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Erebus-class monitor

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Class overview
NameErebus
BuildersHarland and Wolff
Operators Royal Navy
In service1916 - 1946
In commissionAugust 1916
LostOne
General characteristics
TypeMonitor
Displacementlist error: <br /> list (help)
8,000 tons (standard)
8,450 tons (full load)
Length405 ft (123 m)
Beam88 ft (27 m)
Draught11 ft 8 in (3.56 m)
Propulsion4 oil fired boilers, 2 shaft reciprocating engines, 6,000 hp (4,500 kW)
Speed12 knots
Complement204, rising to 315 later
Armamentlist error: mixed text and list (help)
(Original):

(After refit):

Armourlist error: <br /> list (help)
Belt and bulkheads: 4 inch
Barbette: 8 inch
Turret: 13 inch
Deck: 4 inch
Anti-torpedo bulges: 9 ft (2.7 m) wide

The Erebus class of monitors of the Royal Navy consisted of two ships: HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.

  • HMS Erebus (I02) was built by Harland and Wolff, Govan. She was laid down 12 October 1915, launched on 19 June 1916 and commissioned in September 1916. After seeing service in both World Wars, Erebus was scrapped in 1946.
  • HMS Terror (I03) was built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast, Laid down 26 October 1915, launched 18 May 1916 and commissioned in August 1916. She saw extensive service in both World Wars. Terror was lost in the Mediterranean on 23 February 1941, after being damaged by Luftwaffe Ju-87 "Stuka" dive bombers the previous day.

Service

The class was to see most of its service in the Naval Gunfire Support (NGS) role. During World War I they operated off the German-occupied Belgian coast bombarding naval forces based at Ostend and Zeebrugge. HMS Erebus was damaged by a remote controlled explosive motor boat and HMS Terror was torpedoed by motor torpedo boats.

Both ships were placed in reserve between the wars but returned to service in World War II where they were again used to provide fire support to British troops.

HMS Erebus participated in the D-Day invasion as part of Task Force O off Omaha beach. (Anthony Beevor, "D-Day, The Battle for Normandy", p 81)

See also

References

  • Conway, All The World's Fighting Ships 1906-1921