The ninth HMS Vanguard was the last and largest of Britain’s battleships and was commissioned in 1946.
She was 813ft length overall and 42,300 tons and built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War. One of her main roles was being the Royal Yacht during the royal family’s tour of South Africa in 1947.
She was broken up at Faslane in 1960 after being run aground at Portsmouth when she was on her way to the breakers yard.
She was never tested in combat, technology moved on and sadly there were severe budgetary constraints at the time she entered service, shortening her operational life.
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5. Remembering HMS Vanguard
This delightful photograph of the then Princess Elizabeth now H.M. Queen Elizabeth when on the Royal Voyage to South Africa in 1947 aboard HMS Vanguard. Photo: The News archive
6. Remembering HMS Vanguard
HMS Vanguard runs aground in Portsmouth Harbour after breaking loose but narrowly avoids the Still & West pub, August 4, 1960. The News PP5335 Photo: The News archive
7. Remembering HMS Vanguard
Chain painting HMS Vanguard. Undated. Courtesy of Neil Mccart Photo: The News archive
8. Remembering HMS Vanguard
Most views of HMS Vanguard are overhead, here is another with a view along Broad Street. Photo: The News archive