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{{short description|King George V-class battleship}}
{{Other ships|HMS Centurion}}
{{good article}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2022}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=HMS Centurion.jpg
|Ship caption=A postcard of ''Centurion'' under way, about 1913
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=United Kingdom
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
|Ship name=''Centurion''
|Ship namesake=Roman [[centurion]]
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[HMNB Devonport|HM Dockyard, Devonport]]
|Ship yard number=
|Ship way number=
|Ship laid down=16 January 1911
|Ship launched=18 November 1911
|Ship sponsor=
|Ship christened=
|Ship completed=
|Ship commissioned=22 May 1913
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=1924
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship reclassified=As a [[target ship]], 1927
|Ship refit=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honours=
|Ship fate= Sunk as a [[Mulberry harbour]] [[blockship]] off [[Normandy]], 7 June 1944
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=(as built)
|Ship class={{sclass|King George V|battleship|0||1911}} [[dreadnought battleship]]
|Ship displacement= {{convert|25420|LT|t|lk=in}} (normal)
|Ship length={{convert|597|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on|1}} ([[Length overall|o/a]])
|Ship beam={{convert|89|ft|1|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
|Ship draught={{convert|28|ft|8|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
|Ship power=*{{convert|27000|shp|lk=in|abbr=on}}
* 18 × [[Yarrow boiler]]s
|Ship propulsion=4 × shafts; 2 × [[steam turbine]] sets
|Ship speed={{convert|21|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range={{convert|6310|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|10|kn}}
|Ship complement=862 (1913)
|Ship armament=* 5 × twin [[BL 13.5 inch Mk V naval gun|{{cvt|13.5|in|0}} guns]]
* 16 × single [[BL 4 inch naval gun Mk VII|{{cvt|4|in|0}} guns]]
* 3 × [[British 21 inch torpedo|{{cvt|21|in|0}}]] [[torpedo tube]]s
|Ship armour=* [[Belt armor|Belt]]: {{convert|12|in|mm|abbr=on|0}}
* [[Deck (ship)|Deck]]: {{convert|1|-|4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
* [[Gun turret|Turrets]]: {{convert|11|in|mm|abbr=on}}
* [[Barbette]]s: {{convert|10|in|mm|abbr=on|0}}
}}
|}
'''HMS ''Centurion''''' was the second of four {{sclass|King George V|battleship|0||1911}} [[dreadnought battleship]]s built for the [[Royal Navy]] in the early 1910s. She spent the bulk of her career assigned to the [[Home Fleet|Home]] and [[Grand Fleet]]s. Aside from participating in the failed attempt to intercept the German ships that had [[Raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby|bombarded Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby]] in late 1914, and the [[Battle of Jutland]] in May 1916, her service during the [[First World War]] generally consisted of routine patrols and training in the [[North Sea]].

By the end of 1919, ''Centurion'' had been transferred to the [[Mediterranean Fleet]]. Although she spent much of her time in [[Reserve fleet|reserve]], she had a peripheral role in the [[Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War]]. After her return home in 1924, the ship became the flagship of the Reserve Fleet. In 1926 ''Centurion'' was converted into a [[target ship]] and participated in trials evaluating the effectiveness of [[Air strikes|aerial bombing]] in addition to her normal duties. During the [[Second World War]], the ship was rearmed with light weapons and was converted into a [[blockship]] in 1941. When that operation was cancelled, she was then modified into a [[decoy]] with dummy [[gun turret]]s in an attempt to fool the [[Axis power]]s. ''Centurion'' was sent to the Mediterranean in 1942 to escort a [[Malta convoys|convoy to Malta]], although the Italians quickly saw through the deception. The ship was deliberately sunk during the [[Invasion of Normandy]] in 1944 to form a [[breakwater (structure)|breakwater]].

==Design and description==
The ''King George V''-class ships were designed as enlarged and improved versions of the preceding  {{sclass|Orion|battleship|2}}.<ref>Burt 1986, pp. 169–170</ref> They had an [[length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|597|ft|9|in|m|1}}, a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|89|ft|1|in|m|1}} and a [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|28|ft|8|in|m|1}}. They [[Displacement (ship)|displaced]] {{convert|25420|LT|t|lk=in}} at normal load and {{convert|27120|LT|t}} at [[deep load]]. ''Centurion''{{'}}s crew numbered 862 officers and [[naval rating|ratings]] upon completion.<ref name=b1>Burt 1986, p. 176</ref>

Ships of the ''King George V'' class were powered by two sets of [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] [[direct-drive]] [[steam turbine]]s, each driving two shafts, using steam provided by 18 [[Yarrow boiler]]s. The turbines were rated at {{convert|27000|shp|lk=in}} and were intended to give the battleships a speed of {{convert|21|kn|lk=on}}.<ref name=p5>Parkes, p. 538</ref> During her [[sea trial]]s on 19–20 February 1913, ''Centurion'' reached a maximum speed of {{convert|22.9|kn}} from {{convert|34530|shp|abbr=on}}. She carried enough coal and [[fuel oil]] to give her a range of {{convert|6310|nmi|lk=in}} at a cruising speed of {{convert|10|kn}}.<ref>Burt 1986, pp. 176, 179</ref>

===Armament and armour===
Like the ''Orion'' class, the ''King George V''s were equipped with 10 [[List of British ordnance terms#BL|breech-loading (BL)]] [[BL 13.5 inch Mk V naval gun|{{convert|13.5|in|mm|adj=on|sigfig=3}} Mark V guns]] in five hydraulically powered twin-gun turrets, all on the centreline. The turrets were designated 'A', 'B', 'Q', 'X' and 'Y', from front to rear. Their [[secondary armament]] consisted of 16 [[BL 4 inch naval gun Mk VII|BL {{convert|4|in|mm|adj=on|0}} Mark VII]] guns. Eight of these were mounted in the forward [[superstructure]], four in the aft superstructure, and four in [[casemate#Single casemates (1889 onwards)|casemates]] in the side of the hull abreast of the forward main gun turrets, all in single mounts. Four [[QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss|{{Convert|47|mm|in|abbr=on}}]] [[saluting gun]]s were also carried. The ships were equipped with three [[British 21 inch torpedo|21-inch (533&nbsp;mm)]] submerged [[torpedo tube]]s, one on each [[Broadside (naval)|broadside]] and another in the [[stern]], for which 14 torpedoes were provided.<ref>Burt 1986, pp. 175–176</ref>

The ''King George V''-class ships were protected by a [[waterline]] {{convert|12|in|adj=on|0}} [[armoured belt]] that extended between the end [[barbette]]s. Their [[deck (ship)|decks]] ranged in thickness between {{convert|1|in|0}} and 4 inches with the thickest portions protecting the steering gear in the stern. The [[main battery]] turret faces were {{convert|11|in|0}} thick, and the turrets were supported by {{convert|10|in|0|adj=mid|-thick}} barbettes.<ref name=b1/>

===Modifications===
[[File:HMS Centurion closeup 1918 Q 13957.jpeg|thumb|Close up of ''Centurion'', June 1919; the flying-off platforms are visible on 'B' and 'X' turrets]]
A [[fire-control director]] was installed on the roof of the [[Top (sailing ship)|spotting top]] before August 1914; her original pole [[foremast]] was reinforced by short tripod legs to stiffen it and allow it to bear the weight of the director.<ref>Brooks, p. 168; Burt 1986, p. 170</ref> By October 1914, a pair of {{convert|3|in|0|adj=on|spell=in}} [[anti-aircraft gun|anti-aircraft (AA) guns]] had been added<ref>Friedman, p. 199</ref> on the [[quarterdeck]]. Approximately {{convert|80|LT|t}} of additional deck armour was added after the Battle of Jutland. By April 1917, the four-inch guns had been removed from the hull casemates as they were frequently unusable in heavy seas. The casemates were plated over and some of the compartments were used for accommodations. In addition, one of the three-inch AA guns was replaced by a four-inch AA gun. Her stern torpedo tube was removed in either 1917 or 1918 and [[Flight deck#Early|flying-off platforms]] were fitted on the roofs of 'B' and 'X' turrets during 1918.<ref>Burt, pp. 179–180</ref>

When ''Centurion'' was initially converted for use as a radio-controlled target ship for use by ships with guns up to {{convert|8|in|0}} in diameter in 1926, the conversion was initially fairly minimal. All of her small fittings were removed, her boilers were converted to use diesel fuel instead of coal and numerous radio antennas were added for use by her controlling ship, the [[destroyer]] {{HMS|Shikari|1919|2}}. The ship could steam at speeds of {{convert|16|kn}} for three hours. Her gun turrets were removed shortly afterwards and some of the former coal bunkers were filled with rocks to compensate for weight of the turrets. This increased her draught to {{convert|31|ft|3|in|1}} which reduced the chances of steeply diving shells fired at maximum range penetrating beneath the armour belt. The ship was maintained by a crew of 242 who sailed her to the firing range and then disembarked. The spotting top was removed by 22 September 1930 and her forward superstructure was cut down and her [[funnel (ship)|funnels]] were shortened in 1933 in preparation for aircraft bombing trials.<ref>Burt 1986, p. 181; Burt 2011, pp. 48, 53, 55</ref>

''Centurion'' was armed with a variety of weapons in June 1940 as the threat of German invasion increased and was then modified to serve as a repair ship for the local defence ships based in Devonport. In April–May 1941, she was converted into a blockship,<ref name=b81>Burt 1986, p. 181</ref> with her [[magazine (artillery)|magazines]] now serving as fuel tanks, but she was then modified with false gun turrets and masts to serve as a decoy for the battleship {{HMS|Anson|79|6}}. Her armament now comprised two [[QF 2 pounder naval gun#QF 2-pounder Mark II|2-pounder (40&nbsp;mm) Mk II "pom-pom"s]] and eight [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|{{convert|20|mm|1|adj=on|sp=us}} Oerlikon]] light AA guns, all on single mounts. The ship's anti-aircraft armament was augmented in June 1942 with two additional "pom-pom"s and nine more Oerlikons.<ref>Lenton, p. 583</ref>

==Construction and career==
[[File:ShipsSalutingKaiserKiel24june1914.jpg|thumb|British and German ships saluting Kaiser Wilhelm II, [[Kiel]], 24 June 1914; the four ''King George V''-class ships are in the center background]]
''Centurion'', named after the [[Roman Army]] rank of [[centurion]],<ref>Silverstone, p. 220</ref> was the sixth ship of her name to serve in the Royal Navy.<ref>Colledge, p. 63</ref> She was [[laid down]] at [[HM Dockyard, Devonport]] on 16 January 1911 and [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 18 November.<ref name=g8>Preston, p. 30</ref> While conducting her sea trials on the night of 9/10 December, ''Centurion'' accidentally [[naval ram|rammed]] and sank the Italian [[Steamship|steamer]] {{SS|Derna}} with the loss of all hands. The battleship's [[bow (ship)|bow]] was badly damaged and the ship was under repair until March 1913. She cost [[pound sterling|£]]1,950,671 at completion and was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 22 May, joining her [[sister ship]]s in the [[2nd Battle Squadron (United Kingdom)|2nd Battle Squadron (BS)]]. The ship was present with the 2nd BS to receive the [[President of France]], [[Raymond Poincaré]], at [[Spithead]] on 24 June. All four sisters represented the Royal Navy during the celebrations of the re-opening of the [[Kaiser Wilhelm Canal]], held in conjunction with [[Kiel Week]], in [[Kiel]], Germany, in June 1914.<ref name=b8>Burt 1986, p. 188</ref>

===First World War===
Between 17 and 20 July 1914, ''Centurion'' took part in a test [[mobilisation]] and fleet review as part of the British response to the [[July Crisis]]. Arriving in [[Isle of Portland|Portland]] on 25 July, she was ordered to proceed with the rest of the Home Fleet to [[Scapa Flow]] four days later<ref name=b8/> to safeguard the fleet from a possible surprise attack by the [[Imperial German Navy]].<ref>Massie, p. 19</ref> In August 1914, following the outbreak of the First World War, the Home Fleet was reorganised as the [[Grand Fleet]], and placed under the command of [[Admiral (Royal Navy)|Admiral]] Sir [[John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe|John Jellicoe]].<ref>Preston, p. 32</ref> Repeated reports of submarines in Scapa Flow led Jellicoe to conclude that the defences there were inadequate and he ordered that the Grand Fleet be dispersed to other bases until the defences be reinforced. On 16 October the 2nd BS was sent to [[Loch na Keal]] on the western coast of Scotland. The squadron departed for gunnery practice off the northern coast of Ireland on the morning of 27 October and her sister {{HMS|Audacious|1912|2}} struck a [[naval mine|mine]], laid a few days earlier by the German auxiliary [[minelayer]] {{SS|Berlin|1908|6}}. Thinking that the ship had been torpedoed by a submarine, the other dreadnoughts were ordered away from the area, while smaller ships rendered assistance. On the evening of 22 November 1914, the Grand Fleet conducted a fruitless sweep in the southern half of the [[North Sea]]; ''Centurion'' stood with the main body in support of [[Vice-Admiral (Royal Navy)|Vice-Admiral]] [[David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty|David Beatty]]'s [[1st Battlecruiser Squadron]]. The fleet was back in port in Scapa Flow by 27 November.<ref>Burt 1986, p. 183; Goldrick, p. 156; Jellicoe, pp. 98, 135, 152, 163–165</ref>

==== Bombardment of Scarborough, Hartlepool, and Whitby ====
{{main|Raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby}}
The Royal Navy's [[Room 40]] had [[Signals intelligence|intercepted and decrypted German radio traffic]] containing plans for a German attack on [[Scarborough, North Yorkshire|Scarborough]], [[Hartlepool]] and [[Whitby]] in mid-December using the four [[battlecruiser]]s of ''[[Konteradmiral]]'' (Rear-Admiral) [[Franz von Hipper]]'s [[I Scouting Group]]. The radio messages did not mention that the [[High Seas Fleet]] with fourteen dreadnoughts and eight [[pre-dreadnought]]s would reinforce Hipper. The ships of both sides departed their bases on 15 December, with the British intending to ambush the German ships on their return voyage. They mustered the six dreadnoughts of the 2nd BS, including ''Centurion'' and her sisters {{HMS|Ajax|1912|2}} and {{HMS|King George V|1911|2}}, and stood with the main body in support of Beatty's four battlecruisers.<ref>Tarrant, pp. 28–30</ref>

The screening forces of each side blundered into each other during the early morning darkness of 16 December in heavy weather. The Germans got the better of the initial exchange of fire, severely damaging several British destroyers, but von Ingenohl, commander of the High Seas Fleet, ordered his ships to turn away, concerned about the possibility of a massed attack by British destroyers in the dawn's light. A series of miscommunications and mistakes by the British allowed Hipper's ships to avoid an engagement with Beatty's forces.<ref>Goldrick, pp. 200–214</ref>

====1915–1916====
[[File:HMS Agincourt with other battleships at Scapa Flow in 1918.jpg|thumb|The 2nd Battle Squadron in Scapa Flow, 1918. {{HMS|Agincourt|1913|2}} is nearest to the camera with {{HMS|Erin||2}} behind her. The other three are, in no order: ''King George V'', ''Centurion'' and ''Ajax''. Note the [[kite balloon]] over one of the more distant battleships.]]
Jellicoe's ships, including ''Centurion'', conducted gunnery drills on 10–13 January 1915 west of [[Orkney]] and the [[Shetland Islands]]. On the evening of 23 January, the bulk of the Grand Fleet sailed in support of Beatty's battlecruisers, but ''Centurion'' and the rest of the fleet did not participate in the ensuing [[Battle of Dogger Bank (1915)|Battle of Dogger Bank]] the following day. The ship was refitted at [[Cromarty]], Scotland, from 25 January to 22 February. On 7–10 March, the Grand Fleet conducted a sweep in the northern North Sea, during which it conducted training manoeuvres. Another such cruise took place on 16–19 March. On 11 April, the Grand Fleet conducted a patrol in the central North Sea and returned to port on 14 April; another patrol in the area took place on 17–19 April, followed by gunnery drills off Shetland on 20–21 April.<ref>Burt 1986, p. 188; Jellicoe, pp. 190–191, 194–196, 206, 211–212</ref>

The Grand Fleet conducted sweeps into the central North Sea on 17–19 May and 29–31 May without encountering any German vessels. During 11–14 June, the fleet conducted gunnery practice and battle exercises west of Shetland<ref>Jellicoe, pp. 217–219, 221–222</ref> and more training off Shetland beginning on 11 July. The 2nd BS conducted gunnery practice in the [[Moray Firth]] on 2 August and then returned to Scapa Flow. On 2–5 September, the fleet went on another cruise in the northern end of the North Sea and conducted gunnery drills. Throughout the rest of the month, the Grand Fleet conducted numerous training exercises. The ship, together with the majority of the Grand Fleet, conducted another sweep into the North Sea from 13 to 15 October. Almost three weeks later, ''Centurion'' participated in another fleet training operation west of Orkney during 2–5 November and repeated the exercise at the beginning of December.<ref>Jellicoe, pp. 228, 234–235, 243, 246, 250, 253, 257–258</ref>

The Grand Fleet sortied in response to an attack by German ships on British light forces near Dogger Bank on 10 February 1916, but it was recalled two days later when it became clear that no German ships larger than a destroyer were involved. The fleet departed for a cruise in the North Sea on 26 February; Jellicoe had intended to use the [[Harwich Force]] to sweep the [[Heligoland Bight]], but bad weather prevented operations in the southern North Sea. As a result, the operation was confined to the northern end of the sea. Another sweep began on 6 March, but had to be abandoned the following day as the weather grew too severe for the escorting destroyers. On the night of 25 March, ''Centurion'' and the rest of the fleet sailed from Scapa Flow to support Beatty's battlecruisers and other light forces raiding the German [[Zeppelin]] base at [[Tondern]]. By the time the Grand Fleet approached the area on 26 March, the British and German forces had already disengaged and a strong [[gale]] threatened the light craft, so the fleet was ordered to return to base. On 21 April, the Grand Fleet conducted a demonstration off [[Horns Reef]] to distract the Germans while the [[Imperial Russian Navy]] relaid its defensive [[minefields]] in the [[Baltic Sea]].<ref>Jellicoe, pp. 270–271, 275, 279–280, 284, 286</ref> The fleet returned to Scapa Flow on 24 April and refuelled before proceeding south in response to intelligence reports that the Germans were about to launch a [[Bombardment of Yarmouth and Lowestoft|raid on Lowestoft]], but only arrived in the area after the Germans had withdrawn. On 2–4 May, the fleet conducted another demonstration off Horns Reef to keep German attention focused on the North Sea.<ref>Jellicoe, pp. 286–290</ref> It is uncertain if ''Centurion'' participated in this as she received a brief refit at [[Invergordon]], Scotland, during the month.<ref name=b8/>

====Battle of Jutland====

{{Main|Battle of Jutland}}
[[File:Map of the Battle of Jutland, 1916.svg|thumb|upright=1.5|Maps showing the manoeuvres of the British (blue) and German (red) fleets on 31 May&nbsp;– 1 June 1916|alt=The British fleet sailed from northern Britain to the east while the Germans sailed from Germany in the south; the opposing fleets met off the Danish coast]]
In an attempt to lure out and destroy a portion of the Grand Fleet, the High Seas Fleet, composed of sixteen dreadnoughts, six pre-dreadnoughts and supporting ships, departed the [[Jade Bight]] early on the morning of 31 May. The fleet sailed in concert with Hipper's five battlecruisers. [[Room 40]] had intercepted and decrypted German radio traffic containing plans of the operation. In response the Admiralty ordered the Grand Fleet, totalling some 28 dreadnoughts and 9 battlecruisers, to sortie the night before to cut off and destroy the High Seas Fleet.<ref>Tarrant, pp. 54–55, 57–58</ref>

On 31 May, ''Centurion'', under the command of [[Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain]] Sir [[Sir Michael Culme-Seymour, 4th Baronet|Michael Culme-Seymour]], was the third ship from the head of the [[battle line]] after deployment.<ref>Corbett, frontispiece map and p. 428</ref> The ship was only lightly engaged at Jutland, firing four [[salvo]]s (totalling 19 [[armour-piercing shell]]s) at the battlecruiser {{SMS|Lützow}} at 19:16<ref group=Note>The times used in this section are in [[Universal Time|UT]], which is one hour behind [[Central European Time|CET]], which is often used in German works.</ref> before {{HMS|Orion|1910|2}} blocked ''Centurion''{{'}}s view, failing to hit her target.<ref>Campbell, pp. 209, 346–347</ref>

====Subsequent activity====
[[File:HMS Erin and Centurion Q 74184.jpg|thumb|left|''Erin'' (left) and ''Centurion'' conducting gunnery training in Scapa Flow, May 1917]]
''Centurion'' was being refitted when the Grand Fleet sortied on 18 August to ambush the High Seas Fleet while it advanced into the southern North Sea,<ref name=b8/><ref>Newbolt, p. 35</ref> but a series of miscommunications and mistakes prevented Jellicoe from intercepting the German fleet before it returned to port. Two light cruisers were sunk by German [[U-boat]]s during the operation, prompting Jellicoe to decide to not risk the major units of the fleet south of 55° 30' North due to the prevalence of German submarines and mines. The [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]] concurred and stipulated that the Grand Fleet would not sortie unless the German fleet was attempting an invasion of Britain or there was a strong possibility it could be forced into an engagement under suitable conditions.<ref>Halpern 1995, pp. 330–332</ref>

[[File:HMS Centurion at Rosyth 1918 IWM Q 13955.jpg|thumb|''Centurion'' at Rosyth, Scotland, June 1919]]
In April 1918, the High Seas Fleet again sortied, to attack British convoys to Norway. They enforced strict wireless silence during the operation, which prevented Room 40 cryptanalysts from warning the new commander of the Grand Fleet, Admiral Beatty. The British only learned of the operation after an accident aboard the battlecruiser {{SMS|Moltke}} forced her to break radio silence to inform the German commander of her condition. Beatty then ordered the Grand Fleet to sea to intercept the Germans, but he was not able to reach the High Seas Fleet before it turned back for Germany.<ref>Halpern 1995, pp. 418–420</ref> The ship was present at [[Rosyth]], Scotland, when the High Seas Fleet surrendered there on 21 November.<ref name=b8/>

===Between the wars===
By 18 December 1919, ''Centurion'' had been assigned to the [[4th Battle Squadron (United Kingdom)|4th Battle Squadron]] of the Mediterranean Fleet.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Navy List|url=http://deriv.nls.uk/dcn23/9262/92620333.23.pdf|website=National Library of Scotland|date=18 December 1919|publisher=[[His Majesty's Stationery Office]]|location=London|access-date=17 March 2017|pages=712–13}}</ref> In March 1920, the ship was temporarily placed in reserve, but was recommissioned on 8 August.<ref name=b8/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Navy List|url=http://deriv.nls.uk/dcn23/9437/94375411.23.pdf|website=National Library of Scotland|date=18 March 1920|publisher=His Majesty's Stationery Office|location=London|access-date=27 March 2017|pages=712–13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Navy List|url=http://deriv.nls.uk/dcn23/9444/94447335.23.pdf|website=National Library of Scotland|date=18 September 1920|publisher=His Majesty's Stationery Office|location=London|access-date=27 March 2017|pages=712–13}}</ref> During the [[Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War]], ''Centurion'' participated in an exchange of [[prisoners of war]] with the victorious [[Bolshevik]]s in [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] in October–November. After the destroyer {{HMS|Tobago|1918|2}} struck a mine near [[Trabzon|Trebizond]] on 12 November, she was towed from [[Constantinople]] to [[Malta]] for permanent repairs by ''Centurion''. In April 1921, the ship was again reduced to reserve, recommissioning on 1 August 1922 before the [[Chanak Crisis]] of September. Upon her return home in April 1924, she became the flagship of the Reserve Fleet at [[HMNB Portsmouth|Portsmouth]] and participated in a [[fleet review (Commonwealth realms)|fleet review]] in [[Torbay]] on 26 July. ''Centurion'' was transferred to Chatham Dockyard at the end of the year and remained there through 1925.<ref>Burt 1986, p. 188; Halpern 2011, pp. 278–279, 287, 302, 325</ref>

[[File:HMS Centurion under fire, 1934 HU 43515.jpg|thumb|''Centurion'' under fire as a target ship, 1934]]
In April 1926, the ship was chosen to replace the elderly [[semi-dreadnought]] {{HMS|Agamemnon|1906|2}} as the fleet's radio-controlled target ship. The conversion, costing approximately £358,088, began on 14 April at Chatham Dockyard and lasted until July 1927 when she began sea trials. She was laid up in 1931 to cut costs and was [[Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] at Portsmouth on 30 January 1932. The ship was recommissioned in 1933 and was used by the [[Atlantic Fleet (United Kingdom)|Atlantic Fleet]] on 1 June.<ref name=b8/> She was used in September for trials with [[dive bomber]]s, which made 19 hits out of 48 bombs dropped; a much higher rate than level bombing from medium or high altitudes.<ref>Brown, pp. 21–22</ref> ''Centurion'' was refitted between November 1934 – January 1935 to repair the damage inflicted by the fleet.<ref name=b8/>

===World War II===
[[File:The Royal Navy during the Second World War A9982.jpg|thumb|left|''Centurion'' masquerading as ''Anson'']]
In 1939–1940, the ship continued in her prewar role, although she was briefly considered for rearming in May 1940 as an anti-aircraft cruiser in support of the Norway campaign.<ref>Hampshire, p. 100</ref> She then served as a repair ship at Devonport before being converted into a blockship in April 1941.<ref name=b81/> On 14 April, [[Winston Churchill]] suggested that a heavy naval bombardment of the Libyan city of [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]] should be made by the Mediterranean Fleet and followed up by blocking the port with a battleship and the Admiralty suggested {{HMS|Barham|04|2}} and a [[cruiser]], but Admiral [[Andrew Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope|Andrew Cunningham]], commander of the Mediterranean Fleet, rejected the idea of using one of his active battleships and suggested ''Centurion'' instead.<ref>Hampshire, p. 101</ref> Upon further consideration, he assessed the chance of success as one in ten due to the difficulties of "wedging herself in exactly the right position within point blank range of the enemy guns with enemy dive bombers overhead."<ref>Admiralty Historical Section 2002, p. 93</ref> The ship was then modified to resemble the battleship {{HMS|Anson|79|2}}, then building at HM Dockyard, Portsmouth.<ref>Hampshire, pp. 101–112; Burt 1986, p. 181; Lenton, p. 543</ref>

[[File:HMS Centurion as breakwater during storm off Omaha Beach in June 1944.jpg|thumb|''Centurion'' sunk as breakwater off Omaha Beach, June 1944]]
In 1942, ''Centurion'' was transferred to the [[Eastern Fleet]] and was detached to the Mediterranean Fleet in May–June to escort Convoy M.W. 11 from [[Alexandria]] to Malta in June as part of [[Operation Vigorous]]. She was assigned in the hopes of deceiving the Axis about the presence of an operational battleship; the Italians seem to have seen through the deception by the time the convoy sailed on 13 June, although the Germans were deceived.<ref>Hampshire, pp. 120–137</ref> Two days later, the ship was slightly damaged by near misses when attacked by nine dive bombers; her Oerlikon cannon shot one of them down.<ref>Admiralty Historical Section 2007, pp. 68–78; Hampshire, p. 133</ref> ''Centurion'' was [[scuttling|scuttled]] as a breakwater during the [[Invasion of Normandy]] off [[Omaha Beach]] on 9 June 1944 to protect a [[Mulberry harbour]] built to supply the forces ashore.<ref>Hampshire, pp. 139–157; Lenton, p. 574</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=Note}}

==Citations==
[[File:WW1 sailor's grave.jpg|thumb|Tombstone in [[Ardmore, County Waterford]], Ireland of [[Able Seaman]] Mike Moylan, who served aboard HMS ''Centurion'' and died in 1916.]]
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|last=Admiralty Historical Section|title=The Royal Navy and the Mediterranean|publisher=Whitehall History in association with Frank Cass|location=London|year=2002|series=Whitehall histories., Naval Staff histories |volume=2, November 1940–December 1941|isbn=0-7146-5205-9}}
* {{cite book|last1=Admiralty Historical Section|title=The Royal Navy and the Mediterranean Convoys: A Naval Staff History |date=2007|publisher=Whitehall History Publishing in association with Routledge|location=London |isbn=978-0-415-39095-8}}
* {{cite book |title=Warship 1996 |editor1-first=David |editor1-last=McLean |editor2-last=Preston |editor2-first=Antony |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |location=London |year=1996 |last=Brooks |first=John |chapter=Percy Scott and the Director |pages=150–170 |isbn=0-85177-685-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Brown|first=David K.|title=Nelson to Vanguard: Warship Design and Development 1923-1945 |year=2000|location=London|publisher=Chatham Publishing|isbn=1-55750-492-X|author-link=David K. Brown}}
* {{cite book|last=Burt|first=R. A.|title=British Battleships, 1919–1939|year=2012|edition=2nd|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=978-1-59114-052-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Burt|first=R. A.|title=British Battleships of World War One|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=1986|isbn=0-87021-863-8}}
* {{Cite book|last=Campbell|first=N. J. M.|title=Jutland: An Analysis of the Fighting|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=1986|isbn=0-87021-324-5}}
* {{Cite Colledge2006}}
*{{cite book|last=Corbett|first=Julian|author-link=Julian Corbett|title=Naval Operations |edition=Second|series=History of the Great War: Based on Official Documents|volume=III |year=1997 |publisher=Imperial War Museum in association with the Battery Press|location=London and Nashville, Tennessee|isbn=1-870423-50-X|orig-year=1940}}
* {{cite book|last1=Friedman|first1=Norman|author-link1=Norman Friedman|title=The British Battleship 1906–1946|date=2015 |publisher=Seaforth Publishing|location=Barnsley, UK|isbn=978-1-84832-225-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Goldrick|first=James|title=Before Jutland: The Naval War in Northern European Waters, August 1914–February 1915|year=2015|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=978-1-59114-349-9}}
* {{Cite book |last=Halpern|first=Paul G.|title=A Naval History of World War I|year=1995|author-link=Paul G. Halpern |location=Annapolis, Maryland|publisher=Naval Institute Press|isbn=1-55750-352-4}}
* {{Cite book|last=Hampshire|first=A. Cecil|title=The Phantom Fleet|publisher=William Kimber & Co.|location=London |year=1960}}
* {{cite book |last=Jellicoe|first=John|author-link=John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe|title=The Grand Fleet, 1914–1916: Its Creation, Development, and Work|year=1919|location=New York|publisher=George H. Doran Company|oclc=13614571}}
* {{cite book|last=Lenton|first=H. T.|author-link=Henry Trevor Lenton|title=British & Empire Warships of the Second World War|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=1998|isbn=1-55750-048-7}}
* {{cite book|title=Castles of Steel: Britain, Germany, and the Winning of the Great War at Sea |last=Massie |first=Robert K. |author-link=Robert K. Massie|publisher=Random House|year=2003|location= New York |isbn=0-679-45671-6|ref=Massie|title-link=Castles of Steel: Britain, Germany, and the Winning of the Great War at Sea}}
* {{cite book|last=Newbolt|first=Henry|title=Naval Operations|orig-year=1931|series=History of the Great War Based on Official Documents|volume=V|year=1996|publisher=Battery Press|location=Nashville, Tennessee|isbn=0-89839-255-1|author-link=Henry Newbolt}}
*{{cite book |last1=Parkes |first1=Oscar |title=British Battleships, ''Warrior'' 1860 to ''Vanguard'' 1950: A History of Design, Construction, and Armament |date=1990 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=1-55750-075-4 |edition=New & rev.|orig-year=1966|author-link=Oscar Parkes}}
*{{cite book|editor1-last=Gray|editor1-first=Randal|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921 |year=1985 |location=Annapolis, Maryland|publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=0-85177-245-5 |chapter=Great Britain and Empire Forces|first1=Antony|last1=Preston|author-link=Antony Preston|pages=1–104}}
* {{cite book|last=Silverstone|first=Paul H.|title=Directory of the World's Capital Ships|year=1984 |publisher=Hippocrene Books|location=New York|isbn=0-88254-979-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Tarrant |first=V. E. |title=Jutland: The German Perspective: A New View of the Great Battle, 31 May 1916 |publisher=Brockhampton Press |location=London |year=1999 |orig-year=1995|isbn=1-86019-917-8}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|HMS Centurion (ship, 1911)}}
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/great_britain/battleships/centurion/hms_centurion.htm Maritimequest HMS Centurion Photo Gallery]
* [https://www.jutlandcrewlists.org/centurion Battle of Jutland Crew Lists Project – HMS Centurion Crew List]

{{King George V-class battleship 1911}}
{{June 1944 shipwrecks}}
{{coord missing|France}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Centurion (1911)}}
[[Category:King George V-class battleships (1911)]]
[[Category:Ships built in Plymouth, Devon]]
[[Category:1911 ships]]
[[Category:World War I battleships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II battleships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks of France]]
[[Category:Scuttled vessels of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in June 1944]]
[[Category:Ships sunk as breakwaters]]

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