The treaty-bound battleship that survived the hunt for the Bismarck

Countries & Cities · Published 13 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Designed under the strict weight limits of the Washington Naval Treaty, the HMS King George V was a masterpiece of compromise. While its heavy guns and massive boilers made it a formidable flagship, technical flaws and low freeboard meant the sea itself was often as much an enemy as the German Navy.

To comply with the 35,000-ton limitations of the Washington Naval Treaty, the King George V-class required significant engineering trade-offs. This resulted in a ship that, while powerful, struggled with stability. The design featured a low bow and reduced freeboard, which meant that even in moderate seas, waves frequently washed over the forward turrets. In heavy weather, the flooding was severe enough to dunc the 'A' turret, endangering both the crew and the ship's machinery.

Despite these structural vulnerabilities, the ship was a centerpiece of British naval power. Powered by eight Admiralty boilers producing over 100,000 shaft horsepower, it was the fastest battleship in the British fleet, capable of reaching 28 knots. Its primary armament consisted of ten 14-inch guns distributed across one twin turret and two quadruple turrets. However, the complexity of making these quadruple mounts 'flashtight' led to mechanical failures; during the pursuit of the Bismarck in May 1941, safety interlock malfunctions caused the guns to jam during the heat of battle.

The ship's service record was defined by high-stakes engagements across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific. Most notably, alongside HMS Rodney, it played a decisive role in the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck. While the ship survived the intense bombardment, the strain of war was evident. In May 1942, a collision with the destroyer HMS Punjabi in dense fog resulted in 40 feet of damage to the battleship's bow, necessitating extensive repairs in Liverpool.

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