Äran-class coastal defence ship

HSwMS Äran
Class overview
NameÄran class
Builders
Operators Swedish Navy
Preceded byDristigheten
Succeeded byOscar II
Completed4
General characteristics
TypeCoastal defense ship
Displacement3,592 tons
Length87.48 m (287 ft 0 in)
Beam15 m (49 ft 3 in)
Draught5 m (16 ft 5 in)
Propulsion6,500 hp (4,800 kW), two shafts
Speed17 knots (31 km/h)
Complement285
Armament
  • 2 × 8.2 in (21 cm) (2 × 1)
  • 6 × 6 in (15 cm) (6 × 1)
  • 10 × 5.7 cm (2.2 in) (10 × 1)
  • 2 torpedo tubes
Armour
  • 7 in (18 cm) belt
  • 7.5 in (19 cm) turret

The Äran class was a class of coastal defence ships of the Swedish Navy. The class comprised Äran, Wasa, Tapperheten and Manligheten.

Design

Dimensions and machinery

The ships of the class were 87.48 metres (287 ft 0 in) long, had a beam of 15 metres (49 ft 3 in), a draught of 5 metres (16 ft 5 in), and had a displacement of 3,592 tons. The ships were equipped with 2 shaft reciprocating engines, which were rated at 6,500 indicated horsepower (4,800 kW) and produced a top speed of 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph).

Armour

The ships had belt armour of 7 in (18 cm) and 7.5 in (19 cm) turret armour.

Armament

The main armament of the ships where two 8.2 in (21 cm) single turret guns. Secondary armament included six single 6 in (15 cm) guns and ten 5.7 cm (2.2 in) single guns.

Ships

Äran was laid down at the Lindholmens shipyard in Gothenburg and launched in 1902. Wasa was laid down at the Bergsund shipyard in Finnboda and was also launched in 1902. Tapperheten and Manligheten were both laid down at Kockums Shipyard in Malmö and were launched in 1904.

Ship name Launched Completed Struck Fate
Äran 14 August 1901 7 September 1902 June 1947 Broken up, 1961
Wasa 29 May 1901 6 December 1902 March 1940 Broken up, 1961
Tapperheten 7 November 1901 April 1903 June 1947 Broken up, 1952
Manligheten 1 December 1903 3 December 1904 February 1950 Converted to pontoon, 1956; broken up, 1984

Service

Äran-class ships during combat exercise. Oil painting by Herman af Sillén.

Tapperheten ran aground on rocks near Stockholm in January 1914. The vessel was refloated in July by blasting the rocks out from under her, repaired and returned to service by the end of 1915.[1]

References

  1. ^ "American Marine Engineer January, 1916". National Marine Engineers Beneficial Association of the United States. Retrieved 25 October 2020 – via Haithi Trust.
  • Moore, J: Jane's Fighting Ships of World War I (1919; reprinted 1992) ISBN 1 85170 378 0