Dreadnought

Dreadnought, British battleship (built 1906) whose design became the model for warships of the first half of the 20th century. Weighing 18,000 tons and capable of traveling at 21 knots (24 mph/38 kmph), the Dreadnought carried ten 12-in (30.5-cm) guns. At the time of its completion there was nothing afloat to match its speed and firepower. By the outbreak of World War I 9 Dreadnought-class ships and 12 other big-gun battleships were in service in the British navy.

See also: Battleship.