HMS
Repulse, a 26,500-ton Renown class battlecruiser, was built at Clydebank,
Scotland. Completed in August 1916, she joined the Grand Fleet following
post-trials modifications and operated in the North Sea for the remainder
of World War I. The light protection of this class of two battlecruisers
was a considerable cause for concern and, soon after the Armistice,
Repulse received an extensive refit. This significantly increased her
armor, and her displacement, which rose some six-thousand tons. The
work was completed in 1922, after which the ship began a peacetime career
of fleet operations and long-distance cruises.
In 1933-36,
Repulse was again modernized, emerging with improved deck armor, a
hangar and catapult for aircraft, and a greatly increased anti-aircraft
gun battery. She operated with the Home Fleet in the North Sea and
Atlantic during the first two years of the Second World War, taking
part in the pursuit of the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941.
Later in the year she was sent to the Far East, accompanying the new
battleship Prince of Wales. The two ships arrived at Singapore just
before Japan began the Pacific War. As soon as hostilities commenced,
both steamed northwards to intercept a reported invasion force. While
returning to Singapore on 10 December 1941, Repulse and Prince of
Wales were attacked by Japanese high-level bombers and torpedo planes.
Repulse was moderately damaged by bombs early in the action and was
later hit by several torpedoes. After receiving this heavy underwater
damage, she sank rapidly, followed less than an hour later by the
Prince of Wales.
[Source:
British Navy Ships - HMS Repulse (Battlecruiser, 1916-1941)]
