The Indefatigable class were the second class built of British battlecruisers which served in the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy during World War I. The design represented a modest reworking
Australia in 1914
Right elevation and deck plan as depicted in Brassey's Naval Annual 1923 The layout depicted in this diagram is in reality that of the Invincible class. Armour thicknesses were those claimed by the Admiralty; actual thicknesses were in some places the same as claimed, but in many places less.
A 12-inch shell being rammed in HMAS Australia; note the interrupted screw of the breech
New Zealand at anchor, circa 1911–14
HMS Indefatigable (1909)
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HMS Indefatigable was the lead ship of her class of three battlecruisers built for the Royal Navy during the first decade of the 20th century. When the First World War began, Indefatigable was serving
Indefatigable-class battlecruiser
…of the Royal Navy, but sacrificed armour protection and one turret from the main battery for a 4-knot (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) speed advantage. Originally Indefatigable was the only ship of the class, but Australia and New Zealand were later built as part of a scheme to improve the defence of the Dominions by having…
HMS Indefatigable
Starboard elevation and deck plan as depicted in Brassey's Naval Annual 1915. Note: plan is of Invincible-class battlecruisers; the Indefatigable-class had a third superstructure element with 'P' & 'Q' turrets more widely spaced.
Indefatigable putting to sea in 1916
Indefatigable sinking after being struck by shells from Von der Tann