Town-class cruiser (1910): Difference between revisions

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|Operators=*{{navy|United Kingdom}}
|Operators=*{{navy|United Kingdom}}
*{{navy|Australia|1913}}
*{{navy|Australia|1913}}
|Class before=None
|Class before={{sclass|Active|cruiser|4}}, {{sclass|Topaze|cruiser|4}}
|Class after={{sclass|Hawkins|cruiser|4}}
|Class after={{sclass|Hawkins|cruiser|4}}, [[Arethusa-class cruiser (1913)|Arethusa-class (1913)]]
|Subclasses=*''Bristol''
|Subclasses=*''Bristol''
*''Weymouth''
*''Weymouth''
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|}
|}
The '''Town class''' was a group of twenty-one [[light cruiser]]s built for the [[Royal Navy]] (RN) and [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN) of the first half of the 20th century. These vessels were long-range cruisers, suitable for patrolling the vast expanse covered by the [[British Empire]]. These ships, initially rated as [[second class cruisers]], were built to a series of designs, known as the ''Bristol'' (five ships), ''Weymouth'' (four ships), ''Chatham'' (three RN ships, plus three RAN ships), ''Birmingham'' (three ships, plus one similar RAN ship) and ''Birkenhead'' (two ships) [[ship class|class]]es – all having the names of British [[town]]s except for the RAN ships, which were named after Australian cities.
The '''Town class''' was a group of twenty-one [[light cruiser]]s built for the [[Royal Navy]] (RN) and [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN) of the first half of the 20th century. These vessels were long-range cruisers, suitable for patrolling the vast expanse covered by the [[British Empire]]. These ships, initially rated as [[second class cruisers]], were built to a series of designs, known as the ''Bristol'' (five ships), ''Weymouth'' (four ships), ''Chatham'' (three RN ships, plus three RAN ships), ''Birmingham'' (three ships, plus one similar RAN ship) and ''Birkenhead'' (two ships) [[ship class|class]]es – all having the names of British [[town]]s except for the RAN ships, which were named after Australian cities.
In 1911, the system for classifying cruisers changed such that ships over 6,000 tons were simply 'cruisers'. This would have included armored cruisers and 1st class protected cruiser. The smaller protected cruisers, scout cruisers, and the new ''Town''s were to be 'light cruisers'. Effectivley then, the ''Weymouth''s were the first Royal Navy ships built as light cruisers<ref name="Cruisers of the Royal and Commonwealth Navies">Morris, p.120</ref>


==Design==
==Design==
=== ''Bristol'' class ===
=== ''Bristol'' subclass ===
[[File:Bristol class cruiser diagrams Janes 1914.jpg|thumb|left|Left elevation and deck plan of ''Bristol'' sub-class as depicted in [[Jane's Fighting Ships]] 1914]]
[[File:Bristol class cruiser diagrams Janes 1914.jpg|thumb|left|Left elevation and deck plan of ''Bristol'' sub-class as depicted in [[Jane's Fighting Ships]] 1914]]
The ''Bristol'' class{{#tag:ref|Sometimes known as the ''Glasgow'' class.<ref name="warv1n1 p56">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 1, p. 56.</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} were all ordered under the 1908–09 Programme and commissioned in late 1910.<ref name="warv1n3 p50">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 3, p. 50.</ref> They were second class cruisers suitable for a variety of roles including both trade protection and fleet duties.<ref name="conways06 p51">Preston 1985, p. 51.</ref> They were {{convert|453|ft|m|1}} [[length overall|long overall]], with a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|47|ft|m|1}} and a [[Draft (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|15|ft|6|in|m|1}}. [[Displacement (ship)|Displacement]] was {{convert|4800|LT|t|lk=on}} normal and {{convert|5300|LT|t}} full load. Twelve [[Yarrow boiler|Yarrow three-drum boilers]] fed [[steam turbine]]s rated at {{convert|22000|shp|kW|lk=in}}, giving a speed of {{convert|25|kn|lk=in}}. One ship, ''Bristol'', had Brown-Curtis turbines driving two propeller shafts, while the remaining three ships used [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] turbines driving four shafts.<ref name="conways06 p51"/> Speed during [[sea trials]] varied between {{convert|25.856|kn}} (''Glasgow'') and {{convert|27.012|kn}} (''Bristol'').<ref name="warv1n2 p60">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 60.</ref> The experimental two-shaft layout of ''Bristol'' was successful, giving greater efficiency, especially at lower speeds.<ref name="warv1n2 p59">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 59.</ref> The ships used both coal and oil for fuel, with 1353 tons of coal and 260 tons of oil carried,<ref name="janesww1 p61">Moore 1990, p. 61.</ref> giving an endurance of about {{convert|5070|nmi|-1}} at {{convert|16|kn}}.<ref name="conways06 p51"/>
The ''Bristol''s {{#tag:ref|Sometimes known as the ''Glasgow'' subclass.<ref name="warv1n1 p56">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 1, p. 56.</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} were all ordered under the 1908–09 Programme and commissioned in late 1910.<ref name="warv1n3 p50">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 3, p. 50.</ref> They were second class cruisers suitable for a variety of roles including both trade protection and fleet duties.<ref name="conways06 p51">Preston 1985, p. 51.</ref> They were {{convert|453|ft|m|1}} [[length overall|long overall]], with a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|47|ft|m|1}} and a [[Draft (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|15|ft|6|in|m|1}}. [[Displacement (ship)|Displacement]] was {{convert|4800|LT|t|lk=on}} normal and {{convert|5300|LT|t}} full load. Twelve [[Yarrow boiler|Yarrow three-drum boilers]] fed [[steam turbine]]s rated at {{convert|22000|shp|kW|lk=in}}, giving a speed of {{convert|25|kn|lk=in}}. One ship, ''Bristol'', had Brown-Curtis turbines driving two propeller shafts, while the remaining three ships used [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] turbines driving four shafts.<ref name="conways06 p51"/> Speed during [[sea trials]] varied between {{convert|25.856|kn}} (''Glasgow'') and {{convert|27.012|kn}} (''Bristol'').<ref name="warv1n2 p60">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 60.</ref> The experimental two-shaft layout of ''Bristol'' was successful, giving greater efficiency, especially at lower speeds.<ref name="warv1n2 p59">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 59.</ref> The ships used both coal and oil for fuel, with 1353 tons of coal and 260 tons of oil carried,<ref name="janesww1 p61">Moore 1990, p. 61.</ref> giving an endurance of about {{convert|5070|nmi|-1}} at {{convert|16|kn}}.<ref name="conways06 p51"/>


The ''Bristol''s were [[protected cruiser]]s, with an armoured deck providing protection for the ships' vitals. The armoured deck was {{convert|2|in|mm}} thick over the [[Magazine (artillery)|magazines]] and machinery, {{convert|1|in|mm}} over the steering gear and {{convert|3/4|in|mm|0}} elsewhere. The [[conning tower]] was protected by {{convert|6|in|mm}} of armour, with the gun shields having {{convert|3|in|mm}} armour, as did the ammunition hoists.<ref name="warv1n2 p59"/> As the protective deck was at [[waterline]], the ships were given a large [[metacentric height]] so that they would remain stable in the event of flooding above the armoured deck. This, however, resulted in the ships [[Ship motions#Rotation motions|rolling]] badly, making them poor gun platforms.<ref name="Brown p63">Brown 2010, p. 63.</ref> One problem with the armour of the ''Bristol''s which was shared with the other Town-class ships was the sizable gap between the bottom of the gun shields and the deck, which allowed shell splinters to pass through the gap, leading to large numbers of leg injuries in the ships' gun crews.<ref name="warv1n2 p57">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 57.</ref><ref name="Brown p160">Brown 2010, p. 160.</ref>
The ''Bristol''s were [[protected cruiser]]s, with an armoured deck providing protection for the ships' vitals. The armoured deck was {{convert|2|in|mm}} thick over the [[Magazine (artillery)|magazines]] and machinery, {{convert|1|in|mm}} over the steering gear and {{convert|3/4|in|mm|0}} elsewhere. The [[conning tower]] was protected by {{convert|6|in|mm}} of armour, with the gun shields having {{convert|3|in|mm}} armour, as did the ammunition hoists.<ref name="warv1n2 p59"/> As the protective deck was at [[waterline]], the ships were given a large [[metacentric height]] so that they would remain stable in the event of flooding above the armoured deck. This, however, resulted in the ships [[Ship motions#Rotation motions|rolling]] badly, making them poor gun platforms.<ref name="Brown p63">Brown 2010, p. 63.</ref> One problem with the armour of the ''Bristol''s which was shared with the other Town-class ships was the sizable gap between the bottom of the gun shields and the deck, which allowed shell splinters to pass through the gap, leading to large numbers of leg injuries in the ships' gun crews.<ref name="warv1n2 p57">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 57.</ref><ref name="Brown p160">Brown 2010, p. 160.</ref>


It was originally intended that the ''Bristol'' class would be fitted with a main gun armament of unshielded {{convert|4|in|mm|0|adj=on}} guns, but the need to counter German light cruisers (such as the {{sclass|Königsberg|cruiser|4||1905}}), which were armed with ten {{convert|105|mm|adj=on|1}} guns that outranged British 4-inch guns, resulted in the new class's armament being revised.<ref name="conways06 p51"/><ref name="Brown p63"/> They had two [[BL 6 inch Mk XI naval gun|BL 6-inch (152 mm) Mk XI naval guns]] mounted on the ships' centreline fore and aft, with ten [[BL 4 inch naval gun Mk VII|BL 4-inch Mk VII]] guns in waist mountings. All these guns were fitted with shields.<ref name="conways06 p51"/> Four [[Ordnance QF 3-pounder Vickers|Vickers 3-pounder (47 mm)]] [[saluting gun]]s were fitted, while two submerged [[British 18 inch torpedo|18 inch (450 mm) torpedo]] [[torpedo tube|tubes]] were fitted, with seven torpedoes carried.<ref name="warv1n2 p55,7">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 55, 57.</ref> This armament was considered rather too light for ships of this size,<ref name="warv1n1 p53">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 1, p. 53.</ref> while the waist guns were subject to immersion in a high sea, making them difficult to work.<ref name="Brown p63"/>
It was originally intended that the ''Bristol''s would be fitted with a main gun armament of unshielded {{convert|4|in|mm|0|adj=on}} guns, but the need to counter German light cruisers (such as the {{sclass|Königsberg|cruiser|4||1905}}), which were armed with ten {{convert|105|mm|adj=on|1}} guns that outranged British 4-inch guns, resulted in the new class's armament being revised.<ref name="conways06 p51"/><ref name="Brown p63"/> They had two [[BL 6 inch Mk XI naval gun|BL 6-inch (152 mm) Mk XI naval guns]] mounted on the ships' centreline fore and aft, with ten [[BL 4 inch naval gun Mk VII|BL 4-inch Mk VII]] guns in waist mountings. All these guns were fitted with shields.<ref name="conways06 p51"/> Four [[Ordnance QF 3-pounder Vickers|Vickers 3-pounder (47 mm)]] [[saluting gun]]s were fitted, while two submerged [[British 18 inch torpedo|18 inch (450 mm) torpedo]] [[torpedo tube|tubes]] were fitted, with seven torpedoes carried.<ref name="warv1n2 p55,7">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 55, 57.</ref> This armament was considered rather too light for ships of this size,<ref name="warv1n1 p53">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 1, p. 53.</ref> while the waist guns were subject to immersion in a high sea, making them difficult to work.<ref name="Brown p63"/>


They had a crew of 480 officers and men,<ref name="conways06 p51"/> with the officers accommodated in the forward part of the ship, rather than aft as per tradition, following the instructions of Admiral [[John Fisher, 1st Baron Fisher|Fisher]] to improve fighting efficiency. This arrangement was unpopular, however, as it was preferred to keep officer's and other ranks accommodation separate for disciplinary reasons, while the ''Bristol'' class were very cramped, with only {{convert|12.5|sqft|m2}} for each seaman to live, eat, and sleep.<ref name="Brown p63"/><ref name="warv1n2 p61">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 61.</ref><ref name="Brown p59">Brown 2009, p. 59.</ref> In the [[World War I|First World War]], the class's anti-aircraft armament was increased with the fitting of a single [[QF 3 inch 20 cwt|QF 3 inch (76 mm) 20 cwt gun]].<ref name="conways06 p51"/>
They had a crew of 480 officers and men,<ref name="conways06 p51"/> with the officers accommodated in the forward part of the ship, rather than aft as per tradition, following the instructions of Admiral [[John Fisher, 1st Baron Fisher|Fisher]] to improve fighting efficiency. This arrangement was unpopular, however, as it was preferred to keep officer's and other ranks accommodation separate for disciplinary reasons, while the ''Bristol''s were very cramped, with only {{convert|12.5|sqft|m2}} for each seaman to live, eat, and sleep.<ref name="Brown p63"/><ref name="warv1n2 p61">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 61.</ref><ref name="Brown p59">Brown 2009, p. 59.</ref> In the [[World War I|First World War]], the class's anti-aircraft armament was increased with the fitting of a single [[QF 3 inch 20 cwt|QF 3 inch (76 mm) 20 cwt gun]].<ref name="conways06 p51"/>


===''Weymouth'' class===
===''Weymouth'' subclass===
The '''''Weymouth'' class'''{{#tag:ref|Often known as the ''Falmouth'' class, particularly in contemporary accounts.<ref name="warv1n1 p56"/>|group=lower-alpha}} were ordered under the 1909–1910 Programme and commissioned between 1911 and 1912.<ref name="warv1n3 p50"/> Major changes from the ''Bristol'' class included a heavier main armament of eight 6 in guns, and changes to improve seaworthiness and reduce overcrowding.<ref name="warv1n1 p53"/> They were {{convert|453|ft|m|1}} long overall, with a beam of {{convert|48|ft|6|in|m}} and a draught of {{convert|15|ft|6|in|m|1}}. [[Displacement (ship)|Displacement]] was {{convert|5250|LT|t}} normal and {{convert|5800|LT|t}} full load. Machinery was similar to the ''Bristol'' class, with again a single example (''Yarmouth'') having the Brown-Curtis turbines and two-shaft arrangement used in ''Bristol'', while the remaining three ships had the four-shaft, Yarrow turbine machinery. Speed remained 25 knots.<ref name="conways06 p52">Preston 1985, p. 52.</ref>
The '''''Weymouth'' subclass'''{{#tag:ref|Often known as the ''Falmouth'' subclass, particularly in contemporary accounts.<ref name="warv1n1 p56"/>|group=lower-alpha}} were ordered under the 1909–1910 Programme and commissioned between 1911 and 1912.<ref name="warv1n3 p50"/> Major changes from the ''Bristol'' subclass included a heavier main armament of eight 6 in guns, and changes to improve seaworthiness and reduce overcrowding.<ref name="warv1n1 p53"/> They were {{convert|453|ft|m|1}} long overall, with a beam of {{convert|48|ft|6|in|m}} and a draught of {{convert|15|ft|6|in|m|1}}. [[Displacement (ship)|Displacement]] was {{convert|5250|LT|t}} normal and {{convert|5800|LT|t}} full load. Machinery was similar to the ''Bristol'' subclass, with again a single example (''Yarmouth'') having the Brown-Curtis turbines and two-shaft arrangement used in the ''Bristol''s, while the remaining three ships had the four-shaft, Yarrow turbine machinery. Speed remained 25 knots.<ref name="conways06 p52">Preston 1985, p. 52.</ref>


[[File:HMS Weymouth (1910).jpg|thumb|HMS ''Weymouth'']]
[[File:HMS Weymouth (1910).jpg|thumb|HMS ''Weymouth'']]
Armour remained unchanged from the ''Bristol''s,<ref name="warv1n2 p59">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 59.</ref> while the main gun armament was changed to eight BL 6 inch Mk XI guns. The arrangement of the armament was revised, with three guns (one on the centreline and two on the beam) on an enlarged [[forecastle]] that also provided accommodation for the ships' officers. The remaining waist guns were protected by a [[Bulwark (nautical)|bulwark]] to make them more weather resistant. Torpedo armament was increased, with two 21-inch (533&nbsp;mm) submerged tubes (with seven torpedoes carried), while the ships' armament was completed by four 3-pounder saluting guns.<ref name="conways06 p52"/><ref name="warv1n2 p55,7"/>
Armour remained unchanged from the ''Bristol''s,<ref name="warv1n2 p59">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 59.</ref> while the main gun armament was changed to eight BL 6 inch Mk XI guns. The arrangement of the armament was revised, with three guns (one on the centreline and two on the beam) on an enlarged [[forecastle]] that also provided accommodation for the ships' officers. The remaining waist guns were protected by a [[Bulwark (nautical)|bulwark]] to make them more weather resistant. Torpedo armament was increased, with two 21-inch (533&nbsp;mm) submerged tubes (with seven torpedoes carried), while the ships' armament was completed by four 3-pounder saluting guns.<ref name="conways06 p52"/><ref name="warv1n2 p55,7"/>


The class saw a number of alterations during the war, including the addition of a single 3&nbsp;in (76&nbsp;mm) AA gun in 1915, while the surviving ships were fitted with [[Director (military)|director control]] equipment for the ships' guns on a new tripod foremast.<ref name="conways06 p52"/> In 1917, ''Yarmouth'' was the first light cruiser to be able to operate aircraft, being fitted with a ramp above the conning tower and forecastle gun to allow a [[Sopwith Pup]] to be launched from the ship, although the aircraft could not land back on it so the pilot would have to ditch into the sea if it was not possible to reach land.<ref name="Jones p24-6">Jones 1931, pp. 24–26.</ref><ref name="warv1n2 p61"/> In 1918, ''Weymouth'' also received a similar installation.<ref name="conways06 p52"/>
The ''Weymouth''s saw a number of alterations during the war, including the addition of a single 3&nbsp;in (76&nbsp;mm) AA gun in 1915, while the surviving ships were fitted with [[Director (military)|director control]] equipment for the ships' guns on a new tripod foremast.<ref name="conways06 p52"/> In 1917, ''Yarmouth'' was the first light cruiser to be able to operate aircraft, being fitted with a ramp above the conning tower and forecastle gun to allow a [[Sopwith Pup]] to be launched from the ship, although the aircraft could not land back on it so the pilot would have to ditch into the sea if it was not possible to reach land.<ref name="Jones p24-6">Jones 1931, pp. 24–26.</ref><ref name="warv1n2 p61"/> In 1918, ''Weymouth'' also received a similar installation.<ref name="conways06 p52"/>


===''Chatham'' class===
===''Chatham'' subclass===
[[File:HMS Dublin.jpg|thumb|HMS ''Dublin'']]
[[File:HMS Dublin.jpg|thumb|HMS ''Dublin'']]
The '''''Chatham'' class'''{{#tag:ref|Also known as the ''Melbourne'' class, the ''Dublin'' class and the ''Southampton'' class.<ref name="warv1n1 p56"/>|group=lower-alpha}} of six ships, three for the Royal Navy and three for Australia (of which one was to be built in Australia) were ordered under the 1910–1911 Programme. The five British-built ships commissioned between 1912 and 1913, while ''[[HMAS Brisbane (1915)|Brisbane]]'', the Australian-built ship was laid down in 1913 and completed in 1916.<ref name="warv1n3 p50"/> The major difference between the ''Chatham''s and the earlier Towns was a revised armour scheme. While the earlier ships were protected cruisers, depending on an armoured deck deep within the ship to protect machinery and magazines, the ''Chatham''s relied on a vertical [[Belt armor|belt of armour]].<ref name="conways06 p53">Preston 1985, p. 53.</ref>
The '''''Chatham'' subclass'''{{#tag:ref|Also known as the ''Melbourne'', ''Dublin'', or ''Southampton'' subclass.<ref name="warv1n1 p56"/>|group=lower-alpha}} of six ships, three for the Royal Navy and three for Australia (of which one was to be built in Australia) were ordered under the 1910–1911 Programme. The five British-built ships commissioned between 1912 and 1913, while ''[[HMAS Brisbane (1915)|Brisbane]]'', the Australian-built ship was laid down in 1913 and completed in 1916.<ref name="warv1n3 p50"/> The major difference between the ''Chatham''s and the earlier Towns was a revised armour scheme. While the earlier ships were protected cruisers, depending on an armoured deck deep within the ship to protect machinery and magazines, the ''Chatham''s relied on a vertical [[Belt armor|belt of armour]].<ref name="conways06 p53">Preston 1985, p. 53.</ref>


The ''Chatham'' class were {{convert|458|ft|m|1}} long overall, with a beam of {{convert|49|ft|m|1}} and a draught of {{convert|16|ft|m|1}}. [[Displacement (ship)|Displacement]] was {{convert|5400|LT|t}} normal and {{convert|6000|LT|t}} full load.<ref name="conways06 p53"/> The belt consisted of {{convert|2|in|mm|adj=on}} of nickel-steel on top of {{convert|1|in|mm|adj=on}} of high-tensile steel, tapering from {{convert|3|-|2+1/2|in|mm|adj=on}} forward and to {{convert|2|in|mm|adj=on}} aft. It covered from {{convert|8.25|-|10.5|ft|m}} above the [[waterline]] to {{convert|2.5|ft|m}} below it. This belt was part of the load bearing structure of the ship, reducing the overall weight of structure required. A thin armoured deck, {{convert|3/8|in|mm}} over most of its length and {{convert|1+1/2|in|mm}} over the steering gear, was retained, mainly as a watertight deck.<ref name="warv1n2 p59"/> The ships' forecastle was again extended aft, reaching two-thirds of the length of the ship, and allowing two more guns to be raised up onto the forecastle, while the ships' metacentric height was reduced, making the ships better gun platforms.<ref name="Brown p64">Brown 2009, p. 64.</ref> Officer's accommodation was moved back to the rear of the ships in this class.<ref name="warv1n2 p61"/> Machinery layout was again similar to the earlier Towns, with one ship, ''Southampton,'' having a two-shaft layout. It was rated at {{convert|25000|shp|kW}} giving a speed of {{convert|25.5|kn}}.<ref name="conways06 p53"/>
The ''Chatham''s were {{convert|458|ft|m|1}} long overall, with a beam of {{convert|49|ft|m|1}} and a draught of {{convert|16|ft|m|1}}. [[Displacement (ship)|Displacement]] was {{convert|5400|LT|t}} normal and {{convert|6000|LT|t}} full load.<ref name="conways06 p53"/> The belt consisted of {{convert|2|in|mm|adj=on}} of nickel-steel on top of {{convert|1|in|mm|adj=on}} of high-tensile steel, tapering from {{convert|3|-|2+1/2|in|mm|adj=on}} forward and to {{convert|2|in|mm|adj=on}} aft. It covered from {{convert|8.25|-|10.5|ft|m}} above the [[waterline]] to {{convert|2.5|ft|m}} below it. This belt was part of the load bearing structure of the ship, reducing the overall weight of structure required. A thin armoured deck, {{convert|3/8|in|mm}} over most of its length and {{convert|1+1/2|in|mm}} over the steering gear, was retained, mainly as a watertight deck.<ref name="warv1n2 p59"/> The ships' forecastle was again extended aft, reaching two-thirds of the length of the ship, and allowing two more guns to be raised up onto the forecastle, while the ships' metacentric height was reduced, making the ships better gun platforms.<ref name="Brown p64">Brown 2009, p. 64.</ref> Officer's accommodation was moved back to the rear of the ships in this class.<ref name="warv1n2 p61"/> Machinery layout was again similar to the earlier Towns, with one ship, ''Southampton,'' having a two-shaft layout. It was rated at {{convert|25000|shp|kW}} giving a speed of {{convert|25.5|kn}}.<ref name="conways06 p53"/>
   
   
While main armament again consisted of eight 6&nbsp;in guns in single mountings, a new gun, the [[BL 6 inch Mk XII naval gun|BL 6 inch Mk XII]] was used. This was shorter and lighter than the Mk XI guns used in earlier ships, and while range was slightly less ({{convert|14000|yd|m}} compared to {{convert|14600|yd|m}}<ref name="warv1n2 p60"/>), they were much easier to handle in rough weather and were more accurate.<ref name="conways06 p53"/><ref name="Brown p64"/> They had larger magazines, giving up to 200 rounds per gun rather than 150 in earlier ships.<ref name="warv1n2 p57"/> The remaining armament was unchanged.<ref name="conways06 p53"/>
While main armament again consisted of eight 6&nbsp;in guns in single mountings, a new gun, the [[BL 6 inch Mk XII naval gun|BL 6 inch Mk XII]] was used. This was shorter and lighter than the Mk XI guns used in earlier ships, and while range was slightly less ({{convert|14000|yd|m}} compared to {{convert|14600|yd|m}}<ref name="warv1n2 p60"/>), they were much easier to handle in rough weather and were more accurate.<ref name="conways06 p53"/><ref name="Brown p64"/> They had larger magazines, giving up to 200 rounds per gun rather than 150 in earlier ships.<ref name="warv1n2 p57"/> The remaining armament was unchanged.<ref name="conways06 p53"/>
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Wartime changes were similar to those made to the ''Weymouth''s, with a 3-inch anti-aircraft gun fitted during 1915 and director control with its associated tripod mast fitted later in the war. Four of the ships (''Dublin'', ''Southampton'', ''Melbourne'' and ''Sydney'') were fitted for platforms for operating aircraft.<ref name="conways06 p54">Preston 1985, p. 54.</ref>
Wartime changes were similar to those made to the ''Weymouth''s, with a 3-inch anti-aircraft gun fitted during 1915 and director control with its associated tripod mast fitted later in the war. Four of the ships (''Dublin'', ''Southampton'', ''Melbourne'' and ''Sydney'') were fitted for platforms for operating aircraft.<ref name="conways06 p54">Preston 1985, p. 54.</ref>


===''Birmingham'' class===
===''Birmingham'' subclass===
[[File:HMS Glasgow (1909).jpg|thumb|{{HMS|Glasgow|1909|6}} &nbsp;at [[Valparaiso]] in Chile before the [[Battle of Coronel]], 1 November 1914]]
[[File:HMS Glasgow (1909).jpg|thumb|{{HMS|Glasgow|1909|6}} &nbsp;at [[Valparaiso]] in Chile before the [[Battle of Coronel]], 1 November 1914]]
The 1911–1912 Programme brought the '''''Birmingham'' class'''. Three ships were ordered for the Royal Navy, commissioning in 1914.<ref name="warv1n3 p50"/> A fourth, similar, ship, ''[[HMAS Adelaide (1918)|Adelaide]]'', was built in Sydney for Australia. The First World War caused the construction of ''Adelaide'', which was reliant on materials and parts from the United Kingdom, to be heavily delayed, with ''Adelaide'' not completing until 1922.<ref name="Whit p15">Whitley 1999, p. 15.</ref> They were closely based on the ''Chatham'' class but with a revised armament. While in theory, three guns could fire forwards in the previous arrangement (the forward centreline gun and the forward two waist guns), in practice the effects of blast from the waist guns on the bridge and conning tower prevented this. The solution was to mount two guns side-by side on the forecastle, forward of the bridge, giving a total armament of nine BL 6 inch Mk XII guns. The remainder of the armament was unchanged (i.e. four 3-pounder saluting guns and two submerged 21-inch [[torpedo tube]]s).<ref name="warv1n2 p57"/><ref name="conways06 p54"/>
The 1911–1912 Programme brought the '''''Birmingham'' subclass'''. Three ships were ordered for the Royal Navy, commissioning in 1914.<ref name="warv1n3 p50"/> A fourth, similar, ship, ''[[HMAS Adelaide (1918)|Adelaide]]'', was built in Sydney for Australia. The First World War caused the construction of ''Adelaide'', which was reliant on materials and parts from the United Kingdom, to be heavily delayed, with ''Adelaide'' not completing until 1922.<ref name="Whit p15">Whitley 1999, p. 15.</ref> They were closely based on the ''Chatham'' subclass but with a revised armament. While in theory, three guns could fire forwards in the previous arrangement (the forward centreline gun and the forward two waist guns), in practice the effects of blast from the waist guns on the bridge and conning tower prevented this. The solution was to mount two guns side-by side on the forecastle, forward of the bridge, giving a total armament of nine BL 6 inch Mk XII guns. The remainder of the armament was unchanged (i.e. four 3-pounder saluting guns and two submerged 21-inch [[torpedo tube]]s).<ref name="warv1n2 p57"/><ref name="conways06 p54"/>


The ships were {{convert|457|ft|m|1}} long overall (''Adelaide'' was {{convert|462|ft|9|in|m}} long), with a beam of {{convert|50|ft|m|1}} and a draught of {{convert|16|ft|m|1}}. They displaced {{convert|5440|LT|t}} normal and {{convert|6040|LT|t}} deep load (''Adelaide'' displaced {{convert|5550|LT|t}} normal and {{convert|6160|LT|t}} deep load). The ships' forecastle had increased [[flare (ship)|flare]] to reduce spray.<ref name="conways06 p54"/> The ships' machinery{{#tag:ref|Sources differ as to the layout of the machinery. Preston<ref name="conways06 p54"/> says that the ''Birmingham''s were four-shaft ships, while Lyon<ref name="warv1n2 p59"/> says that they were two-shaft ships, with Parsons turbines. ''Jane's Fighting Ships 1931'' and Whitley say that ''Adelaide'' had two shafts,<ref name="Whit p15"/><ref name="jfs31 p91">Parkes 1931, p. 91.</ref> while Brook says that ''Birmingham'' also had two-shaft machinery.<ref name="brook p199">Brook 1999, p. 199.</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} was rated at {{convert|25000|shp|kW}} giving a speed of {{convert|25.5|kn}}.<ref name="conways06 p54"/>
The ships were {{convert|457|ft|m|1}} long overall (''Adelaide'' was {{convert|462|ft|9|in|m}} long), with a beam of {{convert|50|ft|m|1}} and a draught of {{convert|16|ft|m|1}}. They displaced {{convert|5440|LT|t}} normal and {{convert|6040|LT|t}} deep load (''Adelaide'' displaced {{convert|5550|LT|t}} normal and {{convert|6160|LT|t}} deep load). The ships' forecastle had increased [[flare (ship)|flare]] to reduce spray.<ref name="conways06 p54"/> The ships' machinery{{#tag:ref|Sources differ as to the layout of the machinery. Preston<ref name="conways06 p54"/> says that the ''Birmingham''s were four-shaft ships, while Lyon<ref name="warv1n2 p59"/> says that they were two-shaft ships, with Parsons turbines. ''Jane's Fighting Ships 1931'' and Whitley say that ''Adelaide'' had two shafts,<ref name="Whit p15"/><ref name="jfs31 p91">Parkes 1931, p. 91.</ref> while Brook says that ''Birmingham'' also had two-shaft machinery.<ref name="brook p199">Brook 1999, p. 199.</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} was rated at {{convert|25000|shp|kW}} giving a speed of {{convert|25.5|kn}}.<ref name="conways06 p54"/>
Line 108: Line 110:
In 1912, work began on a new cruiser for trade protection duties in response to rumours of large German cruisers that were thought to being built for commerce raiding. A series of designs were drawn up for what became known as the "Atlantic cruiser", featuring various combinations of 7.5-inch (190&nbsp;mm) and 6-inch guns, mixed oil- and coal-fired boilers and speeds of between {{convert|26|kn}} and {{convert|28|kn}}. When the rumoured German ships proved to be false, the Atlantic cruiser was abandoned.<ref name="Brown p66-7">Brown 2009, pp. 66–67.</ref>
In 1912, work began on a new cruiser for trade protection duties in response to rumours of large German cruisers that were thought to being built for commerce raiding. A series of designs were drawn up for what became known as the "Atlantic cruiser", featuring various combinations of 7.5-inch (190&nbsp;mm) and 6-inch guns, mixed oil- and coal-fired boilers and speeds of between {{convert|26|kn}} and {{convert|28|kn}}. When the rumoured German ships proved to be false, the Atlantic cruiser was abandoned.<ref name="Brown p66-7">Brown 2009, pp. 66–67.</ref>


In 1915, as a response to German commerce raiding in the early months of the war, the [[British Admiralty]] decided to build a new class of large, fast and heavily armed cruisers for trade protection work. Again, a mixed armament of 7.5 in and 6 in guns were chosen, with mixed oil- and coal-fired boilers in order to aid operations in distant waters where oil supplies would be limited. The new design became known as the "Improved ''Birmingham''" class or {{sclass|Hawkins|cruiser|4}}, with five being built, completing between 1918 and 1925.<ref name="Brown p67">Brown 2009, p. 67.</ref><ref name="conways06 p63">Preston 1985, p. 63.</ref>
In 1915, as a response to German commerce raiding in the early months of the war, the [[British Admiralty]] decided to build a new class of large, fast and heavily armed cruisers for trade protection work. Again, a mixed armament of 7.5 in and 6 in guns were chosen, with mixed oil- and coal-fired boilers in order to aid operations in distant waters where oil supplies would be limited. The new design became known as the "Improved ''Birmingham''" class or {{sclass|Hawkins|cruiser|4}}, with five being built, completing between 1918 and 1925.<ref name="Brown p67">Brown 2009, p. 67.</ref><ref name="conways06 p63">Preston 1985, p. 63.</ref> Later, with the advent of the 1930 [[London Naval Treaty]], the {{sclass|Hawkins|cruiser|4}} class would become the Royal Navy's first heavy cruisers.


===''Birkenhead'' class===
===''Birkenhead'' subclass===
In early 1914, the [[Greek Navy]], in response to Turkish naval expansion, placed an order with the Coventry Syndicate, a consortium of the shipbuilders [[Cammell Laird]], [[Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company|Fairfields]], [[John Brown & Company|John Brown]] and the armament company [[Coventry Ordnance Works]], for two light cruisers and four destroyers.{{#tag:ref|Greece also ordered battleships from Germany and France.<ref name="conways06 p384">Preston 1985, p. 384.</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} The light cruisers, which were both to be built by Cammell Laird, and to be named ''Antinavarchos Kountouriotis'' and ''Lambros Katsonis'', were based on the design of the ''Chatham'' and ''Birmingham'' classes, but with a revised armament to be supplied by the Coventry Ordnance Works.<ref name="warv1n1 p54">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 1, p. 54.</ref><ref name="conways06 p58">Preston 1985, p. 58.</ref>
In early 1914, the [[Greek Navy]], in response to Turkish naval expansion, placed an order with the Coventry Syndicate, a consortium of the shipbuilders [[Cammell Laird]], [[Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company|Fairfields]], [[John Brown & Company|John Brown]] and the armament company [[Coventry Ordnance Works]], for two light cruisers and four destroyers.{{#tag:ref|Greece also ordered battleships from Germany and France.<ref name="conways06 p384">Preston 1985, p. 384.</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} The light cruisers, which were both to be built by Cammell Laird, and to be named ''Antinavarchos Kountouriotis'' and ''Lambros Katsonis'', were based on the design of the ''Chatham'' and ''Birmingham'' subclasses, but with a revised armament to be supplied by the Coventry Ordnance Works.<ref name="warv1n1 p54">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 1, p. 54.</ref><ref name="conways06 p58">Preston 1985, p. 58.</ref>


The new cruisers were {{convert|446|ft|m|1}} long overall, with a beam of {{convert|50|ft|m|1}} and a draught of {{convert|16|ft|m|1}}. Displacement was between {{convert|5185|LT|t}} and {{convert|5235|LT|t}} normal, and between {{convert|5795|LT|t}} and {{convert|5845|LT|t}} deep load. Armour was as fitted to the ''Chatham''s.<ref name="conways06 p58"/> Machinery was also as in the ''Chatham''s. The first ship, later to become ''Birkenhead'', had the same mixed oil-and coal-fired boilers, with the machinery rated at {{convert|25000|shp|kW}} with a speed of {{convert|25.5|kn}}, but the second ship (later ''Chester'') had all oil-fired boilers, which boosted power to {{convert|31000|shp|kW}} and speed to {{convert|26.5|kn}}.<ref name="conways06 p58"/> The ships' main armament was ten [[BL 5.5 inch Mark I naval gun|QF 5.5 in (140 mm) Mark I guns]] (50 calibres long) to a new design by Coventry Ordnance Works. The guns fired an {{convert|82|lb|kg|adj=on}} shell to a range of {{convert|13100|yd|m}}. The lighter shell was easier to handle, and gave a greater rate of fire.<ref name="warv1n2 p57,0">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 57, 60.</ref><ref name="Brown p64-5">Brown 2009, pp. 64–65.</ref> It was planned to fit the ships with two [[QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval gun|12-pounder {{convert|76|mm|abbr=on}}]] (76&nbsp;mm) anti-aircraft guns, while two 21-inch [[torpedo tube]]s were fitted.<ref name="warv1n2 p57"/>
The new cruisers were {{convert|446|ft|m|1}} long overall, with a beam of {{convert|50|ft|m|1}} and a draught of {{convert|16|ft|m|1}}. Displacement was between {{convert|5185|LT|t}} and {{convert|5235|LT|t}} normal, and between {{convert|5795|LT|t}} and {{convert|5845|LT|t}} deep load. Armour was as fitted to the ''Chatham''s.<ref name="conways06 p58"/> Machinery was also as in the ''Chatham''s. The first ship, later to become ''Birkenhead'', had the same mixed oil-and coal-fired boilers, with the machinery rated at {{convert|25000|shp|kW}} with a speed of {{convert|25.5|kn}}, but the second ship (later ''Chester'') had all oil-fired boilers, which boosted power to {{convert|31000|shp|kW}} and speed to {{convert|26.5|kn}}.<ref name="conways06 p58"/> The ships' main armament was ten [[BL 5.5 inch Mark I naval gun|QF 5.5 in (140 mm) Mark I guns]] (50 calibres long) to a new design by Coventry Ordnance Works. The guns fired an {{convert|82|lb|kg|adj=on}} shell to a range of {{convert|13100|yd|m}}. The lighter shell was easier to handle, and gave a greater rate of fire.<ref name="warv1n2 p57,0">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 57, 60.</ref><ref name="Brown p64-5">Brown 2009, pp. 64–65.</ref> It was planned to fit the ships with two [[QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval gun|12-pounder {{convert|76|mm|abbr=on}}]] (76&nbsp;mm) anti-aircraft guns, while two 21-inch [[torpedo tube]]s were fitted.<ref name="warv1n2 p57"/>


Work continued on the two ships for the Greeks after the outbreak of the First World War, but early in 1915,{{#tag:ref|The British requisition of the order took place sometime after 18 January 1915, when the first ship, ''Antinavarchos Kountouriotis'', was launched.<ref name="conways06 p58"/>|group=lower-alpha}} with no sign of an end to the war, the British Admiralty took over the contract for the two ships, which became the ''Birkenhead'' class, together with the 5.5-inch guns and ammunition.<ref name="warv1n1 p54,6">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 54, 56.</ref> The ships' main armament was kept by the Royal Navy, and proved to be successful in service, with the 5.5 in gun being selected as secondary armament for the battlecruisers {{HMS|Hood|51|6}} and {{HMS|Furious|47|6}} and the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Hermes|95|6}}. The [[QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval gun|12-pounder {{convert|76|mm|abbr=on}}]] anti-aircraft guns were unavailable, however, and Vickers 3-pounder guns were fitted in their place.<ref name="warv1n2 p57"/>
Work continued on the two ships for the Greeks after the outbreak of the First World War, but early in 1915,{{#tag:ref|The British requisition of the order took place sometime after 18 January 1915, when the first ship, ''Antinavarchos Kountouriotis'', was launched.<ref name="conways06 p58"/>|group=lower-alpha}} with no sign of an end to the war, the British Admiralty took over the contract for the two ships, which became the ''Birkenhead'' subclass, together with the 5.5-inch guns and ammunition.<ref name="warv1n1 p54,6">Lyon ''Warship'' Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 54, 56.</ref> The ships' main armament was kept by the Royal Navy, and proved to be successful in service, with the 5.5 in gun being selected as secondary armament for the battlecruisers {{HMS|Hood|51|6}} and {{HMS|Furious|47|6}} and the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Hermes|95|6}}. The [[QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval gun|12-pounder {{convert|76|mm|abbr=on}}]] anti-aircraft guns were unavailable, however, and Vickers 3-pounder guns were fitted in their place.<ref name="warv1n2 p57"/>


After the war, they were offered for sale back to the Greeks, but this offer was not taken up.<ref name="conways06 p59">Preston 1985, p. 59.</ref>
After the war, they were offered for sale back to the Greeks, but this offer was not taken up.<ref name="conways06 p59">Preston 1985, p. 59.</ref>
Line 129: Line 131:
! scope="col"|Fate
! scope="col"|Fate
|-
|-
!colspan=6|''Bristol'' class
!colspan=6|''Bristol'' subclass
|-
|-
|{{HMS|Bristol|1910|2}}
|{{HMS|Bristol|1910|2}}
Line 166: Line 168:
|Sold for scrap to [[Thos. W. Ward]], [[Lelant]], 9 May 1921.<ref name="Ditt p45"/>
|Sold for scrap to [[Thos. W. Ward]], [[Lelant]], 9 May 1921.<ref name="Ditt p45"/>
|-
|-
!colspan=6|''Weymouth'' class
!colspan=6|''Weymouth'' subclass
|-
|-
|{{HMS|Weymouth|1910|2}}
|{{HMS|Weymouth|1910|2}}
Line 196: Line 198:
| Torpedoed by German submarine [[SM U-66|''U-66'']] in the North Sea and damaged 19 August 1916, then torpedoed by German submarine [[SM U-63|''U-63'']] the next day and sunk off [[Flamborough Head]].<ref name="conways06 p52"/><ref name="navopiv p45-6">Newbolt 1928, pp. 45–46.</ref>
| Torpedoed by German submarine [[SM U-66|''U-66'']] in the North Sea and damaged 19 August 1916, then torpedoed by German submarine [[SM U-63|''U-63'']] the next day and sunk off [[Flamborough Head]].<ref name="conways06 p52"/><ref name="navopiv p45-6">Newbolt 1928, pp. 45–46.</ref>
|-
|-
!colspan=6|''Chatham'' class
!colspan=6|''Chatham'' subclass
|-
|-
!align=center colspan=6|Royal Navy
!align=center colspan=6|Royal Navy
Line 244: Line 246:
|Sold for breaking up 13 June 1936 to [[Thos. W. Ward]], Briton Ferry.<ref name="Ditt p46"/>
|Sold for breaking up 13 June 1936 to [[Thos. W. Ward]], Briton Ferry.<ref name="Ditt p46"/>
|-
|-
!colspan=6|''Birmingham'' class
!colspan=6|''Birmingham'' subclass
|-
|-
!align=center colspan=6|Royal Navy
!align=center colspan=6|Royal Navy
Line 278: Line 280:
|Sold for breaking up to Australian Iron and Steel Co., [[Port Kembla, New South Wales]], January 1949
|Sold for breaking up to Australian Iron and Steel Co., [[Port Kembla, New South Wales]], January 1949
|-
|-
!colspan=6|''Birkenhead'' class
!colspan=6|''Birkenhead'' subclass
|-
|-
|{{HMS|Birkenhead|1915|2}}<br>(ex-''Antinavarchos Kountouriotis'')
|{{HMS|Birkenhead|1915|2}}<br>(ex-''Antinavarchos Kountouriotis'')
Line 334: Line 336:
*{{cite book|last=Parkes|first=Oscar|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1931|year=1973|publisher=David & Charles (Publishers) Limited|location=Newton Abbot, United Kingdom|orig-year=First published 1931 by Sampson Low, Marston & Co.|isbn=0-7153-5849-9}}
*{{cite book|last=Parkes|first=Oscar|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1931|year=1973|publisher=David & Charles (Publishers) Limited|location=Newton Abbot, United Kingdom|orig-year=First published 1931 by Sampson Low, Marston & Co.|isbn=0-7153-5849-9}}
*{{cite book|editor1-last=Gray|editor1-first=Randal|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921 |year=1985 |location=Annapolis, Maryland|publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=0-85177-245-5 |name-list-style=amp |chapter=Great Britain and Empire Forces|first1=Antony|last1=Preston|author-link=Antony Preston|pages=1–104}}
*{{cite book|editor1-last=Gray|editor1-first=Randal|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921 |year=1985 |location=Annapolis, Maryland|publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=0-85177-245-5 |name-list-style=amp |chapter=Great Britain and Empire Forces|first1=Antony|last1=Preston|author-link=Antony Preston|pages=1–104}}
*{{cite book |last1=Morris |first1=Douglas |title=Cruisers of the Royal and Commonwealth Navies |date=1987 |publisher=Maritime Books |location=Liskeard, Cornwall, Great Britain |ISBN|page=120 |edition=1 |isbn=0-907771-35-1 |ref=Cruisers of the Royal and Commonwealth Navies}}


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 19:36, 30 June 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "For". Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates

Template:Infobox ship imageTemplate:Infobox ship class overviewTemplate:Infobox ship characteristics

The Town class was a group of twenty-one light cruisers built for the Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) of the first half of the 20th century. These vessels were long-range cruisers, suitable for patrolling the vast expanse covered by the British Empire. These ships, initially rated as second class cruisers, were built to a series of designs, known as the Bristol (five ships), Weymouth (four ships), Chatham (three RN ships, plus three RAN ships), Birmingham (three ships, plus one similar RAN ship) and Birkenhead (two ships) classes – all having the names of British towns except for the RAN ships, which were named after Australian cities.

In 1911, the system for classifying cruisers changed such that ships over 6,000 tons were simply 'cruisers'. This would have included armored cruisers and 1st class protected cruiser. The smaller protected cruisers, scout cruisers, and the new Towns were to be 'light cruisers'. Effectivley then, the Weymouths were the first Royal Navy ships built as light cruisers[1]

Design

Bristol subclass

File:Bristol class cruiser diagrams Janes 1914.jpg
Left elevation and deck plan of Bristol sub-class as depicted in Jane's Fighting Ships 1914

The Bristols [lower-alpha 1] were all ordered under the 1908–09 Programme and commissioned in late 1910.[3] They were second class cruisers suitable for a variety of roles including both trade protection and fleet duties.[4] They were Template:Convert long overall, with a beam of Template:Convert and a draught of Template:Convert. Displacement was Template:Convert normal and Template:Convert full load. Twelve Yarrow three-drum boilers fed steam turbines rated at Template:Convert, giving a speed of Template:Convert. One ship, Bristol, had Brown-Curtis turbines driving two propeller shafts, while the remaining three ships used Parsons turbines driving four shafts.[4] Speed during sea trials varied between Template:Convert (Glasgow) and Template:Convert (Bristol).[5] The experimental two-shaft layout of Bristol was successful, giving greater efficiency, especially at lower speeds.[6] The ships used both coal and oil for fuel, with 1353 tons of coal and 260 tons of oil carried,[7] giving an endurance of about Template:Convert at Template:Convert.[4]

The Bristols were protected cruisers, with an armoured deck providing protection for the ships' vitals. The armoured deck was Template:Convert thick over the magazines and machinery, Template:Convert over the steering gear and Template:Convert elsewhere. The conning tower was protected by Template:Convert of armour, with the gun shields having Template:Convert armour, as did the ammunition hoists.[6] As the protective deck was at waterline, the ships were given a large metacentric height so that they would remain stable in the event of flooding above the armoured deck. This, however, resulted in the ships rolling badly, making them poor gun platforms.[8] One problem with the armour of the Bristols which was shared with the other Town-class ships was the sizable gap between the bottom of the gun shields and the deck, which allowed shell splinters to pass through the gap, leading to large numbers of leg injuries in the ships' gun crews.[9][10]

It was originally intended that the Bristols would be fitted with a main gun armament of unshielded Template:Convert guns, but the need to counter German light cruisers (such as the Template:Sclass), which were armed with ten Template:Convert guns that outranged British 4-inch guns, resulted in the new class's armament being revised.[4][8] They had two BL 6-inch (152 mm) Mk XI naval guns mounted on the ships' centreline fore and aft, with ten BL 4-inch Mk VII guns in waist mountings. All these guns were fitted with shields.[4] Four Vickers 3-pounder (47 mm) saluting guns were fitted, while two submerged 18 inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes were fitted, with seven torpedoes carried.[11] This armament was considered rather too light for ships of this size,[12] while the waist guns were subject to immersion in a high sea, making them difficult to work.[8]

They had a crew of 480 officers and men,[4] with the officers accommodated in the forward part of the ship, rather than aft as per tradition, following the instructions of Admiral Fisher to improve fighting efficiency. This arrangement was unpopular, however, as it was preferred to keep officer's and other ranks accommodation separate for disciplinary reasons, while the Bristols were very cramped, with only Template:Convert for each seaman to live, eat, and sleep.[8][13][14] In the First World War, the class's anti-aircraft armament was increased with the fitting of a single QF 3 inch (76 mm) 20 cwt gun.[4]

Weymouth subclass

The Weymouth subclass[lower-alpha 2] were ordered under the 1909–1910 Programme and commissioned between 1911 and 1912.[3] Major changes from the Bristol subclass included a heavier main armament of eight 6 in guns, and changes to improve seaworthiness and reduce overcrowding.[12] They were Template:Convert long overall, with a beam of Template:Convert and a draught of Template:Convert. Displacement was Template:Convert normal and Template:Convert full load. Machinery was similar to the Bristol subclass, with again a single example (Yarmouth) having the Brown-Curtis turbines and two-shaft arrangement used in the Bristols, while the remaining three ships had the four-shaft, Yarrow turbine machinery. Speed remained 25 knots.[15]

File:HMS Weymouth (1910).jpg
HMS Weymouth

Armour remained unchanged from the Bristols,[6] while the main gun armament was changed to eight BL 6 inch Mk XI guns. The arrangement of the armament was revised, with three guns (one on the centreline and two on the beam) on an enlarged forecastle that also provided accommodation for the ships' officers. The remaining waist guns were protected by a bulwark to make them more weather resistant. Torpedo armament was increased, with two 21-inch (533 mm) submerged tubes (with seven torpedoes carried), while the ships' armament was completed by four 3-pounder saluting guns.[15][11]

The Weymouths saw a number of alterations during the war, including the addition of a single 3 in (76 mm) AA gun in 1915, while the surviving ships were fitted with director control equipment for the ships' guns on a new tripod foremast.[15] In 1917, Yarmouth was the first light cruiser to be able to operate aircraft, being fitted with a ramp above the conning tower and forecastle gun to allow a Sopwith Pup to be launched from the ship, although the aircraft could not land back on it so the pilot would have to ditch into the sea if it was not possible to reach land.[16][13] In 1918, Weymouth also received a similar installation.[15]

Chatham subclass

File:HMS Dublin.jpg
HMS Dublin

The Chatham subclass[lower-alpha 3] of six ships, three for the Royal Navy and three for Australia (of which one was to be built in Australia) were ordered under the 1910–1911 Programme. The five British-built ships commissioned between 1912 and 1913, while Brisbane, the Australian-built ship was laid down in 1913 and completed in 1916.[3] The major difference between the Chathams and the earlier Towns was a revised armour scheme. While the earlier ships were protected cruisers, depending on an armoured deck deep within the ship to protect machinery and magazines, the Chathams relied on a vertical belt of armour.[17]

The Chathams were Template:Convert long overall, with a beam of Template:Convert and a draught of Template:Convert. Displacement was Template:Convert normal and Template:Convert full load.[17] The belt consisted of Template:Convert of nickel-steel on top of Template:Convert of high-tensile steel, tapering from Template:Convert forward and to Template:Convert aft. It covered from Template:Convert above the waterline to Template:Convert below it. This belt was part of the load bearing structure of the ship, reducing the overall weight of structure required. A thin armoured deck, Template:Convert over most of its length and Template:Convert over the steering gear, was retained, mainly as a watertight deck.[6] The ships' forecastle was again extended aft, reaching two-thirds of the length of the ship, and allowing two more guns to be raised up onto the forecastle, while the ships' metacentric height was reduced, making the ships better gun platforms.[18] Officer's accommodation was moved back to the rear of the ships in this class.[13] Machinery layout was again similar to the earlier Towns, with one ship, Southampton, having a two-shaft layout. It was rated at Template:Convert giving a speed of Template:Convert.[17]

While main armament again consisted of eight 6 in guns in single mountings, a new gun, the BL 6 inch Mk XII was used. This was shorter and lighter than the Mk XI guns used in earlier ships, and while range was slightly less (Template:Convert compared to Template:Convert[5]), they were much easier to handle in rough weather and were more accurate.[17][18] They had larger magazines, giving up to 200 rounds per gun rather than 150 in earlier ships.[9] The remaining armament was unchanged.[17]

Wartime changes were similar to those made to the Weymouths, with a 3-inch anti-aircraft gun fitted during 1915 and director control with its associated tripod mast fitted later in the war. Four of the ships (Dublin, Southampton, Melbourne and Sydney) were fitted for platforms for operating aircraft.[19]

Birmingham subclass

File:HMS Glasgow (1909).jpg
Template:HMS  at Valparaiso in Chile before the Battle of Coronel, 1 November 1914

The 1911–1912 Programme brought the Birmingham subclass. Three ships were ordered for the Royal Navy, commissioning in 1914.[3] A fourth, similar, ship, Adelaide, was built in Sydney for Australia. The First World War caused the construction of Adelaide, which was reliant on materials and parts from the United Kingdom, to be heavily delayed, with Adelaide not completing until 1922.[20] They were closely based on the Chatham subclass but with a revised armament. While in theory, three guns could fire forwards in the previous arrangement (the forward centreline gun and the forward two waist guns), in practice the effects of blast from the waist guns on the bridge and conning tower prevented this. The solution was to mount two guns side-by side on the forecastle, forward of the bridge, giving a total armament of nine BL 6 inch Mk XII guns. The remainder of the armament was unchanged (i.e. four 3-pounder saluting guns and two submerged 21-inch torpedo tubes).[9][19]

The ships were Template:Convert long overall (Adelaide was Template:Convert long), with a beam of Template:Convert and a draught of Template:Convert. They displaced Template:Convert normal and Template:Convert deep load (Adelaide displaced Template:Convert normal and Template:Convert deep load). The ships' forecastle had increased flare to reduce spray.[19] The ships' machinery[lower-alpha 4] was rated at Template:Convert giving a speed of Template:Convert.[19]

A 3-inch anti-aircraft gun was fitted in 1915, while Lowestoft and Birmingham were fitted with director control. (Nottingham was lost before it could be fitted).[19] Adelaide was completed with these modifications, and received a major refit in the 1930s, with coal-fired boilers being removed along with a funnel, reducing the ship's speed, while one 6-inch was removed, with 4-inch anti-aircraft guns added. She was subject to further armament revisions during the Second World War, with more 6- and 4-inch guns removed to accommodate depth charge throwers, and radar being fitted.[20]

Further developments: Atlantic cruisers and Hawkins class

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". In 1912, work began on a new cruiser for trade protection duties in response to rumours of large German cruisers that were thought to being built for commerce raiding. A series of designs were drawn up for what became known as the "Atlantic cruiser", featuring various combinations of 7.5-inch (190 mm) and 6-inch guns, mixed oil- and coal-fired boilers and speeds of between Template:Convert and Template:Convert. When the rumoured German ships proved to be false, the Atlantic cruiser was abandoned.[23]

In 1915, as a response to German commerce raiding in the early months of the war, the British Admiralty decided to build a new class of large, fast and heavily armed cruisers for trade protection work. Again, a mixed armament of 7.5 in and 6 in guns were chosen, with mixed oil- and coal-fired boilers in order to aid operations in distant waters where oil supplies would be limited. The new design became known as the "Improved Birmingham" class or Template:Sclass, with five being built, completing between 1918 and 1925.[24][25] Later, with the advent of the 1930 London Naval Treaty, the Template:Sclass class would become the Royal Navy's first heavy cruisers.

Birkenhead subclass

In early 1914, the Greek Navy, in response to Turkish naval expansion, placed an order with the Coventry Syndicate, a consortium of the shipbuilders Cammell Laird, Fairfields, John Brown and the armament company Coventry Ordnance Works, for two light cruisers and four destroyers.[lower-alpha 5] The light cruisers, which were both to be built by Cammell Laird, and to be named Antinavarchos Kountouriotis and Lambros Katsonis, were based on the design of the Chatham and Birmingham subclasses, but with a revised armament to be supplied by the Coventry Ordnance Works.[27][28]

The new cruisers were Template:Convert long overall, with a beam of Template:Convert and a draught of Template:Convert. Displacement was between Template:Convert and Template:Convert normal, and between Template:Convert and Template:Convert deep load. Armour was as fitted to the Chathams.[28] Machinery was also as in the Chathams. The first ship, later to become Birkenhead, had the same mixed oil-and coal-fired boilers, with the machinery rated at Template:Convert with a speed of Template:Convert, but the second ship (later Chester) had all oil-fired boilers, which boosted power to Template:Convert and speed to Template:Convert.[28] The ships' main armament was ten QF 5.5 in (140 mm) Mark I guns (50 calibres long) to a new design by Coventry Ordnance Works. The guns fired an Template:Convert shell to a range of Template:Convert. The lighter shell was easier to handle, and gave a greater rate of fire.[29][30] It was planned to fit the ships with two [[QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval gun|12-pounder Template:Convert]] (76 mm) anti-aircraft guns, while two 21-inch torpedo tubes were fitted.[9]

Work continued on the two ships for the Greeks after the outbreak of the First World War, but early in 1915,[lower-alpha 6] with no sign of an end to the war, the British Admiralty took over the contract for the two ships, which became the Birkenhead subclass, together with the 5.5-inch guns and ammunition.[31] The ships' main armament was kept by the Royal Navy, and proved to be successful in service, with the 5.5 in gun being selected as secondary armament for the battlecruisers Template:HMS and Template:HMS and the aircraft carrier Template:HMS. The [[QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval gun|12-pounder Template:Convert]] anti-aircraft guns were unavailable, however, and Vickers 3-pounder guns were fitted in their place.[9]

After the war, they were offered for sale back to the Greeks, but this offer was not taken up.[32]

Ships

Construction data
Ship Builder[33] Laid down Launched Commissioned Fate
Bristol subclass
Template:HMS John Brown, Clydebank 23 March 1909[33] 23 February 1910[33] 17 December 1910.[33] Sold for breaking up 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward, Hayle.[34]
Template:HMS Fairfield Shipbuilding, Govan 25 March 1909[33] 30 September 1909[33] 19 September 1910[33] Sold for breaking up 29 April 1927 to Thos. W. Ward, Morecambe.[34]
Template:HMS William Beardmore, Dalmuir 15 April 1909[4] 28 October 1909[4] October 1910[4] Sold for breaking up to Thos. W. Ward, Briton Ferry, 9 May 1921.[34]
Template:HMS Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness 17 February 1909[33] 30 October 1909[33] 4 October 1910[33] Sold for scrap 8 November 1921. Broken up in Germany.[34]
Template:HMS Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick 14 April 1909[33] 25 November 1909[33] 20 September 1910[33] Sold for scrap to Thos. W. Ward, Lelant, 9 May 1921.[34]
Weymouth subclass
Template:HMS Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick 19 January 1910.[33] 18 November 1910.[33] October 1911[33] Sold for breaking up to Hughes Bolckow, Blyth, 2 October 1928.[34]
Template:HMS London & Glasgow Shipbuilding, Govan 27 January 1910[33] 12 April 1911[33] April 1912 Sold for breaking up 2 July 1929 to Alloa Ship Breaking Company, Rosyth.[34]
Template:HMS Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness 19 February 1910[33] 14 December 1910[lower-alpha 7] October 1911[33] Sold for breaking up 13 December 1930 to Alloa, Rosyth.[35]
Template:HMS William Beardmore, Dalmuir 21 February 1910[33] 20 September 1910[33] September 1911[33] Torpedoed by German submarine U-66 in the North Sea and damaged 19 August 1916, then torpedoed by German submarine U-63 the next day and sunk off Flamborough Head.[15][36]
Chatham subclass
Royal Navy
Template:HMS HM Dockyard, Chatham 3 January 1911[33] 9 November 1911[33] December 1912[33] Transferred to the New Zealand Navy 11 September 1920, but returned to Royal Navy 1924.[19] Sold for breaking up to Thos. W. Ward, Pembroke Dock, 13 July 1926.[35]
Template:HMS William Beardmore, Dalmuir 3 January 1911[33] 9 November 1911[lower-alpha 8] March 1913[33] Sold for breaking up to King, Troon, July 1926.[33]
Template:HMS John Brown, Clydebank 6 April 1911[33] 16 May 1912[33] November 1912[33] Sold for breaking up to Thos. W. Ward, Pembroke Dock, 13 July 1926.[33]
Royal Australian Navy
Template:HMAS London & Glasgow, Govan 11 February 1911[33] 29 August 1912[33] 26 June 1913[33] Broken up at Cockatoo Island, April 1929.[33]
Template:HMAS Cammell Laird, Birkenhead 14 April 1911[33] 30 May 1912[33] January 1913[33] Sold for breaking up 8 December 1928 to Alloa, Rosyth.[33]
Template:HMAS HMA Dockyard, Cockatoo Island 25 January 1913[33] 30 September 1915[33] October 1916[33] Sold for breaking up 13 June 1936 to Thos. W. Ward, Briton Ferry.[37]
Birmingham subclass
Royal Navy
Template:HMS Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick 10 June 1912[3] 7 May 1913[3] 3 February 1914[3] Sold for breaking up 5 February 1931 to Thos. W. Ward, Pembroke Dock.[37]
Template:HMS HM Dockyard, Chatham 29 July 1912[3] 28 April 1913[lower-alpha 9] 21 April 1914[3] Sold for breaking up 8 January 1931 to Thos. W. Ward, Milford Haven.[37]
Template:HMS HM Dockyard, Pembroke Dock 13 June 1912[3] 18 April 1913[3] 1 April 1914[3] Torpedoed three times by German submarine U-52 in the North Sea 19 August 1916 and sunk with 38 dead.[40][41]
Royal Australian Navy
Template:HMAS HMA Dockyard, Cockatoo Island 20 November 1915[19] 27 July 1918[19] 4 August 1922[20] Sold for breaking up to Australian Iron and Steel Co., Port Kembla, New South Wales, January 1949
Birkenhead subclass
Template:HMS
(ex-Antinavarchos Kountouriotis) 		Cammell Laird, Birkenhead 27 March 1914[33] 18 January 1915[33] May 1915[33] Sold for scrapping to Cashmore, Newport, Wales, 26 October 1921.[33]
Template:HMS
(ex-Lambros Katsonis) 		7 October 1914[33] 8 December 1915[33] May 1916[33] Sold for scrapping to Rees, Llanelly, 9 November 1921.[33]
Ship Builder[33] Laid down Launched Commissioned Fate

Operational service

File:HMS Birmingham (1913) Jutland.jpg
HMS Birmingham under fire at the Battle of Jutland

The class saw much service in the First World War and many of the ships left their mark on history. Ships of the class saw action at the Battles of Coronel, the Battle of the Falkland Islands and the Battle of Heligoland Bight in 1914.[42] That same year, Sydney attacked Template:SMS in an action that lasted over an hour and resulted in the German warship being beached by her captain to avoid his ship sinking.[43] Also that year, Birmingham became the first ship to sink a submarine when she rammed the German submarine Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". on 9 August.[44]

In 1915, HMS Glasgow found Template:SMS, which had escaped from the engagement at the Falkland Islands the previous year, in which Glasgow had helped in sinking Template:SMS. Dresden was eventually scuttled by her own crew after a short engagement. Ships of the class also took part in the Battle of Dogger Bank in 1915.

File:HMS Chester (damaged).jpg
HMS Chester, showing damage sustained at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916

In 1916, ships of the class also saw action at the Battle of Jutland, the largest surface engagement of the First World War . In 1917, a Sopwith Pup from HMS Yarmouth became the first aircraft from a cruiser to shoot down an aircraft, specifically the Zeppelin L23. The ships of the class saw more service than mentioned above, including action against German merchant ships. During the course of the war, two ships of the class were sunk: these were HMS Falmouth and HMS Nottingham, both torpedoed by German submarines.

After the end of the First World War, the surviving ships performed a variety of duties, including service on foreign stations. All ships, except Adelaide, were scrapped by the 1930s. Adelaide saw an extensive refit between 1938 and 1939. However, Adelaide was obsolete when the Second World War began, and she saw limited service, performing patrol and escort duties in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. She was decommissioned in 1945, but recommissioned to become a tender at Sydney. She was broken up in 1949.

Notes

Template:Reflist

Citations

Template:Reflist

References

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External links

Template:Sister project

Template:Military navigation Template:WWI British ships

  1. ↑ Morris, p.120
  2. ↑ a b c Lyon Warship Vol. 1 No. 1, p. 56.
  3. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Lyon Warship Vol. 1 No. 3, p. 50.
  4. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Preston 1985, p. 51.
  5. ↑ a b Lyon Warship Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 60.
  6. ↑ a b c d e Lyon Warship Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 59.
  7. ↑ Moore 1990, p. 61.
  8. ↑ a b c d Brown 2010, p. 63.
  9. ↑ a b c d e Lyon Warship Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 57.
  10. ↑ Brown 2010, p. 160.
  11. ↑ a b Lyon Warship Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 55, 57.
  12. ↑ a b Lyon Warship Vol. 1 No. 1, p. 53.
  13. ↑ a b c Lyon Warship Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 61.
  14. ↑ Brown 2009, p. 59.
  15. ↑ a b c d e f Preston 1985, p. 52.
  16. ↑ Jones 1931, pp. 24–26.
  17. ↑ a b c d e f Preston 1985, p. 53.
  18. ↑ a b Brown 2009, p. 64.
  19. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Preston 1985, p. 54.
  20. ↑ a b c d Whitley 1999, p. 15.
  21. ↑ Parkes 1931, p. 91.
  22. ↑ Brook 1999, p. 199.
  23. ↑ Brown 2009, pp. 66–67.
  24. ↑ Brown 2009, p. 67.
  25. ↑ Preston 1985, p. 63.
  26. ↑ Preston 1985, p. 384.
  27. ↑ Lyon Warship Vol. 1 No. 1, p. 54.
  28. ↑ a b c d Preston 1985, p. 58.
  29. ↑ Lyon Warship Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 57, 60.
  30. ↑ Brown 2009, pp. 64–65.
  31. ↑ Lyon Warship Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 54, 56.
  32. ↑ Preston 1985, p. 59.
  33. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba Lyon Warship Vol. 1 No. 3, pp. 50–51.
  34. ↑ a b c d e f g h Dittmar and Colledge 1972, p. 45.
  35. ↑ a b Lyon Warship Vol. 1 No. 3, p. 51.
  36. ↑ Newbolt 1928, pp. 45–46.
  37. ↑ a b c d e Dittmar and Colledge 1972, p. 46.
  38. ↑ Colledge 2006, p. 104.
  39. ↑ Colledge 2006, p. 205
  40. ↑ Newbolt 1928, p. 35.
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Corbett 1920, pp. 102–120, 352–354, 414–436.
  43. ↑ Corbett 1920, pp. 380–383.
  44. ↑ Grant 1964, p. 19.


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