HMS Nelson

Nelson-Class Battleships were built for the Royal Navy during the years of 1922 to 1925. The Nelsons were unique in British battleship construction, being the only ships to carry a main armament of nine 16-inch guns. The most unusual feature however, and one that is immediately noticeable, is that these were all carried forward of the bridge. There were 2 of this class built.

Nelson-Class Battleships served between the years of 1927 to 1947.

Preceded by:  Revenge class

Succeeded by: King George V class

Nelson-Class Battleships were HMS Nelson & Rodney. HMS Rodney was credited for her role in the sinking of the Bismarck in May 1941. At the climax of the battle Rodney, along with with HMS King George V, closed on Bismarck to bombard her at short range. Rodney's main guns were estimated to have 100 to 130 hits, contributing greatly to Bismarck's final destruction. Nelson & Rodney participated in the bombardment of targets in northern France during and after D-Day. In particular, during the Caen campaign Nelson was credited with destroying a group of five Tiger tanks which ventured into a red zone [within 40 km (25 mi) of the coast] deemed by the German command to be in range of Allied battleships.