Azrael-Class Battleship
The Azrael class was a class of ten heavily armored and fast battleships ordered by the Legionite Navy in 1949. They were initially intended to counteract fast capital ships while also being capable of serving in a traditional battle line alongside slower battleships and act as its "fast wing". Eight vessels were completed, while two more, Camael and Sandalphon, were laid down but canceled in 1961 and 1963, respectively, before completion, and both hulls were scrapped.
The eight Azrael-class ships were the last battleships commissioned in the Royal Navy.
Background
Combat History
Design
Specifications
Ships
Selaphiel
HMS Selaphiel part of the first three of the Azrael class to be completed. It was launched on the 23rd of February 1952 and officially commissioned on the 11th of July 1952. She was named after Selaphiel, the Archangel of Prayer.
Raphael
HMS Raphael was the second of the first three ships to be completed. She was launched on the 1st of March 1952 and was commissioned on the 29th of July 1952. She was named after Raphael, the Archangel of Healing.
Jegudiel
HMS Jegudiel was the last of the fist three ships to be completed. She was launched on the 7th of April 1952 and was commissioned on the 17th of August 1952. She was named after Jegudiel, the Archangel of Workers.
Uriel
HMS Uriel was the first of the second batch of ships to be completed. She was launched on the 11th of October 1956 and was commissioned on the 30th of October 1956. She was named after Uriel, the Archangel of Repentance.
Barachiel
HMS Barachiel was the second of the second batch of ships to be completed. She was launched on the 19th of October 1956 and was commissioned on the 10th on November 1956. She was named after Barachiel, the Archangel of Blessings.
Gabriel
HMS Gabriel was the final ship to be completed of the second batch of ships to be completed. She was launched on the 30th of November 1956 and was commissioned on the 21st of November 1956. She was named after Gabriel, the Archangel of Messengers.
Michael
HMS Michael was the first ship to be completed in the third and final batch of battleships. She was launched on the 21st of January 1961 and commissioned on the 16th of February 1961. She was named after Michael, the leader of the Army of God.
Zadkiel
HMS Zadkiel was the second ship to be completed in the final batch of battleships, and was also the last ship of the Azrael-Class to be completed. She was launched on the 1st of February 1961 and commissioned on the 4th of March 1961. She was named after Zadkiel, the Archangel of Freedom.