COO Tony Graham presented the finished replica to commanding officer Captain Darren Houston during the ship's week-long visit to Liverpool in March 2020.[47][48]

Refits

[edit]

During her career, Prince of Wales was refitted on several occasions, to bring her equipment up to date. The following are the dates and details of the refits undertaken.[49]

Dates Location Description of Work
May 1941 Rosyth 4 × Type 282 radar and 4 × Type 285 radar added.[50]
June–July 1941 Rosyth UP projectors removed. 2 × 8-barrelled and 1 × 4-barrelled 2-pdr pom-poms added. Type 271 radar added.[50][51]
November 1941 Cape Town 7 × single 20 mm added.[50]

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The King George V-class battleships had their steam plant specifications revised during the building phase, and as built the ships actually produced 110,000 shp at 230 rpm, and were designed for an overload power of 125,000 shp, which was exceeded in service.[7][8]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ Blair, Gavin (30 May 2023). "Malaysia seizes Chinese ship suspected of looting wartime British wrecks". The Times. London. Retrieved 30 May 2023. While on a tour of Malaysia in 2017, the then Prince Charles was shown evidence of the previous scavenging of the ship
  2. ^ Raven and Roberts, p. 107
  3. ^ a b Konstam, p. 20
  4. ^ a b c Garzke p. 177
  5. ^ Campbell, p. 15
  6. ^ Garzke, p. 249
  7. ^ Raven and Roberts, pp. 284, 304
  8. ^ a b Garzke, p. 191
  9. ^ Garzke, p. 238
  10. ^ a b Garzke, p. 253
  11. ^ Brown 1995, p. 28.
  12. ^ a b Chesneau p. 6
  13. ^ Garzke, p. 227
  14. ^ a b Garzke, p. 229
  15. ^ Garzke, p. 228
  16. ^ a b Garzke pp. 177–79
  17. ^ a b Garzke p. 179
  18. ^ a b c d e ADM 234/509
  19. ^ a b c Garzke p. 180
  20. ^ "Asmussen, John. The Bismarck Escapes". Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  21. ^ Raven and Roberts p. 351
  22. ^ Garzke p. 190
  23. ^ Tarrant 1991, p. 58.
  24. ^ "H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood–The History of H.M.S. Hood: The Battle of the Denmark Strait Documentation Resource, Battle Damage Sustained by H.M.S. Prince of Wales, 24 May 1941". www.hmshood.com. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  25. ^ a b c d Chesneau, p. 12
  26. ^ Rohwer p. 90
  27. ^ Rohwer p. 91
  28. ^ Rohwer p. 103
  29. ^ Dull, p. 36
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h Garzke, William H.; Dulin, Robert O. Jr.; Denlay, Kevin V. "Death of a Battleship. The Loss of HMS Prince of Wales December 10, 1941. A Marine Forensics Analysis of the Sinking" (PDF). PacificWrecks.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  31. ^ a b Chesneau, pp. 12–13
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  33. ^ a b Chesneau, p. 13
  34. ^ Garzke p. 206
  35. ^ "Loss of HMS Prince of Wales: reports of 2nd Bucknill Committee, etc". The Admiralty. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
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  37. ^ Denlay, Kevin. "Description of the Lower Hull Indentation Damage on the Prince of Wales" (PDF). PacificWrecks.com. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  38. ^ Home – Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers Archived 12 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Sname.org. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
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  42. ^ Rasor p. 98
  43. ^ Grady, John (25 May 2023). "U.K. Royal Navy 'Distressed and Concerned' by Illegal Chinese Salvage of WWII Wrecks". USNI News. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  44. ^ Seidel, Jamie (23 May 2023). "Chinese salvage ship caught red-handed looting battleship wrecks". news.com.au. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
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  47. ^ "Cammell Laird Presents Replica of Historic Prince of Wales Bell to Crew of Britain's Newest Aircraft Carrier". Cammell Laird. 30 March 2020. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  48. ^ "Cammell Laird presents replica of historic Prince of Wales bell to crew of Britain's newest aircraft carrier - Polaris Media". Polaris Media PR. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  49. ^ Chesneau p. 52
  50. ^ a b c Konstam p. 37
  51. ^ Chesneau p. 53

Bibliography

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