The battleship with the most confirmed sinkings of enemy ships during its operational career is generally considered to be the Japanese battleship Kirishima, a Kongo-class battlecruiser upgraded to a fast battleship. Kirishima's involvement in various naval engagements of World War II led to significant sinkings and damage to Allied ships, but it's worth noting that battleships were not the primary ship type for sinking enemy vessels. That role often fell to aircraft carriers, submarines, and smaller warships.
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However, if we consider battleships in terms of direct gun engagements, USS Washington (BB-56) of the United States Navy also stands out. Here’s why:
USS Washington and Its Combat Record
Sinking of IJN Kirishima:
During the Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942, USS Washington engaged and sank the Japanese battleship Kirishima. This was a rare instance of a direct battleship-versus-battleship engagement during World War II.
Washington's precise and devastating firepower proved decisive, hitting Kirishima repeatedly and causing catastrophic damage that led to its scuttling.
Other Contributions:
While not directly credited with numerous individual ship sinkings, Washington supported various naval operations, providing shore bombardment and anti-aircraft fire, contributing to the broader Allied naval effort.
IJN Kirishima and the Early War
Kirishima had an active career during the early stages of World War II:
Participated in the Attack on Pearl Harbor as part of the Japanese carrier task force, though its role was supporting rather than directly engaging in ship sinkings.
Engaged in various naval battles during the Guadalcanal Campaign, where it helped inflict damage on Allied ships before its ultimate demise.
Limitations of Battleships in Ship Sinkings
Battleships were designed primarily for fleet engagements and shore bombardments rather than as ship-sinking platforms. The rise of air power and submarines during World War II diminished their role in directly sinking enemy vessels:
Aircraft carriers, with their air groups, sank far more ships than battleships.
Submarines, particularly those of the U.S. Navy in the Pacific, were the most effective ship-killers.
Honorable Mentions
HMS Warspite: A British battleship with an illustrious career, credited with sinking or damaging numerous enemy vessels, including during the Battle of Calabria and other Mediterranean engagements.