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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo # NH 103678:  HMS Vanguard underway, circa 1946-1948

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- SHIPS of the BRITISH NAVY --

HMS Vanguard (Battleship, 1946-1960)

HMS Vanguard, a 44,500-ton (standard displacement) battleship, was built at Clydebank, Scotland. The last of the enormous number of British ships of the line, she was laid down in October 1941 with the intention of having a fast battleship in time for World War II employment. To this end, she was armed with old fifteen-inch guns on a hull of thoroughly modern design. Vanguard was completed in April 1946, eight months after the war had ended. In February-May 1947 she carried King George VI to South Africa and would have made another Royal Tour, this time to Australia, had the King's ill health not forced cancellation of the trip. During the first half of 1949 Vanguard served with the Mediterranean Fleet. Thereafter she was employed in the North Atlantic area, alternating as a training ship and as flagship of the Home Fleet. Kept in reserve after the mid-1950s, she was considered for conversion to a guided missile ship, but the great costs and technical uncertainties involved caused rejection of the idea. HMS Vanguard was scrapped beginning in August 1960.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have concerning the British battleship Vanguard of 1946.

For more images related to this ship, see:

  • HMS Vanguard (Battleship, 1946-1960) -- On Board Views.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 103677

    HMS Vanguard
    (British Battleship, 1946)

    Steaming at high speed while running trials in 1946.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 575 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103730

    HMS Vanguard
    (British Battleship, 1946)

    Underway in 1946, probably during her trials.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 565 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103732

    HMS Vanguard
    (British Battleship, 1946)

    At Capetown, South Africa, with King George VI on board, 1947.
    Note the Royal Standard flying from her mainmast peak.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 590 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103733

    HMS Vanguard
    (British Battleship, 1946)

    Underway at sea, photographed from the island of a British aircraft carrier.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 565 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103678

    HMS Vanguard
    (British Battleship, 1946)

    Underway, circa 1946-1948.
    This photograph was released by the U.S. Navy Office of Public Information on 21 April 1948.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 580 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103731

    HMS Vanguard
    (British Battleship, 1946)

    In a harbor.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 565 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103735

    HMS Vanguard
    (British Battleship, 1946)

    Underway at sea.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 580 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103734

    HMS Vanguard
    (British Battleship, 1946)

    Underway at sea.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 44KB; 740 x 380 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103736

    HMS Vanguard
    (British Battleship, 1946)

    At anchor in port, with boat booms out and a motor launch alongside.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 570 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103737

    HMS Vanguard
    (British Battleship, 1946)

    Underway, seen from directly overhead.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 158KB; 740 x 520 pixels

     

    For more images related to this ship, see:

  • HMS Vanguard (Battleship, 1946-1960) -- On Board Views.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 12 May 2006