Shortest lived of her class, if only be a day, the battlecruiser (or battleship, depending on one's own opinion) Hiei was an interesting case. Here was a ship that snuck by naval treaties by lies and deceit. And yet, despite that, giving good service in the role she was forced into as a training ship.
True enough, her combat career could be considered lackluster and boring. But I believe that a ship doesn't need an exciting career full of big battles to be interesting to look at, in detail.
Further Reading:
https://www.amazon.com/ImperialJapan...
https://www.amazon.com/Kong%C5%8DCla...