Three More Weird and Wacky British Warships

In this episode, we explore some of the most unusual and innovative ships in the history of the Royal Navy during the 20th century. Known for its power and influence, the Royal Navy wasn't afraid to push the boundaries of naval design, resulting in some truly unique vessels. Today, we spotlight three of the most intriguing examples: HMS Centurion, HMS Argus, and the M-Class submarines.

First, we look at HMS Centurion, a King George V-class super dreadnought that was a force to be reckoned with in World War I. Launched in 1911 and armed with ten 13.5-inch guns, Centurion served in key naval engagements, including the Battle of Jutland. However, after the war, the ship’s life took an unusual turn. Rather than being scrapped, Centurion was converted into a radio-controlled target ship, and later, during World War II, was disguised as a decoy battleship to mislead the enemy, proving that even obsolete warships could find new, albeit peculiar, roles.

Next, we examine the M-Class submarines, a bizarre and ambitious attempt to combine the stealth of a submarine with the firepower of a battleship. Launched during World War I, these submarines were equipped with a 12-inch gun, originally intended for battleships. The idea was to surface, fire a devastating broadside, and then quickly dive to avoid counterattack. However, the concept proved impractical, as the submarines were slow to submerge and the gun’s effectiveness was questionable. The class was eventually deemed a failure, with only three being built. One of them, HMS M1, tragically sank after a collision in 1925, marking the end of this unusual chapter in naval design. Her sister ships, M2 and M3 had some rather odd and unique conversions.

Lastly, we feature HMS Argus, a ship that marked a significant milestone in naval aviation history. Originally laid down as an Italian liner, Argus was converted into the world’s first full-length flat-top aircraft carrier. Commissioned in 1918, her design was revolutionary, allowing aircraft to take off and land on a flush deck without the obstruction of superstructures. Despite her modest size and slow speed, Argus was crucial in the development of naval aviation tactics, bridging the gap between seaplane carriers and the more advanced fleet carriers that would dominate World War II. Though she never saw combat herself, Argus served as a training and trials ship, influencing the design of future carriers.

Intro 0:00
HMS Centurion 0:42
M Class 13:44
HMS Argus 21:15
Conclusion 26:48

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Sources/Other Reading:

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Gun-Monito...

https://www.amazon.com/British-Aircra...

https://www.amazon.com/Castles-Steel-...

https://www.amazon.com/British-Battle...

https://www.amazon.com/British-Battle...

https://www.amazon.com/British-Battle...

https://www.amazon.com/British-Submar...

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