HSwMS Oden

{{Main|Oden-class coastal defence ship|l1=Oden-class coastal defence ship}}

File:Oden armour & armament.png

Oden was the lead of the {{sclass|Oden|coastal defence ship}}s, a development of the earlier {{sclass|Svea|coastal defence ship|4}} mounting the same primary armament on a larger hull. Although the subsequent {{HSwMS|Niord||2}} and {{HSwMS|Thor||2}} differed in details, the three vessels are considered members of the same class.{{sfn|Campbell|1979|page=361}} As all the vessels were named after characters in Norse mythology, the ships are also knowns as the mythological class.{{sfn|Fleks|1997|page=10}}

Oden had an overall length of {{convert|86.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} and measured {{convert|84.78|m|ftin|abbr=on}} at the waterline, a beam of {{convert|14.77|m|ftin|abbr=on}} and a maximum draught of {{convert|5.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. Displacement was {{convert|3600|t|LT|lk=in}} normal and {{convert|3775|t|LT}} full load. Power was provided by six cylinder boilers feeding steam to two sets of triple-expansion steam engines and rated at {{convert|5330|ihp|kW|lk=in}} driving two shafts, giving a design speed of {{convert|15|kn|lk=on}}.{{sfn|Fleks|1997|page=10}} During sea trials, on 25 May 1897, Oden achieved a speed of {{convert|15.54|kn}} from {{convert|3887.67|ihp|kW}} and, on 25 September, while operating with a forced draft, the vessel achieved {{convert|16.82|kn}}.{{sfn|Office of Naval Intelligence|1900|page=81}} Two funnels were fitted. The ship had a complement of 239 officers and ratings.{{sfn|Fleks|1997|page=10}} A full load of {{convert|280|LT}} of coal was carried, which gave a design range of {{convert|2500|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|10|kn}}.{{sfn|Westerlund|1992|page=92}} After reconstruction in 1915, coal capacity was expanded to {{convert|300|LT}}, which gave a design range of {{convert|2530|nmi}} at {{convert|10|kn}} and the complement increased to 254 officers and ratings.{{sfn|Parkes|Prendergast|1969|page=380}}

Armament consisted of two single Canet {{convert|25|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} M1894 B guns mounted in turrets on the ship's centreline, one fore and the other aft. Each of the guns weighed {{convert|28.160|t|LT|order=flip}}. The guns had an actual calibre of {{convert|25.4|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} and were manufactured by Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée in France as the capacity did not exist in Sweden to manufacture weapons of this size.{{sfn|Fleks|1997|page=10}} They could fire a {{convert|450|lb|kg|abbr=on|order=flip|adj=on}} shell at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|2362|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on|order=flip}}. The mounting, designated M1894, used electric training and manual elevation.{{sfn|Friedman|2011|page=302}} Secondary armament initially consisted of four Bofors 12 cm kanon M/94 mounted singularly in casemates amidships that could fire from 3 to 8 shots a minute at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|740|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}. The ship was also armed with four single Bofors 57 mm kanon M/89B in casemates and two {{convert|8|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} were mounted on the fighting mast. A single {{convert|25|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} machine gun was carried by each of the two steam sloops carried. A single submerged {{convert|17.7|in|cm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} torpedo tube was mounted in the bow. Four {{convert|90|cm|in|abbr=on}} searchlights were carried.{{sfn|Fleks|1997|page=10}}

Armour included an armoured belt that was {{convert|243|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick and {{convert|1.48|m|ftin|abbr=on|1}} high. The main armament was protected by barbettes that were {{convert|247|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick and turrets {{convert|200|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick with a roof {{convert|30|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick. The secondary armament sat on barbettes protected by {{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} armour, the turrets having a face {{convert|125|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick, sides {{convert|60|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick and a roof {{convert|48|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick. The armour on the casemates was {{convert|91|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick. The conning tower was protected by {{convert|247|mm|in|abbr=on|1|adj=on}} armour while armour that was {{convert|49|mm|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} thick protected the deck and the rooms housing the steering gear and torpedoes. The thickest armour was provided by Schneider-Creusot while the remainder came from Bofors.{{sfn|Fleks|1997|page=10}} The nickel-steel was produced by Domnarvet.{{sfn|Office of Naval Intelligence|1900|page=80}}

Oden, named after the Norse god, was ordered from the Bergsund Finnboda shipyard in Stockholm and named on 6 October 1894 and laid down in the same year. The design was altered on 11 October 1895 when the stern fighting mast was replaced by a wooden beam with a signalling mast. Launched on 9 March 1896, the ship was exhibited at the General Exhibition of Art and Industry in Stockholm the following year before being commissioned on 8 June 1897. The total cost of the construction was SEK 3,194,000.{{sfn|Fleks|1997|page=10}} On 11 August 1898, the vessel led a flotilla of ships that also included the coastal defence ships {{HSwMS|Svea|1885|2}} and {{HSwMS|Thule|1893|2}} to Copenhagen. While there, the flotilla hosted Christian IX, Crown Prince Frederick, Prince George of Greece and other royalty, returning to Karlskrona on 19 August.{{cite web |url=http://alvsnabben.se/alla_langresor.htm |publisher=Älvsnabben |website=www.alvsnabben.se |title=Långresor och utlandsbesök med svenska örlogsfartyg mellan 1784 - 2005 |trans-title=Long Journeys and International Visits with Swedish Warships between 1837 - 2005 |access-date=8 March 2024 |language=Swedish}}

While taking part in exercises near Sandhamn on 17 September 1901 with other vessels of the Swedish Navy, Oden ran aground. Swift action from the crew of sister ship Thor, which was following, narrowly avoided a collusion. Despite that, damage to the ship's hull and torpedo tubes led to Oden returning to Stockholm for repairs.{{cite news|title=Pansarbåten "Oden" på grund|trans-title=Armoured ship "Oden" aground|newspaper=Helsingborgs Dagblad|date=23 September 1901|number=256|page=4}} On 6 December, funds were released to also upgrade the vessel's armament at the same time as the repairs were completed, with an additional pair of {{convert|12|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} guns replacing two of the casemate-based {{convert|5.7|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} guns and an additional four single {{convert|5.7|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} guns were placed on the superstructure. The following year, the warship represented Sweden at the coronation revue for Edward VII at Spithead.{{sfn|Fleks|1997|pages=10–11}} Between 6 July and 30 September 1903, the ship sailed to Larvik.

On 20 February 1904, Oden was briefly activated in response to activity from the Imperial Russian Navy during the Russo-Japanese War but saw no action.{{cite news|title=Swedish Naval And Military Activity|newspaper=The Times|date=22 February 1904|issue=37323|page=6}} Between 19 and 24 August 1906, the vessel joined sister ship Niord and other ships of the Swedish Navy to host the British Cruiser Squadron under Admiral Day Bosanquet at Gothenburg.{{cite news| title=Naval And Military Intelligence| newspaper=The Times| date=9 August 1906| issue=38094 | page=3}} On 22 August 1913, Oden struck the gunboat {{HSwMS|Urd|1877|2}} while operating near Hven on manoeuvres.{{cite news| title=Naval And Military Intelligence| newspaper=The Times| date=23 August 1913| issue=38094 | page=3}} Urd had been acting as a target ship for the coastal defence ship to test torpedoes near to the lighthouse on Hven, but the limited range of the weapons and primitive rangefinders mounted on the larger ship had meant that the vessels had underestimated the distance between them. The gunboat sank, but no-one died.{{sfn|Insulander|Ohlsson|2001|pages=48–56}}

File:Oden efter ombyggnad.jpg

The ship was taken out of the service and rebuilt at Karlskrona between 1914 and 1915.{{sfn|von Hofsten|Waernberg|Ohlsson|2003|page=116}} The fighting mast was replaced by a much smaller three-legged mast and the two funnels were replaced by one. The remaining casemate-mounted {{convert|5.7|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} guns were removed and those mounted on the superstructure upgraded. The machine guns and torpedo tubes were removed and new boilers installed, which improved performance. Oden resumed service, and briefly provided support to Sweden's neutrality in the First World War.{{sfn|Westerlund|1992|page=92}} After the Armistice of 11 November 1918, the ship was placed in reserve.{{sfn|Gard|Becker|1966|page=133}} Attempts the sell the vessel for scrap failed.{{sfn|Harris|1996|page=16}} In the 1920s, the Navy had plans to rebuild the coastal defence ship as a seaplane carrier but instead the newer {{HMS|Dristigheten||2}} was converted. On 16 July 1937, Oden was withdrawn from service and transferred to the Lagef, or storage area, in Karlskrona. In 1941, it was decided that the ship was no longer required.{{sfn|Fleks|1997|page=11}} Oden was retired and broken up two years later.{{sfn|Harris|1996|page=16}}

{{Reflist|group=Note}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book | last=Campbell | first=N J M | chapter=Sweden | pages=360–363 | editor1-last=Gardiner | editor1-first=Robert | year=1979 | title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905 | publisher=Conway Maritime Press | location=London | isbn=978-0-85177-133-5 | url-access=registration | url = https://archive.org/details/conwaysallworlds0000unse_l2e2}}
• {{cite book | last=Fleks | first=Adam | title=Od Svea Do Drottning Victoria | trans-title=From Svea to Drottning Victoria | location=Tarnowskie Góry | publisher=Okręty Wojenne | year=1997 | isbn=978-8-39022-748-1 | oclc=401825394 | url=https://archive.org/details/ow005odsveadodrottningvictoria. | language=PL}}
• {{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=Naval Weapons of World War One: Guns, Torpedoes, Mines and ASW Weapons of All Nations; An Illustrated Directory|publisher= Seaforth Publishing |location=Barnsley, UK |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-84832-100-7 |author-link=Norman Friedman}}
• {{cite journal | last1=Gard | first1=Bertil | last2=Becker | first2=William A. B | title=Scandinavian Coast Defense Ships: Part I – Sweden | journal=Warship International | volume=3 | number=2 |year=1966 | pages=130–139 | jstor=44885673 | url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/44885673}}
• {{cite journal | last=Harris | first=Daniel G. | title=The Swedish Armoured Coastal Defence Ships | journal=Warship | year=1996 | issue=XX | pages=9–24}}
• {{cite book | last1=von Hofsten | first1=Gustaf | last2=Waernberg | first2=Jan | last3=Ohlsson | first3=Curt S. | title=Örlogsfartyg: Svenska Maskindrivna Fartyg under Tretungad Flagg | trans-title=Naval vessels: Swedish Motor-driven Ships under the Tritongued Flag | location=Stockholm | publisher=Svenskt militärhistoriskt bibl. i samarbete med Marinlitteratur | year=2003 |language=SV | isbn=978-9-19731-873-0}}
• {{cite book | last1=Insulander | first1=Per | last2=Ohlsson | first2=Curt S | title=Pansarskepp: Från John Ericsson till Gustav V | edition=1:a | trans-title=Armoured ships: From John Ericsson to Gustav V | location=Falkenberg | publisher=C B Marinlitteratur AB | year=2001 | isbn=978-9-19731-872-3 | language=SV}}
• {{cite book | author=Office of Naval Intelligence | title=Notes on Naval Progress | series=General Information Series: Information from Abroad | number=XIX | location=Washington | publisher=Government Printing Office | date=July 1900 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=rHkDAAAAYAAJ}}
• {{cite book | last1=Parkes | first1=Oscar | last2=Prendergast | first2=Maurice | title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1919 | publisher=David & Charles | location=Newton Abbott | year=1969 | oclc=907574860}}
• {{cite book | last=Westerlund | first=Karl-Erik | title=Svenska Örlogsfartyg 1855–1905 | trans-title=Swedish Naval Ships 1855–1905 | location=Karlskrona | publisher=Abrahamson | year=1992 | isbn=978-9-18707-213-0 | language=SV}}

{{Oden class coastal defence ship}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Oden}}

Category:1896 ships

Category:Oden-class coastal defence ships

Category:Ships built in Stockholm