WesWorld

THE BRITISH EMPIRE: Q2/1938 REPORT

A. Industrial Output

50 Factories:
Fixed IP: 0
Flexible IP: 0
Ship Tonnage: 50

B. Transfers and Acquisitions

800 tons from Persia for HMS Centaur and HMS Concord (first payment)
2,000 tons from Philippines for five Cairo Class cruisers (first payment)

C. Unit Relocations

HMS Eagle joins 3rd Carrier Squadron at Singapore on 30 June 1938 (actually in Home Waters for three months working up and trials)
4th Carrier Squadron formed at Portsmouth with HMS Ocean and HMS Theseus on 30 June
24th Light Cruiser Squadron formed with HMS Cleopatra, Argonaut, Bellona, Diadem and Bonaventure on 10 May
18th MTB Flotilla formed at Malta on 30 May
19th MTB Flotilla formed at Port Said on 30 June
1st Landing Craft Flotilla formed at Great Yarmouth on 20 June
2nd Landing Craft Flotilla formed at Great Yarmouth on 25 June
HMS Centaur and HMS Concord decommissioned and transferred to Persia 12 June
4th Light Cruiser Squadron (HMS Cairo, Calcutta, Capetown, Carlisle and Colombo) disbanded on 10 April at Bermuda and ships decommissioned on 1 May for transfer to Philippines
HMS Furious decomissioned and transfered to RCN flag on 25 May

D. Navy Programme

Resources Allocated: 50,000 tons
Previous Surplus: 3,015.5 tons
Unused Scrap: 0t
Construction Requirements (See Appendix A): 51,989 tons
Total surplus: 3,826.5 tons
Scrap Available: 0t

E. Infrastructure Programme

Resources Allocated: 0 IP
Previous Surplus: 0 IP
Resources Used: 0 IP
Carry-over: 0 IP

F. Summary Order Of Battle at End of Quarter

Note: X (Y) +Z = completed/in service (under repair/refit/rebuild) + under construction.

Battleships: 18 (1) + 1
Battlecruisers: 3 (0) + 0
Aircraft Carriers: 9 + 0
Large Monitors: 5 + 2
Class A Cruisers: 12 + 2
Class B Cruisers: 100 + 6
Class A Destroyers 0 + 0
Class B Destroyers: 176 + 8
Class A Submarines: 26 + 10
Class B Submarines: 63 + 0
Torpedo Boats: 23 + 8
Escorts/ Sloops: 90 + 0
Large River Gunboats: 12 + 0
Small River Gunboats: 16 + 0
Minesweepers: 32 + 0
Coastal Minesweepers: 16 + 0
Motor Torpedo Boats: 154 + 0
Landing Craft Vehicle LCV (1): 8+ 0
Landing Craft Vehicle LCV (2): 0
Landing Craft Infantry LCI: 8 + 0
Aircraft Carrier Tenders: 0 + 1
Destroyer Tenders: 5 + 1
Submarine Tenders: 5 + 1
Repair Ships: 7 + 0
Salvage Vessels: 2 + 0
Tankers: 45 + 0
Colliers: 1 + 0
Royal Yachts: 2+ 0
Admiralty Yacht: 1 + 0
Survey Ships: 6 + 0
Troopships (Colonial Service): 3 + 0
Hospital Ships: 1 + 0
Tugs: 12 + 0
Station Tenders: 4 + 0
Antarctic Research Vessels: 2 + 0

G. Miscellaneous Works

HMS Howe: refitted with triple 24.5in torpedo tubes and all four quad 2pdr mounts upgraded to octuple mounts. 15% refit = 1455 tons total taking 3 months

HMS Cardiff: 25% refit into an AA escort cruiser and life extension. 1008 tons total, taking 3 months to complete. Changes include, three twin 4.5in mounts, one quad 2pdr mount, four twin 57mm mounts, new HACS, aerial search radar, HF/DF and a reduction in torpedo armament.

D and E Class Destroyers: will receive two sextuple .661in HMG mounts replace the twin 14mm MG mounts. 5% refit = 75 tons = 1200 tons all 16 ships

U Class Destroyers: will receive two sextuple .661in HMG mounts in lieu of the single 20mm, torpedoes upgraded to 24.5in type. 5% refit = 69 tons each = 1104 tons all 16 ships


APPENDIX A: DETAILED SHIPBUILDING REPORT

Home Stations:

Armstrong:

S-4a:

S-4b:

S-3a:
HMS Ocean Ocean Class Aircraft Carrier
Laid Down 1 July 1936
Launched: 1 September 1937
3,021 tons this quarter for 13,290 tons
Completed 1 May 1938

[From October 1937 HMAS Lion for 15 months back Q3/39]

S-3b:
HMS Resource Reliant Class Destroyer Tender
Laid Down 1 October 1937
Launched 1 June 1938
1,650 tons this quarter for 4,950 tons
Completion due 1 June 1939

HMS Bonaventure Scylla Class Light Cruiser
Laid Down 1 January 1937
Launched: 1 July 1937
210 tons this quarter for 6,515 tons
Completed 15 April 1938

S-3c:
HMS Tyne Forth Class Submarine Tender
Laid Down 1 October 1937
Launched 1 June 1938
1,650 tons this quarter for 4,950 tons
Completion due 1 June 1939

HMS Cleopatra Scylla Class Light Cruiser
Laid Down 1 January 1937
Launched: 1 July 1937
210 tons this quarter for 6,515 tons
Completed 15 April 1938

S-2a:
HMS Norwich Cathedral Class Scout Cruiser
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 1 May 1938
626 tons this quarter for 1,252 tons
Completion due 15 December 1938

S-2b:
HMS Bury St. Edmunds Cathedral Class Scout Cruiser
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 1 May 1938
626 tons this quarter for 1,252 tons
Completion due 15 December 1938

S-2c:
HMS Argonaut Scylla Class Light Cruiser
Laid Down 1 January 1937
Launched: 1 July 1937
210 tons this quarter for 6,515 tons
Completed 15 April 1938

S-2d:
HMS Marlborough General Class Coastal Defence Ship
Laid Down 1 April 1938
Launched 1 December 1938
570 tons this quarter for 570 tons
Completion due 15 May 1939

S-1a:
HMS Jackal J Class destroyer
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 20 April 1938
507 tons this quarter for 1,014 tons
Completion due 1 December 1938

S-1b:
HMS Javelin J Class destroyer
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 20 April 1938
507 tons this quarter for 1,014 tons
Completion due 1 December 1938

S-1c:
HMS Jersey J Class destroyer
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 20 April 1938
507 tons this quarter for 1,014 tons
Completion due 1 December 1938

S-1d:
HMS Jaguar J Class destroyer
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 20 April 1938
507 tons this quarter for 1,014 tons
Completion due 1 December 1938

S-1e:
HMS Janus J Class destroyer
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 20 April 1938
507 tons this quarter for 1,014 tons
Completion due 1 December 1938

S-0a:

S-0b:

S-0c:

S-0d:

S-0e:

S-0f:

Beardmore:

S-4a:
HMS Lion Lion Class battleship
Laid Down 1 October 1936
Launched: 1 April 1938
2,438 tons this quarter for 17,066 tons
Completion due 1 September 1940

S-4b
HMS Unicorn Unicorn Class Tender
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 1 November 1938
1,965 tons this quarter for 3,930 tons
Completion due 1 March 1939

HMS Princess Royal Princess Royal Class Heavy Cruiser
Laid Down 1 January 1937
Launched: 1 October 1937
1,965 tons this quarter for 11,790 tons
Completion due 15 January 1939

S-3a:
HMS Trinidad Colony Class Light Cruiser
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 1 July 1938
1,460 tons this quarter for 2,920 tons
Completion due 1 June 1939

HMS Bellona Scylla Class Light Cruiser
Laid Down 1 January 1937
Launched: 1 July 1937
210 tons this quarter for 6,515 tons
Completed 15 April 1938

S-3b:
HMS Burma Colony Class Light Cruiser
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 1 July 1938
1,460 tons this quarter for 2,920 tons
Completion due 1 June 1939

HMS Theseus Ocean Class Aircraft Carrier
Laid Down 1 July 1936
Launched: 1 September 1937
3,021 tons this quarter for 13,290 tons
Completed 1 May 1938

S-2a:
HMS Jubilee J Class destroyer
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 20 April 1938
507 tons this quarter for 1,014 tons
Completion due 1 December 1938

S-2b:
HMS Diadem Scylla Class Light Cruiser
Laid Down 1 January 1937
Launched: 1 July 1937
210 tons this quarter for 6,515 tons
Completed 15 April 1938

S-2c:
HMS Canterbury Cathedral Class Scout Cruiser
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 1 May 1938
626 tons this quarter for 1,252 tons
Completion due 15 December 1938

S-2d:
HMS Winchester Cathedral Class Scout Cruiser
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 1 May 1938
626 tons this quarter for 1,252 tons
Completion due 15 December 1938

S-1a:
HMS Jervis J Class destroyer
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched 20 April 1938
507 tons this quarter for 1,014 tons
Completion due 1 December 1938

S-1b:
HMS Jutland J Class destroyer
Laid Down 1 January 1938
Launched: 20 April 1938
507 tons this quarter for 1,014 tons
Completion due 1 December 1938

S-0a:
HMS Starfish Shark Class submarine
Laid Down 1 January 1938
367 tons this quarter for 734 tons
Completion due 1 October 1938

S-0b:
HMS Salmon Shark Class submarine
Laid Down 1 January 1938
367 tons this quarter for 734 tons
Completion due 1 October 1938

S-0c:
HMS Sealion Shark Class submarine
Laid Down 1 January 1938
367 tons this quarter for 734 tons
Completion due 1 October 1938

S-0d:
HMS Spearfish Shark Class submarine
Laid Down 1 January 1938
367 tons this quarter for 734 tons
Completion due 1 October 1938

S-0e:
HMS Seawolf Shark Class submarine
Laid Down 1 January 1938
367 tons this quarter for 734 tons
Completion due 1 October 1938

S-0f:
HMS Snapper Shark Class submarine
Laid Down 1 January 1938
367 tons this quarter for 734 tons
Completion due 1 October 1938

Chatham:

S-5a:

S-4a:
HMS Queen Mary Princess Royal Class Heavy Cruiser
Laid Down 1 January 1937
Launched: 1 October 1937
1,965 tons this quarter for 11,790 tons
Completion due 15 January 1939

S-4b:

Pembroke:

S-5a:
HMS Eagle Eagle Class Aircraft Carrier
Laid down 1 July 1935
Launched 15 September 1936
8,957 tons this quarter for 15,673 tons
Completed 1 April 1938

S-5b:

Portsmouth:

S-4a:

S-0a:
HMS Shark Shark Class submarine
Laid Down 1 January 1938
367 tons this quarter for 734 tons
Completion due 1 October 1938

S-0b:
HMS Sturgeon Shark Class submarine
Laid Down 1 January 1938
367 tons this quarter for 734 tons
Completion due 1 October 1938

S-0c:
HMS Swordfish Shark Class submarine
Laid Down 1 January 1938
367 tons this quarter for 734 tons
Completion due 1 October 1938

S-0d:
HMS Seahorse Shark Class submarine
Laid Down 1 January 1938
367 tons this quarter for 734 tons
Completion due 1 October 1938

Royal Dockyard Malta:

S-1a:


Small Craft:

Vosper Thornycroft
8 Landing Craft Infantry LCI (1): 100 tons, 105x21.5x3.6ft (32x6.53x1.08m), two 420hp Hall-Scot petrol engines, 14.5kts, two single .661in Vickers HMG, 15 crew, 100 troops
Total 800 tons

British Power Boats
16 BPB-60-3 24 tons each: Total 384 tons

Fairmile
8 Landing Craft Vehicle LCV (1): 36 tons, 48.5ft long, one 7.77mm Vickers, able to carry one 16 ton tank or 100 troops
Total 288 tons


APPENDIX B: DETAILED DRYDOCK REPORT
Portsmouth
3 Type 4 Drydocks
D-4a: HMS Warspite 50% partial reconstruction, 2,269 tons this quarter for 13,615.5 tons total. Work completion due 15 September 1939
3 Type 2 Drydocks
4 Type 1 Drydocks

D-1a:
HMS Lark Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 April 1938
Launched 1 August 1938
202.5 tons this quarter for 202.5 tons
Completion due 1 February 1939

HMS Egret Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 June 1937
Launched 1 October 1937
67.5 tons this quarter for 675 tons
Completed 1 April 1938

D-1b:
HMS Black Swan Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 April 1938
Launched 1 August 1938
202.5 tons this quarter for 202.5 tons
Completion due 1 February 1939

HMS Pelican Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 June 1937
Launched 1 October 1937
67.5 tons this quarter for 675 tons
Completed 1 April 1938

D-1c:
HMS Bittern Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 April 1938
Launched 1 August 1938
202.5 tons this quarter for 202.5 tons
Completion due 1 February 1939

HMS Ibis Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 June 1937
Launched 1 October 1937
67.5 tons this quarter for 675 tons
Completed 1 April 1938

D-1d:
HMS Stork Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 April 1938
Launched 1 August 1938
202.5 tons this quarter for 202.5 tons
Completion due 1 February 1939

HMS Cygnet Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 June 1937
Launched 1 October 1937
67.5 tons this quarter for 675 tons
Completed 1 April 1938

6 Type 0 Drydocks
Portland
1 Type 1 Drydock
Dover
1 Type 1 Drydock
Pembroke
1 Type 1 Drydock
Haulbowline
1 Type 2 Drydock
1 Type 1 Drydock
Rosyth - Port Edgar
1 Type 4 Drydock
1 Type 3 Drydock
1 Type 2 Drydock
D-2a:
HMS Wellington General Class Coastal Defence Ship
Laid Down 1 April 1938
Launched 1 December 1938
570 tons this quarter for 570 tons
Completion due 15 May 1939

2 Type 1 Drydocks
3 Type 0 Drydocks
Chatham
1 Type 3 Drydock: HMS Queen Elizabeth 50% partial reconstruction, 2,269 tons this quarter for 13,615.5 tons total. Work completion due 15 December 1938
1 Type 2 Drydock
3 Type 1 Drydocks
D-1a:
HMS Hart Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 April 1938
Launched 1 August 1938
202.5 tons this quarter for 202.5 tons
Completion due 1 February 1939

HMS Kite Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 June 1937
Launched 1 October 1937
67.5 tons this quarter for 675 tons
Completed 1 April 1938

D-1b:
HMS Peacock Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 April 1938
Launched 1 August 1938
202.5 tons this quarter for 202.5 tons
Completion due 1 February 1939

HMS Lapwing Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 June 1937
Launched 1 October 1937
67.5 tons this quarter for 675 tons
Completed 1 April 1938

2 Type 0 Drydocks
Sheerness
2 Type 1 Drydocks
4 Type 0 Drydocks
Invergordon
1 Type 3 Drydock
1 Type 2 Drydock
Gibraltar
1 Type 4 Drydock
1 Type 2 Drydock
1 Type 1 Drydock
1 Type 0 Drydock
Port Said
1 Type 1 Drydock
Alexandria
1 Type 4 Drydock
1 Type 1 Drydock
Malta
1 Type 4 Drydock
1 Type 2 Drydock
2 Type 1 Drydocks
Singapore
1 Type 4 Drydock
1 Type 2 Drydock
2 Type 1 Drydocks
D-1a:
HMS Pheasant Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 April 1938
Launched 1 August 1938
202.5 tons this quarter for 202.5 tons
Completion due 1 February 1939

HMS Crane Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 June 1937
Launched 1 October 1937
67.5 tons this quarter for 675 tons
Completed 1 April 1938

D-1b:
HMS Wren Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 April 1938
Launched 1 August 1938
202.5 tons this quarter for 202.5 tons
Completion due 1 February 1939

HMS Hind Colonial Class torpedo boat
Laid Down 1 June 1937
Launched 1 October 1937
67.5 tons this quarter for 675 tons
Completed 1 April 1938

2 Type 0 Drydocks
Hong Kong
1 Type 3 Drydock [On loan to Australia for 1 year]
1 Type 2 Drydock
2 Type 1 Drydocks

Owing to The Canadian catching up with his reports and making an order recently I have ammended my Q2/38 report accordingly.
The relevant sections are now;


B. Transfers and Acquisitions

800 tons from Persia for HMS Centaur and HMS Concord (first payment)
2,000 tons from Philippines for five Cairo Class cruisers (first payment)
2,080 tons from Brazil for Vickers Export Carrier (first payment)
2,400 tons to Britain for 4 C class cruisers (Bahia, Barroso, Amazonas, Abreu ex- Caroline, Carysfort, Cleopatra, Comus) [Paid 1937 but I’m catching up with Canadian’s reports and had overlooked this payment]


D. Navy Programme

Resources Allocated: 50,000 tons
Previous Surplus: 3,015.5 tons
Unused Scrap: 0t
Construction Requirements (See Appendix A): 51,989 tons
Total surplus: 6,415.5 tons
Scrap Available: 0t

Quoted

Originally posted by Hood
B. Transfers and Acquisitions

800 tons from Persia for HMS Centaur and HMS Concord (first payment)
2,000 tons from Philippines for five Cairo Class cruisers (first payment)
2,080 tons from Brazil for Vickers Export Carrier (first payment)
2,400 tons to Britain for 4 C class cruisers (Bahia, Barroso, Amazonas, Abreu ex- Caroline, Carysfort, Cleopatra, Comus) [Paid 1937 but I’m catching up with Canadian’s reports and had overlooked this payment]

Brazil's got quite a foreign building project going, between building a carrier in the UK and 2 battlecruisers in Germany.

Hmm!

What's the Vickers Export Carrier look like, if I might ask?

Brazil obviously only buys from the best!

Vickers Light Carrier, Great Britain/ Brazil Aircraft Carrier laid down 1938

Displacement:
15,129 t light; 15,634 t standard; 17,632 t normal; 19,230 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
715.33 ft / 700.00 ft x 80.00 ft x 19.00 ft (normal load)
218.03 m / 213.36 m x 24.38 m x 5.79 m

Armament:
12 - 4.70" / 119 mm guns (6x2 guns), 51.91lbs / 23.55kg shells, 1938 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
24 - 1.46" / 37.0 mm guns (12x2 guns), 1.55lbs / 0.70kg shells, 1938 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, 8 raised mounts
12 - 0.52" / 13.2 mm guns (6x2 guns), 0.07lbs / 0.03kg shells, 1938 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 661 lbs / 300 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 400

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 160.00 ft / 48.77 m 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
Ends: Unarmoured
Main Belt covers 35 % of normal length
Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 1.00" / 25 mm 0.50" / 13 mm 1.50" / 38 mm
2nd: 0.50" / 13 mm - -

- Armour deck: 2.50" / 64 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 4 shafts, 140,000 shp / 104,440 Kw = 33.24 kts
Range 10,000nm at 16.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 3,596 tons

Complement:
764 - 994

Cost:
£6.401 million / $25.602 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 83 tons, 0.5 %
Armour: 2,415 tons, 13.7 %
- Belts: 524 tons, 3.0 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Armament: 31 tons, 0.2 %
- Armour Deck: 1,859 tons, 10.5 %
- Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0.0 %
Machinery: 3,834 tons, 21.7 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 5,998 tons, 34.0 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,503 tons, 14.2 %
Miscellaneous weights: 2,800 tons, 15.9 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
23,331 lbs / 10,583 Kg = 449.4 x 4.7 " / 119 mm shells or 2.4 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.16
Metacentric height 4.7 ft / 1.4 m
Roll period: 15.4 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.08
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.13

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has raised forecastle
Block coefficient: 0.580
Length to Beam Ratio: 8.75 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 26.46 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 57 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 62
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 15.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 46.00 ft / 14.02 m
- Forecastle (20 %): 46.00 ft / 14.02 m (19.50 ft / 5.94 m aft of break)
- Mid (50 %): 19.50 ft / 5.94 m
- Quarterdeck (20 %): 19.50 ft / 5.94 m
- Stern: 19.50 ft / 5.94 m
- Average freeboard: 24.80 ft / 7.56 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 92.5 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 195.4 %
Waterplane Area: 40,198 Square feet or 3,734 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 130 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 103 lbs/sq ft or 505 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.99
- Longitudinal: 1.11
- Overall: 1.00
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform

Belt is box armour around magazines
Deck armour is 2in on ain deck and 0.5in burster on flight deck
Hangar deck: 545 x 60 x 17.5ft
Served by two 40 x 33ft lifts with capacity for 15,000lbs
One hydralic accelerator with capacity for 15,000lbs aircraft
Arrestor gear of 8 wires, 1 trickle wire, 2 forward wires and two safety barriers
36 aircraft usually carried (3x 12 aircraft squadrons)
9 crated spare aircraft carried for attrition replacement
Provision for two radio-location sets

That'll be a pretty good starter carrier for Brazil. Fast, pretty well-armoured, not too expensive - looks quite nice. Match it up with Chile's Libertad and the Argentine CVLs and we could make a rocking little fast carrier force!

I like it, respectable armament, aircraft complement and speed. Armours not too shabby either.