HMS Edinburgh (Enlarged & modified Town Class)
Originally intended to displace 10,000 tons standard, these cruisers differed considerably from the Southhampton type. The 6 inch triple turrets allowed 45 degree elevation and ramming was by hand, but the endless chain shell and cordite hoists were direct to the gunhouse with no break at the working chamber. The after turrets were raised, with 'Y' at forecastle deck level. The shell rooms for the 6 inch were above the magazines so that their crowns were formed by the lower deck and all the ring bulkheads extended to this level.
Unfortuanatly although th AA armament was increased, the 4 icnh magazines were well forward of the guns and ammunition supply was unsatisfactory. There was an athwartships catapult and hanger abaft the bridge. Box protection to ammunition spaces was given up in this class, and replaced by extending the belt fore and aft. Horizontal protection was 3 inch over ammunition spaces, 2 inchs over the machinery which was further aft than in Southamton, and 2 in - 1.5 inch over the stearing gear. Tactical diameter was 640yds at 12 kts.
Consideration was given to arming this class (or the next large cruisers, which were abandoned under the revised treaty limit of 8000 tons) with power loaded quadruple 6 inch turrets with the shell and charge rammed in one operation, but design work was suspended in January 1937.
GENERAL
Nationallity | British |
Type | Light Cruiser |
Builder | Swan Hunter (Wallsend). United Kingdom |
Laid Down | 29 December 1936 |
Launched | 31 March 1938 |
Commisioned | 6 July 1939 |
Fate | Torpedoed twice Apr.30/42 by German submarine U-456 Torpedoed again May.2/42 by German Z-24 Scuttled by torpedo from destroyer Foresight 2 May 1942 in the Barents Sea near North Cape, Norway while covering Russian Convoy QP.11. The ship was carrying a considerable amount of gold bullion. |
DISPLACEMENT
Standard | 10,635 tons |
Full Load | 13,175 tons |
DIMESIONS
Length(Waterline) | 603' |
Length(Overall) | 613.6' (187 m) |
Beam | 63.04' (19.2 m) |
Draft | 20.09' (6.12 m) |
ARMAMENT (1939 Design)
Main Battery | 12 x 6" (152 mm)/50 cal BL Mark XXIII (4x3) 2 forward 2 aft |
Secondary Battery | 8 x 4" (102 mm) /45 cal QF HA MkXVI (4x2) 12 (6x2) |
AA | 8 x 40.5 mm (2pdr)/40 cal Vickers MkII PomPom (2x4) 16 (2x8) 8 x 0.5"/62 cal Vickers MkIII MG (3x4) |
Torpedoes | 6 x 21" (533 mm) above water in 2 triple mounts |
RADARS
Air Warning | 1 x HA.DCT |
Air Search | Type 284/286 |
Surface Search | Type 273 Type 271 |
Fire Control | Air recognition (AR) type 285 Air recognition (AR) type 282 (2pdr) |
ARMOUR
Belt | 4.88" (124 mm) main belt 4.88"-2.5" (124-63.5 mm) magazines 2.5"-1.5" (63.5-38 mm) ends |
Deck | 2"-1.25" (51-32 mm) |
Bulkheads | 2.5" (63.5 mm) |
Turrets | 1" (25 mm) 4" (102 mm) face, 2" (51 mm) sides (modified) |
Barbettes | 2"-1" (51-25 mm) |
Conning Tower | N/A |
PROPULSION
Boilers | 4 Admiralty 3 drum-type |
Turbines | Parsons geared turbines |
Horsepower | 75,000 shp 82,500 (modified/Edinburgh) |
Shafts | 4 |
Endurance | 9,800 nm at 15 knots |
Max Speed | 33 knts 32.25 knots sea speed |
Oil Bunkerage | 2,375 tons |
COMPLIMENT
Usual | 750 |
Consideration was given to arming this class (or the next large cruisers, which were abandoned under the revised treaty limit of 8000 tons) with power loaded quadruple 6 inch turrets with the shell and charge rammed in one operation, but design work was suspended in January 1937.