Q&A ยท 2:18:13-2:20:31

Warspite, Nubian, Illustrious, and a U-class submarine as a museum fleet

A four-ship preservation choice covers the battle line, destroyer warfare, carrier strike, and the submarine service.

Question

Which four Royal Navy ships from the interwar and wartime era would you preserve as museums?

Short answer

Warspite, a Tribal such as Nubian or Eskimo, Illustrious, and a U-class submarine provide the strongest representative set.

Notes

The choices are limited to ships that survived long enough to be plausible preservation candidates. Warspite represents the battle line, Nubian or Eskimo the Tribal destroyers, Illustrious the wartime carrier force, and a U-class boat the submarine service. Existing preserved cruisers such as Belfast and Caroline make another cruiser less urgent within a four-ship limit. Illustrious is especially valuable because she would provide a permanent material reminder of what carrier strike could accomplish.