HMS Renown, lead ship of a class of two 26,500-ton battlecruisers, was built at Glasgow, Scotland. Completed in September 1916, she served with the Grand Fleet in the North Sea during the remaining two years of World War I. In 1920-21, following a refit, she carried the Prince of Wales on a voyage to Australia and America. During 1923-26, she was extensively refitted to increase her protection against gunfire and torpedoes. After a decade of further service, Renown was again reconstructed, greatly changing her appearance and giving her a modern anti-aircraft gun battery, much enhanced aircraft-handling facilities and up-to-date gunfire controls. This work was completed in September 1939, just after the outbreak of the Second World War. HMS renown served in all major theatres during world war two. during September 1939 she served in the north sea and during October 1939 took part in the search for the German surface raiders Admiral Graf Spee and Deutschland. During August 1940 The renown exchanged fire with the German Battle Cruisers Gneisenau and Scharnhorst but only received slight damage. During the rest of 1940and 1941 HMS Renown served with Force H. renown also took part in the pursuit of the Bismarck. during May 1941. During November 1942 she supported the Allied Landing in North Africa. During early 1944 HMS Renown joined the British eastern Fleet supporting the carrier raids, and also the bombarding of Surabaya. At Durban she had a refit and then returned to home water in March 1945. Due to her poor condition HMS renown was put into reserve and was finally scrapped at Faslane, Scotland on August 1948