The era of the battleship was one of immense power and influence, marking the height of naval dominance before air power and missile technology rendered these behemoths less practical. The title of the "last battleship" can be claimed by two ships depending on the context: the HMS Vanguard of the Royal Navy as the last traditional battleship built and the USS Missouri (BB-63) of the United States Navy as the last battleship to see significant action.
HMS Vanguard: The Final Traditional Battleship
The HMS Vanguard, commissioned in 1946, is widely considered the last true battleship ever constructed. Built for the Royal Navy, Vanguard was designed during World War II to bolster the fleet, though she was completed after the war had ended.
Key Features:
Armament: Vanguard carried eight 15-inch guns, originally salvaged from scrapped WWI-era ships. Despite their age, these guns were effective and reliable.
Design: She featured a modernized hull with advanced fire control systems, improved armor, and a sleek design for better speed and maneuverability.
Service: Unlike earlier battleships, Vanguard never saw combat. She primarily served as a flagship and participated in ceremonial duties, such as carrying the Royal Family on a 1947 tour of South Africa.
Significance:
HMS Vanguard symbolized the twilight of the battleship era. Although she was powerful and advanced, the post-war emphasis on air power and nuclear weapons rendered her anachronistic. Vanguard was decommissioned in 1960 and eventually scrapped, marking the end of the battleship lineage.
USS Missouri: The Last Active Battleship
While HMS Vanguard was the last battleship built, the USS Missouri (BB-63) is often regarded as the last battleship of historical significance. Part of the Iowa-class, Missouri was commissioned in 1944 and played a vital role in World War II, Korea, and even the Gulf War.
Key Features:
Armament: Missouri carried nine 16-inch guns, capable of firing shells over 20 miles, along with numerous secondary guns and anti-aircraft defenses.
Speed: As part of the Iowa-class, Missouri was among the fastest battleships ever built, reaching speeds of up to 33 knots.
Legacy: Missouri is best known as the site of Japan’s formal surrender on September 2, 1945, ending World War II.
Significance:
Missouri remained in service longer than any other battleship, seeing action decades after most other battleships were retired. She was finally decommissioned in 1992, closing the chapter on battleships as active combatants.