The title of the "worst battleship ever built" is often debated, as it depends on the criteria used, such as design flaws, performance in battle, or operational inefficiency. However, the French battleship Béarn and the Italian battleship Vittorio Veneto are often criticized, but another contender frequently discussed is the Russian (Soviet) battleship Gangut-class from World War I. Below are examples that highlight some of the perceived "worst" battleships and why they earn this dubious distinction.
1. The Gangut-Class Battleships (Imperial Russia/Soviet Union)
Why it was criticized:
Design flaws: The Gangut-class battleships, launched before World War I, were designed with limited input from experienced naval architects. Their armor protection and firepower were subpar compared to their contemporaries.
Poor seakeeping: These ships had serious stability issues and were notoriously poor in heavy seas, making them unsuitable for operations in the open ocean.
Outdated by the time of use: By the time of World War II, these ships were obsolete but still in use by the Soviet Navy.
Limited combat effectiveness: The Gangut-class battleships saw minimal significant action during their careers, despite their large size and expense.
2. The French Battleship Béarn
Why it was criticized:
Converted aircraft carrier: Originally planned as a battleship, Béarn was converted into an aircraft carrier but retained many design elements from its battleship origins, resulting in a slow and underwhelming ship.
Slow speed: Béarn could only manage 21 knots, which made it ineffective as a carrier in fleet actions during World War II.
Limited role: It had no significant combat achievements and was mainly used for transport and training.
3. The Italian Vittorio Veneto-Class Battleships
Why it was criticized:
Reliability issues: Italian battleships like Vittorio Veneto suffered from underperforming engines, fuel shortages, and frequent mechanical failures.
Limited success: Despite being well-armed and modern, these ships failed to achieve significant victories in battle due to cautious Italian naval doctrine.
Vulnerable to air attacks: Their anti-aircraft defenses were not as robust as those on American or British battleships, leaving them vulnerable to air raids.
4. Japanese Battleship Shinano
Why it was criticized:
Unfinished and unprepared: Shinano was originally planned as a super battleship but was hastily converted into an aircraft carrier. It sailed on its maiden voyage in an unfinished state, with inadequate watertight compartments and crew training.
Easily sunk: Shinano was sunk by a single US submarine (USS Archerfish) in 1944 after just 10 days of service, a humiliating loss given its size and cost.
5. American USS Maine (ACR-1)
Why it was criticized:
Design flaws: Although technically a pre-dreadnought, the USS Maine was poorly designed, with dangerous magazine placement that may have contributed to the catastrophic explosion that sank her in Havana Harbor in 1898.
Diplomatic disaster: Its destruction was a major political and military embarrassment for the US and sparked the Spanish-American War.