Untitled Document

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.