HSwMS Oscar II

File:Oscar II armour & armament.JPG

Sweden appointed a commission in 1901 to analyse the state of naval defence and see what future ships were required to meet the country's needs.{{sfn|Insulander|Ohlsson|2001|page=80}} The commission looked at developments in other countries, particularly the escalating Anglo-German naval arms race, and decided that instead of creating a battleship similar to those being constructed abroad, a smaller vessel that relied on speed and the ability to exploit the tactical advantages of the Swedish archipelago would be more appropriate.{{sfn|Insulander|Ohlsson|2001|page=80}}

The commission proposed three alternatives:{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|pages=61–62}}

Despite the commission's preference for the cheapest option, the Swedish Parliament (the Riksdag) voted for the third solution on the recommendation of Louis Palander, the Naval Secretary.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=62}}

The resulting design was a modernised and slightly larger version of the {{sclass|Äran|coastal defence ship}}. As built, Oscar II had a normal displacement of {{convert|4273|t|LT|lk=on}}, displacing {{convert|4584|t|LT}} at full load.{{sfn|von Hofsten|Waernberg|2003|page=122}} The vessel had a waterline length of {{convert|95.6|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}, a beam of {{convert|15.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} and draught of {{convert|5.49|m|ft|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Campbell|1979|page=361}} The ship was designed to have a normal complement of 326 officers and ratings.{{sfn|Prendergast|Parkes|1904|page=287}} A command staff of nine officers could also be carried.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=64}}

The ship was powered by a pair of four-cylinder triple expansion steam engines built by Motala Verkstad, each driving a three-bladed screw.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=63}} The engines were rated at {{convert|9400|shp|kW|lk=on}}.{{sfn|Moore|1990|page=258}} Steam was provided at {{convert|16.5|kg/cm2|lb/sqin|abbr=on|lk=on}} by ten Yarrow water-tube marine boilers distributed in three rooms.{{sfn|von Hofsten|Waernberg|2003|page=122}} The vessel was the only three-funnelled coastal defence ship in Swedish service.{{sfn|Campbell|1979|page=361}} Coal capacity was {{convert|500|t|LT|order=flip|abbr=on}}, providing a range of {{convert|3550|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|11|kn|0|lk=in}} and {{convert|1100|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|17.8|kn|0|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=63}} During trials, the ship averaged {{convert|18.14|kn|abbr=on}} with coal consumption {{convert|0.95|kg/h|lb/h|abbr=on|lk=in}} per horsepower.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=64}}

The main battery consisted of two Bofors {{convert|210|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} K/44 M98 guns mounted in single turrets fore and aft on the centreline.{{sfn|Moore|1990|page=258}} Designed in 1898, they were similar to the guns carried by the earlier Äran class. The guns fired {{convert|276|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}} shells at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|750|m/s|ft/s|lk=in}} and a rate of fire of two shells per minute.{{sfn|Friedman|2011|page=304}} For secondary armament, the ship used the {{convert|152|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} K/50 M03 gun also provided by Bofors that had previously been used on the armoured cruiser {{ship|HSwMS|Fylgia}}. These weapons could fire {{convert|100|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}} shells at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|2789|ft/s|m/s|order=flip|abbr=on}} and a rate of fire of 2.7 shells per minute.{{sfn|Friedman|2011|page=306}} Eight were mounted in pairs in four turrets amidships, two on either side of the superstructure.{{sfn|Prendergast|Parkes|1904|page=287}} These weapons were supplemented by ten 57 mm kanon M/89B manufactured by Finspång, five mounted singly on each side of the bridge. Three {{convert|37|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} Bofors M/98 guns were carried ready to be mounted on the ship's boats for fire support if they were being used to transport landing parties.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=63}} Two tubes for {{convert|457|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} torpedoes were fitted below the waterline.{{sfn|von Hofsten|Waernberg|2003|page=123}}

The armour for Oscar II was an improvement on that of the Äran class, particularly expanding the protection to lower decks.{{sfn|Prendergast|Parkes|1904|page=365}} The ship was equipped with a {{convert|67|m|ftin|abbr=on|adj=on}}-long armoured belt that was provided by Schneider-Creusot. It was {{convert|150|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick amidships, diminishing to {{convert|125|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} and finally {{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} forward and aft.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=63}} Above this was a citadel which was {{convert|23|m|ftin|abbr=on|adj=on}} long, with armour 100 mm thick and barbettes with {{convert|175|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick armoured steel, mounted on a main deck with {{convert|22|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} armoured plate mounted on 22 mm steel plate. The conning towers were also armoured, {{convert|157|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick forward and 100 mm aft, while the bridge and upper deck had plating {{convert|10|and|57|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick. The turrets had Krupp armour which was between {{convert|60|and|125|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|pages=63–64}}

The ship was first modernised in 1910 when a tripod mast was fitted, and other minor upgrades took place over the ship's life, including fitting new high angle mounts for two of the 57 mm guns for anti-aircraft defence in 1916.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=66}} A more substantial upgrade took place in 1939.{{sfn|Kafka|Pepperburg|1946|page=899}} The boilers were replaced and the forward two fitted for oil firing. More space was made available for fire control by removing the torpedo tubes, which was used to fit a new fire-control system with a new director and sonar. At the same time, the 57 mm mounts were removed and replaced by an anti-aircraft battery provided by Bofors consisting of four 57 mm M/38 guns, two Bofors 25 mm M/32 guns and four {{convert|8|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} M/36 machine guns.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|pages=66–67}} Three searchlights and a paravane were also fitted for defence against mines.{{sfn|Insulander|Ohlsson|2001|page=82}} Normal displacement increased to {{convert|4400|LT|t}}, while full displacement was now {{convert|4850|LT|t}}.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=67}}

File:On the deck of the Swedish ship, officers at attention.jpg

Design of the new vessel was approved on 22 May 1903 and an order placed at Lindholmens Mekaniska Verkstad in Gothenburg on 23 September at the cost of {{SEK|3,390,000|link=yes}}.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=62}} Construction work started shortly afterwards.{{sfn|Preston|1972|page=256}} The ship's namesake King Oscar II was to launch the vessel on 6 June 1905. However, a combination of a labour dispute and the escalating dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden led to delays until 10 June, when the ship was launched with a non-traditional send off, as the use of champagne in the ceremony had been prohibited by Queen Sophia.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=63}} It was the first time that a Swedish warship had been named after a living monarch since 1824.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|pages=62–63}}

Oscar II entered service as flagship of the Swedish Navy on 3 April 1907.{{sfn|Insulander|Ohlsson|2001|page=82}} The ship was soon showing the flag, travelling to England in the middle of the year, and then returning in time for the King to sign his name on the aft conning tower shortly before he died.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=65}} The ship continued to host Swedish royalty, leaving for Saint Petersburg, Russia, on 29 April 1908 to take Prince Wilhelm, Duke of Södermanland, to marry Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna and transporting King Gustav V to Sassnitz, Germany, on 6 July 1909 where he met Wilhelm II.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=65}}

The next three years saw the ship tour the Mediterranean Sea and then subsequently visit ports in many countries including Denmark, England, Germany and the Netherlands. In the middle of 1912, the vessel carried the King and Queen Victoria of Sweden to Finland to visit Nicholas II of Russia. Shortly afterwards, the ship was briefly mobilised as flagship of the Swedish fleet in response to the First Balkan War, but swiftly returned to royal duties, providing transport for the King's visit to Christian X of Denmark in June 1913, welcoming Victor Emmanuel III of Italy in July 1913 and escorting President Raymond Poincaré of France in July 1914.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=65}}

When the First World War started in that same month, the Swedish fleet was mobilised with Oscar II as flagship to protect the nation's trade routes and shipping fleet.{{sfn|Agius|2013|page=68}} Due to the country's neutrality in the war, the vessel spent much of the war practicing firing and damage control.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=66}} However, the ship participated in the invasion of Åland in 1918, arriving on 19 February along with the newer coastal defence ship {{ship|HSwMS|Sverige}} and a contingent from the Vaxholm Coastal Artillery Regiment.{{sfn|Danielson-Kalmari|1920|page=148}} Sweden had an interest in the islands, which heightened following Sweden's recognition of Finnish independence and reports of atrocities committed against the Swedish-speaking inhabitants. With Russian forces in disarray due to Russian Civil War, with both sides claiming the islands, the Swedish government saw an opportunity to occupy them. However, Germany was also interested in gaining the islands as part of a wider strategy to control the Baltic Sea and sent a substantial fleet at the same time.{{sfn|Salmon|1997|page=164}} Oscar II was on station on 5 March when the German dreadnought battleships {{ship|SMS|Rheinland}} and {{ship|SMS|Westfalen||2}} arrived. The ship was a fundamental part of the Swedish display of force that preceded negotiations for a peaceful settlement that resulted in Germany gaining possession.{{sfn|Staff|2010|page=27}} The vessel was one of the last Swedish units to leave the islands, finally departing on 23 April.{{sfn|Danielson-Kalmari|1920|page=149}}

Decommissioned in September 1918 in need of a complete overhaul, the ship remained out of service for the next eleven years apart from a brief period in late 1923 and early 1924.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=67}} Oscar II was brought back into service in 1929 and was mainly used for training, attached to the Royal Swedish Naval Staff College.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=67}} Operations were not confined to Sweden, though, and the ship visited Portsmouth, England, in 1935.{{cite web|title=Swedish training ship at Portsmouth|website=British Pathé|url=https://www.britishpathe.com/video/swedish-training-ship-at-portsmouth-news-in-a-nuts/query/Portsmouth}}

File:Oscar II during WW2.jpg

The vessel was given a significant upgrade in the run up to the Second World War, the work being completed in November 1939.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=67}} The freshly modernised ship then served as part of the Swedish Navy. During the war, the vessel was posted to Karlskrona but saw no action as Sweden once again remained neutral.{{sfn|Holmquist|1972|page=208}}

After the war, Sweden decided to retire the whole fleet of coastal defence ships. Oscar II had one last royal journey, to bring the body of Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, home after he died in a KLM Douglas DC-3 air crash at Copenhagen Airport on 26 January 1947, before being decommissioned on 24 February 1950.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|pages=68–69}} The hulk was subsequently equipped with learning spaces and used for training managing leaks and radioactive contamination, including decontamination drills.{{sfn|Stover|Nyman|1960|page=17}} After a further twenty-six years in service, the vessel was sold for {{SEK|850,000|link=no}} on 11 September 1974 to be broken up for scrap.{{sfn|Borgenstam|2017|page=69}} Oscar II was the last coastal defence ship in the Swedish Navy, outlasting the more modern {{HSwMS|Gustaf V}} by four years.{{sfn|Gardiner|1983|page=377}}

• List of coastal defence ships of the Swedish Navy

{{Notelist}}

{{Commons category|HMS Oscar II (ship, 1905)|HSwMS Oscar II}}

{{Reflist|20em}}

• {{cite book |last=Agius |first=Christine |title=The Social Construction of Swedish Neutrality: Challenges to Swedish Identity and Sovereignty |location=Manchester |publisher=Manchester University Press| year=2013 |isbn=978-1-84779-199-3}}
• {{cite journal |last=Borgenstam |first=Curt |title=Swedish Coastal Defence Ship Oscar II |journal=International Navy Journal |volume=5 |number=1 |year=2017 |issn=2411-3204 |pages=61–69 |url=http://ejournal37.com/journals_n/1508159082.pdf |access-date=2018-09-18 |archive-date=2020-02-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211221041/http://ejournal37.com/journals_n/1508159082.pdf |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite book |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905 |editor1-last=Chesneau |editor1-first=Roger |editor2-last=Kolesnik |editor2-first=Eugene M. |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |location=Greenwich |year=1979 |isbn=0-8317-0302-4 |name-list-style=amp |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/conwaysallworlds0000unse_l2e2|chapter=Sweden|author1-last=Campbell|author1-first=N. J. M.|pages=360–363}}
• {{cite book |last=Danielson-Kalmari |first=Johan Richard |title=Ahvenanmaan Asia: vv. 1914–1920 |trans-title=The Åland Affair: 1914–1920 |location=Helsinki |publisher=Olava | year=1920 |language=fi |oclc=253288536}}
• {{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 book |editor-last1=Gardiner |editor-first1=Robert |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1982: The Warsaw Pact and Non-Aligned Nations |year=1983 |location=London |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |isbn=978-0-85177-278-3}}
• {{cite book |last=Holmquist |first=Åke |title=Flottans beredskap 1938-1940 |trans-title=Fleet Readiness 1938–1940 |location=Uddevalla |publisher=Bohusläningens AB |year=1972 |language=sv |isbn=978-9-13800-216-2}}
• {{cite book |last1=Insulander |first1=Per |last2=Ohlsson |first2=Curt S. |name-list-style=amp |title=Pansarskepp – Från John Ericsson till Gustav V |trans-title=Coastal Defence Ships: From John Ericsson to Gustav V |location=Falkenber |publisher=C B Marinlitteratur AB |year=2001 |language=sv |isbn=91-9731-872-8}}
• {{cite book |last1=Kafka |first1=Roger |last2=Pepperburg |first2=Roy L |name-list-style=amp |title=Warships of the World |location=New York |publisher=Cornell Maritime |year=1946 |oclc=464547986}}
• {{cite book |last=Moore |first=John |title=Jane's Fighting Ships of World War I |title-link=Jane's Fighting Ships |location=London |publisher=Jane's |year=1990 |isbn=978-1-8517-0378-4}}
• {{cite book |last1=Prendergast |first1=Maurice |last2=Parkes |first2=Oscar |name-list-style=amp |title=Jane's Fighting Ships |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd |location=London |year=1904}}
• {{cite book |last=Preston |first=Antony |title=Battleships of World War I: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Battleships of All Nations, 1914–1918 |location=New York |publisher=Galahad Books |year=1972 |isbn=978-0-81170-211-9}}
• {{cite book |last=Salmon |first=Patrick |title=Scandinavia and the Great Powers 1890–1940 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-521-89102-8}}
• {{cite book |last=Staff |first=Gary |title=German Battleships 1914–18 (1): Deutschland, Nassau and Helgoland classes |location=Oxford |publisher=Osprey |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-78096-337-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=1780963378}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Stover |first1=John H. |last2=Nyman |first2=Svante |title=Damage Control and ABC Training in the Royal Swedish Navy |journal=Naval Training Bulletin |year=1960 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WeizN9GFrb4C&pg=RA4-PA14}}
• {{cite book |last1=von Hofsten |first1=Gustav |last2=Waernberg |first2=Jan |name-list-style=amp |title=Örlogsfartyg: Svenska maskindrivna fartyg under tretungad flagg |trans-title=Warships: Swedish Steamships Serving under the Flag of Three Crowns |edition=1:a |location=Karlskrona |publisher=Svenskt Militärhistoriskt Bibliotek |year=2003 |language=sv |isbn=978-9-19743-843-8}}

{{WWII Swedish ships}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oscar II}}

Category:1905 ships

Category:Coastal defence ships of the Swedish Navy

Category:Ships built in Gothenburg

Category:World War II naval ships of Sweden