First World War HMS Repulse (1916)

repulse, circa 1916–17, after post-trials alterations

repulse laid down john brown, clydebank, scotland on 25 january 1915. ship launched on 8 january 1916 , completed on 18 august 1916, after battle of jutland. construction cost £2,829,087 (£ 145,490,000 in 2017). served grand fleet in north sea during remaining 2 years of first world war. repulse relieved hms lion flagship of 1st battlecruiser squadron duration of war.

second battle of heligoland bight

over course of 1917 admiralty became more concerned german efforts in north sea sweep paths through british-laid minefields intended restrict actions of high seas fleet , german submarines. preliminary raid on german minesweeping forces on 31 october light forces destroyed ten small ships , admiralty decided on larger operation destroy minesweepers , escorting light cruisers. based on intelligence reports admiralty decided on 17 november 1917 allocate 2 light cruiser squadrons, 1st cruiser squadron covered reinforced 1st bcs (less renown) and, more distantly, battleships of 1st battle squadron operation.

repulse in august 1918

the german ships, 4 light cruisers of ii scouting force, 8 destroyers, 3 divisions of minesweepers, 8 sperrbrechers (cork-filled trawlers, used detonate mines without sinking) , 2 trawlers mark swept route, spotted @ 7:30 a.m., silhouetted rising sun. light battlecruiser courageous , light cruiser cardiff opened fire forward guns 7 minutes later. germans responded laying effective smoke screen. british continued in pursuit, lost track of of smaller ships in smoke , concentrated fire on light cruisers opportunity permitted. repulse detached not long after , raced forward @ full speed engage enemy ships. opened fire @ 9:00, scoring single hit on light cruiser sms königsberg during battle. when german battleships sms kaiser , sms kaiserin spotted 9:50 british broke off pursuit , repulse covered retreat, aided heavy fog came down around 10:40. ship fired total of 54 15-inch shells during battle , scored 1 hit on light cruiser sms königsberg temporarily reduced speed.

on 12 december 1917, repulse damaged in collision battlecruiser hmas australia. ship present @ surrender of high seas fleet @ scapa flow on 21 november 1918.

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