Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 55:40-56:32

Arctic ice loads on HMS Belfast and HMS Sheffield

Photographs of Belfast and Sheffield prompt an estimate of severe ice loading and a discussion of its effects on freeboard and turrets.

Arctic ConvoysHMS BelfastHMS SheffieldLive Q&ANaval LogisticsRoyal NavyShip Stability
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Question

What is the greatest recorded ice load that a warship has carried and survived?

Short answer

Belfast and Sheffield are suggested from photographs, with a rough estimate of ice equal to 70 percent of their displacement. No measured tonnage record is offered.

Notes

No measured maximum in tons is offered for this comparison. Photographs of HMS Belfast and HMS Sheffield are used to suggest that ice may have added roughly 70 percent to their displacement. This is an estimate discussed in the video, rather than a weighed load. The accumulated ice reduced freeboard while building up around the upper works like an extra deck, and it also interfered with the turrets.