WesWorld

1937 Naval Planning Committee

Although plans for a repeat Victorious Class fast battleship were drawn up it was decided in late 1936 to rebuild the QE Class while time and funding permitted and two such conversions were planned for 1937. HMS Barham was the first ship to begin refit and the second ship is not yet decided. HMS Lion, the sixth Victorious Class will be armed with the current range of new AA weapons and will feature some improvements in armour. DNO was able to offer the latest guns and spaces are set aside for future fire-control systems now under development. DNC decided not to alter the hull to save design time but the E-in-C was able improve the boilers and increase efficiency. This ship will allow a full force of two squadrons (ten ships) to be deployed alongside the five modernised QE Class ships.

Commander in Chief Fleet Air Aim Admiral R. G. H. Henderson succeeded in gaining funding for Carriers I and J when G (HMS Ocean) and H (HMS Theseus) complete. Plans for two further Ocean Class carriers (K & L) have been abandoned at present.

The cruiser programme will continue and five more repeat Scylla Class light cruisers will be laid down during 1937 to form another complete cruiser squadron that will replace the last of the pre-1916 C Class cruisers in service. Three more Colony Class light cruisers will also be laid down.

Heated debate ranged among the Admirals over the planned AA Cruiser conversion programme. The four remaining Ceres Class vessels were to be converted first followed by the Carlisle Class but the Assistant Chief of Staff (Home Waters) (ANCS (H)) and the Director of Naval Ordnance (DNO) argued that the Carlisle Class be spared as they were useful 6in gun cruisers perfectly suited to peacetime patrol work overseas and made two effective squadrons when combined with the D Class cruisers. Plans were made by the DNC to fit 4.5in DP twin mounts and an octuple 2pdr AA mount on the Ceres Class but the First Sea Lord, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Alfred Ernle Chatfield, pushed for them not to be converted but instead remain as patrol cruisers in peacetime with refit plans held in readiness if war breaks out. This left the five Caledon and Centaur Class cruisers. Commander in Chief Mediterranean, Admiral Dudley Pound pushed for some kind of AA cruiser saying that any conversion would be “worthwhile even if only as a temporary expedient measure”. The two Centaur Class ships were too worn to be worth the cost but the DNC drew up plans to convert the three Caledon Class ships. An outfit of single 4in guns was rejected as inadequate and instead DNC proposed an armament of three twin 3.7in DP mounts and four quadruple 2pdr AA mounts. The Director of Gunnery Division (DGD) rejected this a too weakly armed for a cruiser and suggested fitting three new twin 4.5in DP guns in shielded destroyer mounts and six 57mm AA guns. DNC found the 57mm mounts too heavy and instead added two more twin 4.5in mounts in lieu of the single 4in guns amidships and kept the two quad 2pdr mounts already fitted. The two twin 21in torpedo tubes were retained to give added surface firepower but ten 4.5in guns pleased the DGD but at the cost of the newest HA/LA directors and instead adding two HACS Mk II.

The heavy cruiser programme was delayed through costs and size and choice of guns. The DNO offered a 9.2in gun firing a 450lb shell but in the interests of commonality and reduced development time the Canadian 9.2in gun was chosen and it had the benefit of a much heavier shell. Proposals of 10 and 12in armed super cruisers were quickly thrown out not only by the DNC as, “impractical and expensive white elephants,” but also by the Sea Lords. Although a successful design was chosen last year it still had many weaknesses and design flaws which led the DNC to propose a wholly new design rather than the ‘bigger Colony Class’ idea first envisioned. DGD wanted more radar equipment added but due to the planned completion dates most of the equipment would not be ready therefore space has been left for growth. The Design Board quickly accepted the new design as the Princess Royal Class and discussions turned to numbers of ships. The First Sea Lord wanted ten ships, two cruiser flotillas to be based in the Far East and Home waters, the Second Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Martin Eric Dubar-Nasmith, proposed just five ships given the numbers of heavy cruisers currently in service. In the event a compromise of four ships was reached with another four repeat ships for next year’s estimates, or 1938, to form two cruiser flotillas along current Heavy Cruiser Squadron organisation.


The follow-on H Class destroyers for 1937 were not the repeats of the G Class that were initially planned. Several changes were made in the design following comments on the F and G Class ships in service conditions. The new shielded twin 4.5in mounts favoured by the DGD were retained but the increasingly ineffective 2pdr was to be replaced by a twin semi-auto 57mm mount which was backed by the Commander in Chief Mediterranean, Admiral Dudley Pound. The DNC rose the freeboard forward to reduce wetness and to improve sea keeping and the hull break was moved slightly aft to add extra space below to reduce overcrowding. The DGD asked for a HACS Mk II in addition to the HA/LA director and space and weight was found to add this and two twin 57mm mounts asked for by the DNO and Commander in Chief Channel Vice Admiral Bruce Fraser to match the number of 2pdr guns but offering much superior firepower. The new Asdic Type 142 based on the Type 141 for sloops with a bearing plotter and the addition of a range recorder and new amplifier was to be fitted to all ships as the new standard destroyer set.

The calls for a scout cruiser have been heard many times since 1918 and now that the navy faced the need to replace her C Class cruisers and that they lacked enough large flotilla leaders the design for a new scout cruiser began in late 1936. The Naval Staff asked for a destroyer sized scout armed with eight 4.5in guns and without armour to work with the battle line. It was to use high speed to escape detection and was to be small enough to produce a small silhouette and was considered to be an expendable ship but also with secondary escort duties. DNC produced a sketch design based on the G Class destroyer but with range increased to 6000nm at 16kts and the forecastle deck continued aft to the quarterdeck. Although dismissed by the Controller as a poor design it had sea keeping that rivalled any light cruiser.
At this point the Commander in Chief Home Fleet, Admiral of the Fleet Roger Backhouse and Commander in Chief China and Far East, Admiral Charles Morton Forbes made calls for an almost identical ship. DNC refined the hull, it was given more beam, lengthened to 400 feet and the forecastle deck was again continued aft to the quarterdeck giving unrivalled internal space compared to any British destroyer and ample spaces for radio equipment and command facilities. The Engineer in Chief (E-in-C) offered a 50,000hp twin shaft machinery layout without unitisation and this was based on the current 40,500hp destroyer set with higher boiler pressures and revised turbines. The DNO offered four of the new enclosed powered twin 4.5in mounts currently earmarked for battleships and carriers to give a rate of fire equal to a light cruiser and also giving a useful AA escort capability. DNO also wanted a twin 57mm mount but DGD felt this was too weak an armament for such a ship of this size and instead DNC fitted a quad 2pdr mount which also has a useful anti-MTB role. The Director of Torpedoes and Mines (DTM) pushed to retain the full destroyer torpedo armament of two quad 24.5in torpedo mounts and with the backing of Admiral Forbes these were retained to attack enemy targets or as a self-defence weapon but the DNC found they took up deck space. The DGD felt that armour should be fitted and proposed a 1in belt and a 0.5in thick deck to for splinter protection but the DNC pointed out that armour made the ship too big, too slow and then it would become a light cruiser and thus not expendable. The new Asdic Type 142 was fitted to serve the limited but useful depth-charge fit of two racks and two throwers for 24 DCs. As a scout radio-location equipment was specified and such equipment will be installed. A HA/LA director is fitted as is a HACS Mk II and at a very late stage DNO added Gunnery Director Type 281 equipment.
The Sea Lords soon approved the design as the Cathedral Class and then discussions were held as how many to build. The First Sea Lord thought eight, a complete destroyer flotilla but the Second Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Martin Eric Dubar-Nasmith, said if the ships were cruisers then two squadrons should be built and therefore a total of ten would be built. Commander in Chief Channel, Vice Admiral Bruce Fraser, felt the money spent on these ships would be better spent on two flotillas of H Class destroyers but Commander in Chief Western Approaches Admiral William Wordsworth Fisher and Commander in Chief South Atlantic Vice Admiral Andrew Cunningham both understood the need for such a scouting ship and called for a total of twenty such ships by 1944. Calls for them to serve as Flotilla Leaders have been rejected but clearly these ships do have a command role built into them. No decision on total numbers was reached but eight are currently planned at a rate of two per year.

The 600 Ton Colonial torpedo boats to be built during 1936 were replaced by another flotilla of Poole Class minesweepers but the Naval Staff agreed to finally build a flotilla of these ships if spare capacity in the dockyards can be found. The third, and final, Poole Class flotilla will be built during 1937.


HMS Lion, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1937

Displacement:
38,204 t light; 40,095 t standard; 42,694 t normal; 44,773 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
811.47 ft / 806.00 ft x 106.00 ft x 31.80 ft (normal load)
247.33 m / 245.67 m x 32.31 m x 9.69 m

Armament:
9 - 15.00" / 381 mm guns (3x3 guns), 1,938.00lbs / 879.06kg shells, 1934 Model
Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
on centreline ends, majority forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
20 - 4.50" / 114 mm guns (10x2 guns), 45.00lbs / 20.41kg shells, 1935 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, all amidships, 4 raised mounts - superfiring
12 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm guns (6x2 guns), 6.00lbs / 2.72kg shells, 1935 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
24 - 0.66" / 16.8 mm guns (4x6 guns), 0.14lbs / 0.06kg shells, 1935 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
Weight of broadside 18,417 lbs / 8,354 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 100

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 14.0" / 356 mm 480.00 ft / 146.30 m 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
Ends: Unarmoured
Main Belt covers 92 % of normal length

- Torpedo Bulkhead:
1.25" / 32 mm 480.00 ft / 146.30 m 30.00 ft / 9.14 m

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 13.0" / 330 mm 7.00" / 178 mm 9.00" / 229 mm
2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm 1.00" / 25 mm 2.00" / 51 mm
3rd: 0.50" / 13 mm - -
4th: 0.50" / 13 mm - -

- Armour deck: 5.25" / 133 mm, Conning tower: 3.00" / 76 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 4 shafts, 135,000 shp / 100,710 Kw = 30.24 kts
Range 8,000nm at 16.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 4,678 tons

Complement:
1,484 - 1,930

Cost:
£19.412 million / $77.647 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 2,021 tons, 4.7 %
Armour: 14,977 tons, 35.1 %
- Belts: 5,857 tons, 13.7 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 666 tons, 1.6 %
- Armament: 2,346 tons, 5.5 %
- Armour Deck: 6,029 tons, 14.1 %
- Conning Tower: 79 tons, 0.2 %
Machinery: 3,742 tons, 8.8 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 17,265 tons, 40.4 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,489 tons, 10.5 %
Miscellaneous weights: 200 tons, 0.5 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
66,938 lbs / 30,363 Kg = 39.7 x 15.0 " / 381 mm shells or 9.7 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.10
Metacentric height 6.6 ft / 2.0 m
Roll period: 17.3 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.74
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.22

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0.550
Length to Beam Ratio: 7.60 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 32.94 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 51 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 57
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 10.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 31.00 ft / 9.45 m
- Forecastle (20 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
- Mid (70 %): 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
- Quarterdeck (20 %): 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
- Stern: 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
- Average freeboard: 23.65 ft / 7.21 m
Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 80.6 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 183.9 %
Waterplane Area: 62,075 Square feet or 5,767 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 110 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 203 lbs/sq ft or 990 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.96
- Longitudinal: 1.36
- Overall: 1.00
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Radar Equipment List
[Censored]



Princess Class, Great Britain Heavy Cruiser laid down 1937

Displacement:
15,723 t light; 16,648 t standard; 18,562 t normal; 20,094 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
675.29 ft / 670.00 ft x 80.00 ft x 23.00 ft (normal load)
205.83 m / 204.22 m x 24.38 m x 7.01 m

Armament:
12 - 9.20" / 234 mm guns (4x3 guns), 510.00lbs / 231.33kg shells, 1936 Model
Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
8 - 4.50" / 114 mm guns (4x2 guns), 45.00lbs / 20.41kg shells, 1935 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, all aft, all raised mounts - superfiring
8 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm guns (4x2 guns), 6.00lbs / 2.72kg shells, 1935 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
36 - 0.66" / 16.8 mm guns (6x6 guns), 0.14lbs / 0.06kg shells, 1935 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
Weight of broadside 6,533 lbs / 2,963 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 150
8 - 24.5" / 622.3 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 410.00 ft / 124.97 m 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Ends: Unarmoured
Main Belt covers 94 % of normal length

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 5.00" / 127 mm 2.00" / 51 mm 6.00" / 152 mm
2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm 1.00" / 25 mm 1.00" / 25 mm
3rd: 0.50" / 13 mm - -
4th: 0.50" / 13 mm - -

- Armour deck: 3.00" / 76 mm, Conning tower: 3.00" / 76 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 4 shafts, 85,000 shp / 63,410 Kw = 30.27 kts
Range 10,000nm at 16.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 3,447 tons

Complement:
794 - 1,033

Cost:
£7.714 million / $30.857 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 636 tons, 3.4 %
Armour: 4,152 tons, 22.4 %
- Belts: 1,054 tons, 5.7 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Armament: 939 tons, 5.1 %
- Armour Deck: 2,114 tons, 11.4 %
- Conning Tower: 45 tons, 0.2 %
Machinery: 2,356 tons, 12.7 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,404 tons, 45.3 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,839 tons, 15.3 %
Miscellaneous weights: 175 tons, 0.9 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
33,880 lbs / 15,368 Kg = 87.0 x 9.2 " / 234 mm shells or 3.4 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.10
Metacentric height 4.3 ft / 1.3 m
Roll period: 16.3 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 71 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.92
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.31

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has rise forward of midbreak
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0.527
Length to Beam Ratio: 8.38 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 29.87 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 54
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 10.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
- Forecastle (20 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
- Mid (70 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m (19.00 ft / 5.79 m aft of break)
- Quarterdeck (20 %): 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
- Stern: 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
- Average freeboard: 24.22 ft / 7.38 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 70.1 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 195.2 %
Waterplane Area: 38,097 Square feet or 3,539 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 131 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 151 lbs/sq ft or 735 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.94
- Longitudinal: 1.65
- Overall: 1.00
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Class Names: Princess Royal, Queen Mary, Iron Duke, Edgar

Radar Equipment
[Censored]



Cathedral Class, Great Britain Scout Cruiser laid down 1936

Displacement:
2,400 t light; 2,511 t standard; 2,891 t normal; 3,195 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
409.10 ft / 400.00 ft x 36.50 ft x 15.00 ft (normal load)
124.69 m / 121.92 m x 11.13 m x 4.57 m

Armament:
8 - 4.50" / 114 mm guns (4x2 guns), 45.00lbs / 20.41kg shells, 1935 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
4 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm guns (1x4 guns), 2.00lbs / 0.91kg shells, 1922 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mount
on centreline amidships, all raised guns - superfiring
12 - 0.66" / 16.8 mm guns (2x6 guns), 0.14lbs / 0.06kg shells, 1935 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, all forward, all raised mounts - superfiring
Weight of broadside 370 lbs / 168 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 250
8 - 24.5" / 622.3 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 1.00" / 25 mm 0.50" / 13 mm 0.50" / 13 mm
2nd: 0.50" / 13 mm - -
3rd: 0.50" / 13 mm - -

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 50,000 shp / 37,300 Kw = 34.06 kts
Range 6,000nm at 16.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 684 tons

Complement:
196 - 256

Cost:
£1.631 million / $6.524 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 47 tons, 1.6 %
Armour: 17 tons, 0.6 %
- Belts: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Armament: 17 tons, 0.6 %
- Armour Deck: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0.0 %
Machinery: 1,329 tons, 46.0 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 918 tons, 31.7 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 490 tons, 17.0 %
Miscellaneous weights: 90 tons, 3.1 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
1,088 lbs / 493 Kg = 23.9 x 4.5 " / 114 mm shells or 0.4 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.34
Metacentric height 1.8 ft / 0.6 m
Roll period: 11.3 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 50 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.58
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.43

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has low quarterdeck
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0.462
Length to Beam Ratio: 10.96 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 22.77 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 66 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 35
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 20.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
- Forecastle (20 %): 21.50 ft / 6.55 m
- Mid (50 %): 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
- Quarterdeck (15 %): 11.00 ft / 3.35 m (20.00 ft / 6.10 m before break)
- Stern: 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
- Average freeboard: 19.46 ft / 5.93 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 165.1 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 93.9 %
Waterplane Area: 9,774 Square feet or 908 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 88 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 40 lbs/sq ft or 194 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.50
- Longitudinal: 3.28
- Overall: 0.60
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate
Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Class Names: Lincoln, Salisbury, Chichester, Llandaff, Norwich, Canterbury, Bury St Edmunds, Winchester

Misc weight includes:
Asdic Type 142
Radio Location Type 79
Gunnery Director Type 281
24 DCs (two racks and two throwers)
8 torpedoes and handling gear (no reloads)
15 tons growth


H Class Destroyer, Great Britain Destroyer laid down 1937

Displacement:
1,672 t light; 1,745 t standard; 1,946 t normal; 2,106 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
369.10 ft / 360.00 ft x 33.00 ft x 13.00 ft (normal load)
112.50 m / 109.73 m x 10.06 m x 3.96 m

Armament:
6 - 4.50" / 114 mm guns (3x2 guns), 45.00lbs / 20.41kg shells, 1935 Model
Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
on centreline ends, majority forward, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
4 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm guns (2x2 guns), 6.00lbs / 2.72kg shells, 1935 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side, all amidships, all raised mounts - superfiring
12 - 0.66" / 16.8 mm guns (2x6 guns), 0.14lbs / 0.06kg shells, 1935 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, all forward, all raised mounts - superfiring
Weight of broadside 296 lbs / 134 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 200
8 - 24.5" / 622.3 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 1.00" / 25 mm 0.50" / 13 mm 1.00" / 25 mm
2nd: 0.50" / 13 mm - -
3rd: 0.50" / 13 mm - -

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 40,500 shp / 30,213 Kw = 34.06 kts
Range 4,000nm at 16.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 361 tons

Complement:
146 - 190

Cost:
£1.202 million / $4.807 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 37 tons, 1.9 %
Armour: 14 tons, 0.7 %
- Belts: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Armament: 14 tons, 0.7 %
- Armour Deck: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0.0 %
Machinery: 932 tons, 47.9 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 608 tons, 31.3 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 274 tons, 14.1 %
Miscellaneous weights: 80 tons, 4.1 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
555 lbs / 252 Kg = 12.2 x 4.5 " / 114 mm shells or 0.3 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.19
Metacentric height 1.3 ft / 0.4 m
Roll period: 12.1 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 50 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.61
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.06

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has rise forward of midbreak
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0.441
Length to Beam Ratio: 10.91 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 21.66 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 68 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 47
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 20.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
- Forecastle (20 %): 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
- Mid (44 %): 22.00 ft / 6.71 m (11.00 ft / 3.35 m aft of break)
- Quarterdeck (15 %): 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
- Stern: 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
- Average freeboard: 16.08 ft / 4.90 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 174.3 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 56.6 %
Waterplane Area: 7,813 Square feet or 726 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 74 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 36 lbs/sq ft or 175 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.50
- Longitudinal: 2.44
- Overall: 0.58
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
Room for accommodation and workspaces is cramped

Class Names: HMS Havoc, Hasty, Hereward, Hostile, Hyperion, Hardy, Hogue, Halberd

Misc weight includes:
Asdic Type 142
Full load DCs (two racks and four throwers)
4 reload torpedoes and handling gear


Caledon Class, Great Britain Light Cruiser laid down 1916

Displacement:
3,966 t light; 4,120 t standard; 4,797 t normal; 5,338 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
429.41 ft / 425.00 ft x 42.75 ft x 16.50 ft (normal load)
130.88 m / 129.54 m x 13.03 m x 5.03 m

Armament:
6 - 4.50" / 114 mm guns (3x2 guns), 45.00lbs / 20.41kg shells, 1935 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts
on centreline ends, majority aft, 1 raised mount aft - superfiring
4 - 4.50" / 114 mm guns (2x2 guns), 45.00lbs / 20.41kg shells, 1935 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts
on side, all amidships
8 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm guns (2x4 guns), 2.00lbs / 0.91kg shells, 1922 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side, all aft, all raised mounts - superfiring
12 - 0.66" / 16.8 mm guns (1x12 guns), 0.14lbs / 0.06kg shells, 1935 Model
Machine guns in deck mount
on side aft, all raised guns
Weight of broadside 468 lbs / 212 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 200
8 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 3.00" / 76 mm 350.00 ft / 106.68 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Ends: 2.50" / 64 mm 75.00 ft / 22.86 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Main Belt covers 127 % of normal length

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 2.00" / 51 mm 1.00" / 25 mm -
2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm 1.00" / 25 mm -
3rd: 0.50" / 13 mm - -
4th: 0.50" / 13 mm - -

- Armour deck: 1.25" / 32 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 42,653 shp / 31,819 Kw = 29.00 kts
Range 6,370nm at 15.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 1,218 tons

Complement:
287 - 374

Cost:
£0.672 million / $2.690 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 59 tons, 1.2 %
Armour: 731 tons, 15.2 %
- Belts: 394 tons, 8.2 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Armament: 40 tons, 0.8 %
- Armour Deck: 296 tons, 6.2 %
- Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0.0 %
Machinery: 1,589 tons, 33.1 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,568 tons, 32.7 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 830 tons, 17.3 %
Miscellaneous weights: 20 tons, 0.4 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
4,523 lbs / 2,052 Kg = 99.3 x 4.5 " / 114 mm shells or 0.8 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.37
Metacentric height 2.4 ft / 0.7 m
Roll period: 11.5 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 64 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.16
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.29

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck
Block coefficient: 0.560
Length to Beam Ratio: 9.94 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 20.62 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 61 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 10.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
- Forecastle (23 %): 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
- Mid (50 %): 14.50 ft / 4.42 m
- Quarterdeck (15 %): 14.50 ft / 4.42 m
- Stern: 14.50 ft / 4.42 m
- Average freeboard: 17.76 ft / 5.41 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 118.0 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 96.9 %
Waterplane Area: 12,799 Square feet or 1,189 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 109 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 65 lbs/sq ft or 319 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.91
- Longitudinal: 2.21
- Overall: 1.00
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate
Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Refit Changes
Replacement of 6in guns with three twin 4.5in DP mounts (A, X and Y mounts)
Replacement of 4in singles with two twin 4.5in DP mounts
Addition of two sextuple 0.661in HMG AA mounts
Addition of HACS MkII

The Lion looks good and seems solid.

Something about the Princess class makes it look small, I'm not sure what it is. The 9.2" gun will certainly do well against Treaty cruisers, but this ship needs to avoid tangling with the various supercruisers (though they're often rather larger). Also, I'd be worried that the heavy AA fit is too light, at only 4 guns per side.

The Cathedral class looks like it should accomplish it's task, though with my German hat on I'd say it's a bit slower than I'd want for the role. The slanted superstructure also looks a little funny, not sure why.

The H class looks like a good solid Treaty-type destroyer, able to be produced in numbers and to accomplish it's jobs very well. A little more speed would be no bad thing, but it's not a necessity..

The 57mm is a dubious choice though, unless the RN has gotten it to fire accurately, reliably, and at rate, AND has a way to keep the clips coming to it.

Well done, Hood. Good post.

One nit pick on the heavy CA: Her secondaries are too closely grouped. A single bomb/shell can easily wipe them out. The ship is large enough to find better positions, methinks....

Superstructures on your new light units looks a tad bit "fat" in general but that´s probably just me.

The 19th Light Cruiser Squadron has been de-activated and reformed with new ships. The four old C Class cruisers (HMS Cambrian, Canterbury, Castor and Constance) have been decommissioned and are up for sale for disposal. Are there any bids? If none are recieved by the end of Q4 then the ships will either by scrapped or sunk as gunnery targets. I'll accept block orders or just single ships.

Here are the specs for the ships but note they will need a refit and modernisation. No keel kickers please!

HMS Cambrian, British Light Cruiser laid down 1914

Displacement:
3.608 t light; 3.750 t standard; 4.532 t normal; 5.139 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
420,00 ft / 420,00 ft x 41,50 ft x 16,25 ft (normal load)
128,02 m / 128,02 m x 12,65 m x 4,95 m

Armament:
4 - 6,00" / 152 mm guns in single mounts, 108,00lbs / 48,99kg shells, 1914 Model
Breech loading guns in deck mounts
on centreline, evenly spread
Aft Main mounts separated by engine room
4 - 4,00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32,00lbs / 14,51kg shells, 1914 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on centreline, all aft
4 - 1,57" / 40,0 mm guns (1x4 guns), 1,95lbs / 0,89kg shells, 1914 Model
Breech loading guns in deck mount
on centreline amidships
8 - 0,79" / 20,0 mm guns (4x2 guns), 0,24lbs / 0,11kg shells, 1914 Model
Breech loading guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread
Weight of broadside 570 lbs / 258 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 150
4 - 21,0" / 533,4 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 3,00" / 76 mm 330,00 ft / 100,58 m 8,00 ft / 2,44 m
Ends: 2,50" / 64 mm 90,00 ft / 27,43 m 8,00 ft / 2,44 m
Main Belt covers 121 % of normal length

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 2,00" / 51 mm - -
2nd: 1,00" / 25 mm - -
3rd: 0,50" / 13 mm - -
4th: 0,50" / 13 mm - -

- Armour deck: 1,00" / 25 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 38.455 shp / 28.687 Kw = 28,50 kts
Range 7.070nm at 15,00 kts (Bunkerage = 1.407 tons)

Complement:
276 - 359

Cost:
£0,501 million / $2,003 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 71 tons, 1,6 %
Armour: 642 tons, 14,2 %
- Belts: 388 tons, 8,6 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0,0 %
- Armament: 34 tons, 0,7 %
- Armour Deck: 221 tons, 4,9 %
- Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0,0 %
Machinery: 1.481 tons, 32,7 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 1.414 tons, 31,2 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 923 tons, 20,4 %
Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0,0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
3.970 lbs / 1.801 Kg = 36,8 x 6,0 " / 152 mm shells or 0,8 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,44
Metacentric height 2,5 ft / 0,8 m
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 61 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,16
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1,22

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has raised forecastle
Block coefficient: 0,560
Length to Beam Ratio: 10,12 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 20,49 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 60 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0,00 degrees
Stern overhang: 0,00 ft / 0,00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 24,00 ft / 7,32 m
- Forecastle (30 %): 22,00 ft / 6,71 m (14,00 ft / 4,27 m aft of break)
- Mid (50 %): 14,00 ft / 4,27 m
- Quarterdeck (15 %): 14,00 ft / 4,27 m
- Stern: 14,00 ft / 4,27 m
- Average freeboard: 16,64 ft / 5,07 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 118,3 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 97,0 %
Waterplane Area: 11.929 Square feet or 1.108 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 109 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 63 lbs/sq ft or 309 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0,93
- Longitudinal: 1,85
- Overall: 1,00
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate
Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Love the Princess Royals, there.

1937 DIRECTOR OF NAVAL CONSTRUCTION REPORT ON FUTURE REFITS AND RECONSTRUCTIONS TO MAINTAIN AN EFFECTIVE BATTLEFLEET INTO THE 1940S

BATTLESHIPS
The QE Class battleship refits have been adequately discussed elsewhere and fully funded by the Treasury and so will not be referred to in this report other than to say when completed all five will be much better ships able to fight the newer battleships on more equal terms.
The Resolutions have already been fitted with two 2pdr octuple mounts and four .661in HMG sextuple mounts. Once the Victorious Class are completed these ships will be either sold or refitted for other duties. One will be rebuilt into a gunnery training ship; two other hulls may become ‘super monitors’.

BATTLECRUISERS
The Hood is being rebuilt and should emerge as a powerful warship equal to any other foreign ship of similar class.
The Invincible has had some 2pdr AA mounts added and Inflexible will follow suit. Little else will be done to these ships until nearer 1940 when more modern AA weapons will be fitted and possibly new 6in turrets. Their unusual layout prevents a more radical refit and so will have to solider on until replacement.

HEAVY CRUISERS
The Kent Class are adequate ships, the main area for concern is AA defence. A refit will install four twin 3.7in DP mounts, two octuple 2pdr AA mounts and two sextuple .661in HMG mounts alongside two HACS Mk.III. Two triple 24.5in torpedo tubes will also be fitted
The Howe Class will be refitted with the triple 24.5in torpedo tubes and the current four quad 2pdr mounts will be upgraded to octuple mounts. The weaker belt over the machinery spaces gives cause for concern against the latest heavy cruisers but it is unlikely any remedies can be found without sacrificing X turret to save weight.
The Anson Class are relatively new ships (under seven years old) and have excellent AA defences and the refits of the Kents and Howes will bring them broadly to Howe Class standards.

LIGHT CRUISERS
The Improved E Class ships will be refitted with four twin 3.7in DP mounts; the two after single 4in will be replaced by two quad 2pdr mounts to give a total of 16 barrels. The 20mm light AA cannon will be replaced by two or four sextuple .661in HMG mounts.
The E Class will receive two twin 4.5in DP mounts losing all her single 4in guns and two beam 6in guns. Her torpedo fit will be reduced to two quad mounts. Four quad 2pdr AA and sextuple .661in HMG mounts will be fitted.
The C Class and D Class cruiser refits will be ultimately to 4.5in armed AA cruiser configuration using the current Caledon Class refits as a baseline although their value as patrol cruisers with a powerful 6in armament cannot be dismissed and possibly only the Ceres Class will be converted. Once all the current planned Scylla and Colony Class cruisers have been built this programme may well be restarted but many of the older hulls are running out of effective life and will have to be replaced by 1943. In the interim the DNC suggests fitting another quad 2pdr and two sextuple .661in HMG mounts as a minor improvement in AA defence and retaining the single 4in guns or replacing them with two twin 3.7in mounts.
The F and G Classes will be refitted with four twin 4in mounts, two octuple 2pdr mounts and two sextuple .661in HMG mounts removing all the current single mounts and 20mm guns.
The H and I Classes will be refitted with two octuple 2pdr mounts and two sextuple .661in HMG mounts removing all the current single mounts and 20mm guns. These cruisers have weaker 2in thick belts; thicker HT steel backing might be added to these ships if enough weight can be saved by removing aircraft facilities.
The J Class will receive four sextuple .661in HMG mounts in lieu of the 20mm cannon.
The K and L Class will be refitted like the Js but this time in lieu of the quad 14mm MG mounts.

DESTROYER LEADERS
The Thornycroft Leaders will lose the midships 4in mount and 4.7in mount in favour of two quad 2pdr mounts and one sextuple .661in HMG mount.

DESTROYERS
The V and W Classes (those without 4.7in guns) will be rebuilt as AA escorts with two twin 4in (or 4.5in), two twin 6pdr AA, and one sextuple .661in HMG mount along with a HACS Mk.III
The U Class will receive two or three sextuple .661in HMG mounts in lieu of the twin 2pdrs.
The X and Z Classes will lose one single 4.7in mount for one quad 2pdr and the current twin 2pdr will be replaced by two sextuple .661in HMG mounts. Triple 24.5in torpedo tubes will be fitted.
The Y Class will receive one quad 2pdr, two sextuple .661in HMG mounts and triple 24.5in torpedoes.
The A and B Classes will receive one quad 2pdr, two sextuple .661in HMG mounts.
The D and E Classes will replace the twin 14mm MG mounts with two sextuple .661in HMG mounts.

GUNNERY NOTES
The varied secondary guns are a result of weight restrictions. The DGD has looked into the matter closely and basically any ship with eight single 4in can accomodate twin 4in mounts but those ships with little board margin left or those with only four-six single 4in mounts can only accomodate the lighter twin 3.7in mount which is the better AA weapon but less effective in a surface combat role. Also further orders of this type keep Vickers in business while they develop a follow-on export series. The 4.5in DP mount will only be mounted in the cruiser conversions as main armament and the rebuilt W Class destroyers, agian owing purely to weight restrictions.

Quoted

Originally posted by Hood
Once the Victorious Class are completed these ships will be either sold or refitted for other duties. One will be rebuilt into a gunnery training ship; two other hulls may become ‘super monitors’.

...

What might be the price for Revenge or Royal Oak? Both Bulgaria and Ireland are keenly interested, or will be before 1940...

[SIZE=1]There's the sound of both navies' admirals bouncing up and down in their offices saying "I want it, I want it, pick me! Pick meee! Need more battleships!![/SIZE]

The Commonwealth nations have first refusal, although both Canada and Australia were consulted some time ago and both did not feel these ships would be of much use to a modern navy or did not fit with thier current doctrines.

If both still feel the same way in 1938-39 then two, possibly three, will be sold as exports to the right buyers. I'm sure price deals can be done owing to the age of the ships and material condition.

Hmmm, if its three Colombia might be interested as well.

Although Brazil does need other things, old capital ships are better than no capital ships, so Brazil is interested as well.

I guess Bharat and the Philippines could also put a bid.

How many BB's does tiny Peru have already?

More than Brazil, thats for sure.

Small nations don't think outside the box, they buy outside the box.

That said, Mexico would have absolutely no problem with Peru buying a few more white elephants especially if the price is heavy enough! In the meantime, Mexico will bring a resolution to the League of Nations that such a warmongering country shouldn't be given access to more war materials (from Bolivia)...

Quoted

Originally posted by howard

Why else even consider them?

Small and poor nations have to think outside the box.

You just answered your own question. Small and poor nations can't afford it. They lack the money and manpower to do so. Its also worth noting that battleships are the periodical equivilent to nuclear weapons. The more you have the more wary your neighbours become. It would be kinda hard for Colombia and Chile to persue peacefull relations with Peru when they are massively building up their military (unrealistically IMO).

Now, let's not be pointing fingers: consider the Chilean reaction when the Peruvian's bought a coast defense ship. The Chileans felt the need to demonstrate their massive naval superiority and humiliate the Peruvians. A similar response (though not quite as extreme) occured when the Peruvians bought their first dreadnought from India. Not exactly the actions of a neighbor that's looking to be totally friendly, hmmmm?

I'd have to look at the ships closer, but depending on when exactly they come on the market, there is a chance the Dutch might be interested.