![]() The new-model turrets would not fit the Swiftsure hull, requiring a re-design and some re-construction were they to be used on the ships then under construction. Like the previous class, she had six torpedo tubes, minimal armor protection and a top speed of 31.5 knots.ĭesign changes came even as construction slowly continued, with the main battery of 6-inch Mark XXIII guns replaced, on paper at least, by the far more capable dual-purpose Mark XXIV which featured automatic tracking and radar fire control against both surface and aerial targets. As an additional weight-saving measure, she had no aircraft (these having been removed from the Crown Colony class during the war as well). Only one out of six of the second group would be completed to the original design, commissioning only after the war had ended.Īn enlarged Crown Colony design, Swiftsure carried nine six-inch guns from the start and greater allotments of fuel and anti-aircraft weaponry as well as the latest electronic suite. Of the first group (of two ships), one cruiser completed in 1944 (and was then transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy) and the second a year later. The follow-on Swiftsure class of eight ships in two subclasses would have been laid down in 1941, but wartime needs delayed the start of construction of several. The turret would be removed from four other ships during the course of the war two were sunk before the modification could be carried out and only two finished the conflict carrying all 12 six-inch guns. Increasing need for light anti-aircraft weaponry, new electronics (fire-direction and radar) and the crews to handle both made the cruisers seriously top-heavy, leading to the re-design of three ships while fitting out to remove “X” turret (the super-firing position aft). They saw hard service during the war in all theaters one, Trinidad, becoming unfortunately famous for torpedoing herself while escorting a convoy to Murmansk. Eight of the ships carried 12 six-inch guns, while three had just nine. Eleven ships were laid down in 19, entering service between 19. The Crown Colony class officially displaced 8,000 tons, to meet the new limits of the Second London Treaty (in reality they came in slightly overweight). In the mid-1930’s Britain laid down a huge class of light cruisers to replace aging veterans of the Great War. The Royal Navy needed cruisers, and believed 70 such ships would be needed to fulfill its missions ![]() Battleships couldn’t be parceled out around the globe, while destroyers lacked both the range and physical impressiveness. Though chiefly symbolic, these missions did require ships that could back up the bluster. Warships needed to show the flag in foreign ports, guard British commerce (and that of other nations, thereby enhancing British prestige), and assure protectorates that they were indeed protected. Britain’s Royal Navy entered the Second World War with a huge list of world-wide commitments.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |