Walking with Ghosts, - WW1 Warships

A very brief overview of some of the warships used in the First World War is given below, with examples of some of the types of warship used by by the Royal Navy at that time. (Submarines are covered separately).
At the bottom of the page is a modern day Royal Navy warship, H M S Richmond, - of especial significance to the Green Howards, for you to compare with its predecessors.

Select a thumbnail image for a new window to open, in which you can find out further information on some of the warships of the Royal Navy as used in the First World War.
"HMS Ajax" King George V Class Super-Dreadnought Battleship		"HMS Marlborough" Iron Duke Class Dreadnought Battleship		"HMS Canopus" Canopus Class Pre-Dreadnought Battleship		"HMS Queen Mary" Lion Class Battle Cruiser
		"HMS Arethusa" Arethusa Class Light Armoured Cruiser		Destroyers

When war was declared, 4 August 1914, the British Navy's fleet comprised the following;-

14 Super-Dreadnought Battleships and Battle-Cruisers.
18 Dreadnought Battleships and Battle-Cruisers
38 Pre-Dreadnought Battleships
34 Armoured Cruisers
87 Fast, Light Cruisers
227 Destroyers
109 Torpedo Boats
75 Submarines
7 Minelayers
3 Repair Ships

This was a total strength of 612 ships.
The German Navy, in comparison, had 334 ships.
The modern British Navy has less than 100 ships.

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In order for you to be able to compare the Royal Navy warship from the First World War with a modern day Royal Navy equivalent, please select the image below. The ship used as an example is H M S Richmond, with which the Green Howards have a special Bond of Friendship (see the Friends of the Green Howards news item in respect of this).

H M S Richmond
((c) Crown Copyright, image from www.defenceimages.mod.uk)

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