The Most Successful Battleship, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the battleship you think is the most successful!

Updated on May 2, 2024 06:56

In the vast expanses of naval history, battleships stand as titans of military engineering and strategy. Their importance in securing maritime dominance has always been critical, influencing the outcome of many a naval conflict. By ranking these formidable vessels, we gain insights into which designs and strategies stood the test of time and turbulent waters. This dynamic ranking also serves as a tribute to maritime and military history, inviting enthusiasts and experts alike to cast their votes and influence the standings. Your participation helps paint a clearer picture of naval superiority through the ages, and perhaps, sheds light on why certain battleships succeeded where others did not. Join in and help shape this historic ranking.

What Is the Most Successful Battleship?

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56
votes
PH1 Jeff Hilton · Public domain

USS Iowa (BB-61)

USS Iowa is considered the most powerful battleship ever built, the USS Iowa served in World War II and the Korean War, earning 11 battle stars. It was also the first battleship to be equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The USS Iowa (BB-61) was the lead ship of the Iowa-class battleships and the flagship of the United States Navy in World War II. It was a formidable battleship known for its firepower, speed, and advanced technology. It served in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets and played a significant role in several key naval battles.

Displacement: 45,000 tons (full load)

Length: 887 feet 3 inches

Beam: 108 feet 2 inches

Draft: 37 feet

Speed: 33 knots
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33
votes
U.S. Navy · Public domain

HMS Dreadnought

HMS Dreadnought - the first modern battleship, it revolutionized naval warfare and set the standard for all future battleship designs.
HMS Dreadnought was a revolutionary battleship built for the Royal Navy in the early 20th century. Its design and capabilities set a new standard for battleships and changed the course of naval warfare.

Displacement: 18,120 long tons (18,420 t)

Length: 527 ft 6 in (160.9 m)

Beam: 82 ft 1 in (25.0 m)

Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph)

Armament: 10 × 12-inch (305 mm) guns, 27 × 12-pounder (3 in or 76 mm) guns, 5 × 18-inch (460 mm) torpedo tubes
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18
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Camera Operator: EM2 KENNETH D. MEHL (Released to Public) · Public domain

USS Missouri (BB-63)

USS Missouri - famous for being the site of the Japanese surrender in World War II, the USS Missouri served in three wars and was the last battleship built by the United States.
The USS Missouri (BB-63) is a battleship that was commissioned in 1944 and served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Gulf War. It was the lead ship of its class and was considered one of the most successful battleships ever built.

Length: 887 feet 3 inches (270.43 meters)

Beam: 108 feet 2 inches (32.97 meters)

Draft: 28 feet 11 inches (8.81 meters)

Displacement: 45,000 long tons (46,000 metric tons)

Speed: 33 knots (38 mph; 61 km/h)
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13
votes
Bismarck

Bismarck is one of the most powerful battleships of World War II, the Bismarck was sunk on its first and only mission, but its reputation as a formidable opponent lives on.
Bismarck is a popular song by the Swedish power metal band Sabaton. It is a tribute to the German battleship Bismarck, which was one of the most famous warships of World War II. The song was released in 2019 and is included in Sabaton's ninth studio album, The Great War.

Song title: Bismarck

Album: The Great War

Year of release: 2019

Genre: Power metal

Lyrics language: English
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19
votes
Oulds, D C (Lt) Royal Navy official photographer · Public domain

HMS Warspite

HMS Warspite - served in both World Wars and was known for its accuracy and resilience in battle, earning the nickname "The Grand Old Lady."
HMS Warspite was a renowned battleship of the Royal Navy, serving during both World War I and World War II. It was one of the most successful and respected battleships of its time, earning numerous accolades for its performance and resilience in battle.

Class: Queen Elizabeth-class battleship

Length: 198.12 meters (650 ft 0 in)

Beam: 27.43 meters (90 ft 0 in)

Draft: 9.14 meters (30 ft 0 in)

Displacement: 32,000 long tons (32,514 t)
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14
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Yamato

Yamato is the largest battleship ever built, the Yamato was a symbol of Japanese naval power and served in World War II, but was ultimately sunk by American forces.
The Yamato was the lead ship of the Yamato class battleships built by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. It is widely regarded as one of the most powerful battleships ever constructed.

Displacement: 72,800-72,809 tons

Length: 863 feet (263 meters)

Beam: 127 feet (39 meters)

Draft: 31 feet (9.5 meters)

Speed: 27 knots (50 km/h)
7

1
votes
USS Arizona (BB-39)

U.S. Navy

USS Arizona is famously sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona remains a memorial to those who lost their lives in the attack.
The USS Arizona (BB-39) was a Pennsylvania-class battleship of the United States Navy. It was the lead ship of its class and was named after the 48th state, Arizona. The USS Arizona served as a symbol of American power and was one of the most successful battleships of its time.

Length: 608 feet (185.3 meters)

Beam: 106 feet (32.3 meters)

Draft: 30.5 feet (9.3 meters)

Displacement: 31,400 long tons

Top Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h)
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1
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HMS Hood

HMS Hood - known as the "Mighty Hood," it was once the largest and most powerful battleship in the world. It was sunk by the German battleship Bismarck in 1941.
HMS Hood was a British battlecruiser that served in the Royal Navy during World War II. It was widely regarded as the largest and most powerful warship in the world when commissioned.

Type: Battlecruiser

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Commissioned: 1920

Length: 860 ft (262.1 m)

Beam: 104 ft (31.7 m)
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8
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HMS Prince of Wales

HMS Prince of Wales - served in World War II and was involved in the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck.
HMS Prince of Wales was a battleship of the British Royal Navy, which served during World War II. It was part of the King George V-class battleships and was one of the most successful warships of its time.

Displacement: 42,500 tons

Length: 227 meters (745 ft)

Beam: 32 meters (105 ft)

Draught: 10.5 meters (34 ft)

Speed: 28 knots (52 km/h)
10

7
votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

USS North Carolina (BB-55)

United States Navy

USS North Carolina is the lead ship of its class, the USS North Carolina served in World War II and was the first battleship to be equipped with radar.
USS North Carolina (BB-55) was a battleship of the United States Navy that served during World War II. It was the lead ship of its class, known for its advanced design and powerful armament.

Class: North Carolina-class

Type: Battleship

Length: 728 ft 9 in (222.2 m)

Beam: 108 ft 2 in (33.0 m)

Draft: 35 ft 0 in (10.7 m)

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Ranking factors for successful battleship

Combat effectiveness

This includes the ability of the battleship to engage and destroy enemy ships, as well as its ability to survive enemy attacks.
Technology and innovation

Battleships with advanced technology and new innovations were often more successful than those with outdated technology.
Tactical prowess

The ability of the battleship to operate effectively within a naval battle group, as well as the tactical skill of its crew and leadership.
Historical significance

Battleships that played a significant role in important historical events or battles may also be more highly regarded.
Reputation and legacy

The reputation of a battleship, as well as its lasting legacy and impact on naval warfare, can also be factors in determining its success.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful battleship. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or battleship is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1754 views
168 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each battleship once every 24 hours. The rank of each battleship is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most successful battleship

Battleships have played a significant role in naval warfare throughout history. These massive warships were designed to be the ultimate naval weapon, capable of striking fear into the hearts of enemy fleets. Battleships have been used in some of the most famous naval battles in history, including the Battle of Jutland, the Battle of Midway, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The most successful battleships were those that were able to strike a balance between firepower, speed, and armor. These ships were equipped with massive guns, capable of firing over long distances and inflicting devastating damage on enemy ships. They were also heavily armored, allowing them to withstand enemy fire and continue fighting even in the face of significant damage. Over the years, battleship design evolved as new technologies were developed. Early battleships were powered by coal-fired steam engines, while later designs used oil-fired engines. The introduction of radar and other advanced technologies also had a significant impact on battleship design, allowing for more accurate targeting and improved defensive capabilities. Despite their impressive capabilities, battleships eventually became obsolete as naval warfare shifted towards aircraft carriers and other more advanced technologies. However, the legacy of the battleship lives on, with many of these iconic warships still remembered and celebrated for their role in shaping naval history.