Royal
Navy
Renown Class
Battlecruiser
Tons
26,500
Early 1941
December 10, 1941
Ship History
Built at Clydebank, Scotland. Completed in August 1916, and served during World War I. After the war, extra armor was added by 1922 and then conducted fleet operations and long-distance cruise in the interwar period. In 1933-36, it was again modernized, emerging with improved deck armor, a hangar and catapult for aircraft, and a greatly increased anti-aircraft gun battery.
Wartime Service
Operated in the North Sea and Atlantic for 1939-1940 and participted in the pursuit of the Bismarck in May 1941. Later in the year she was sent to the Far East, accompanying HMS Prince of Wales. The two ships arrived at Singapore just before Japan began the Pacific War. As soon as hostilities commenced, both steamed northwards to intercept a reported invasion force.
Sinking History
On December 10, 1941 while returning to Singapore HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales were attacked and sunk by G3M2 Nell and G4M1 Betty bombers. Sunk less than an hour later.
Shipwreck
After the war, Japanese salvage divers searched unsucessfully for this wreck to salvage materials. The wreck lies nearly upside down in 155' at
A British flag attached to a line on a buoy that is tied to a propeller shaft is periodically renewed. The wreck site was designated as a 'Protected Place' in 2001 under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, just prior to the 60th anniversary of her sinking. The Royal Navy maintains a White Ensign flag on the mast of the Prince of Wales
Ship's Bell
The ship's bell was raised in 2002 with the blessing of the Ministry of Defence and The Force Z Survivors Association. It was restored, then presented for permanent display by First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Alan West, KCB DSC ADC to the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool.
155'
3 33.6 N
104 28.7' E
