ARMOURED CRUISERS

MINOTAUR CLASS.
(Completed 1908.)

MINOTAUR.
DEFENCE.
SHANNON.

These vessels are armoured cruisers of 14,600 tons, 490 ft. in length, and have engines of 27,000 h.p., giving a speed of 23 knots. They carry a very powerful armament, consisting of four 9·2-in., ten 7·5-in., and sixteen 12-pounder guns. The 9·2-in. and 7·5-in. guns are in armoured turrets, the four first named being mounted in pairs, the 7·5 in. singly.

Protection is afforded by a 6-in. belt amidships, with 8-in. armour on the 9·2-in. turrets, and 6-in. armour on the smaller turrets. The maximum coal supply is 2,250 tons. A complement of about 800 officers and men is borne. These ships cost more than £1,400,000 each to build and complete.

WARRIOR CLASS.
(Completed 1906-07.)

WARRIOR.
ACHILLES.
NATAL.
COCHRANE.

These are armoured cruisers of 13,550 tons. They are 480 ft. in length, and have engines of 23,000 h.p., giving a speed of 23 knots. The armament consists of six 9·2-in. and four 7·5-in. guns, all mounted in single turrets, and so disposed that six heavy guns bear on each broadside. There are, besides, twenty-four 3-pounder quick-firers for use against torpedo-craft, and three submerged torpedo tubes. The armour belt and turrets are 6 in. thick. The maximum coal capacity is 2,000 tons, and a complement of over 700 officers and men is carried. Each vessel cost about £1,200,000 to build and complete.

BLACK PRINCE CLASS.
(Completed 1906.)

BLACK PRINCE.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

These armoured cruisers have a displacement of 13,550 tons, are 480 ft. long, and have engines of 23,000 h.p., giving a speed of 23·3 knots. They are armed with six 9·2-in., ten 6-in., and twenty 3-pounder guns, with three torpedo tubes. The big guns are mounted in single turrets, the 6-in. weapons being in an armoured battery.

Owing to the low freeboard of these ships, their 6-in. guns are too near the water to be worked in rough weather. They are protected on the waterline by a 6-in. armour belt, with similar plating on the gun turrets and battery. The full coal capacity is 2,000 tons. These cruisers carry 700 officers and men. They cost nearly £1,200,000 to build and complete.

DEVONSHIRE CLASS.
(Completed 1905-06.)

ANTRIM.
CARNARVON.
HAMPSHIRE.
DEVONSHIRE.
ROXBURGH.
ARGYLL.

Armoured cruisers displacing 10,850 tons, 450 ft. in length, with engines of 20,500 h.p., giving a speed of 22·3 knots. The armament is weak for vessels of this size, and consists only of four 7·5-in. and six 6-in. guns, with twenty small quick-firers and two torpedo tubes.

The 7·5-in. guns are mounted in turrets, the 6-in. weapons in casemates. There is a 6-in. belt amidships, and 6-in. plating on the turrets and casemates. The maximum coal capacity is 1,800 tons. A complement of 655 officers and men is carried. The average cost, complete, of these ships was nearly £900,000.

“COUNTY” CLASS.
(Completed 1903-04.)

KENT.
ESSEX.
MONMOUTH.
BERWICK.
SUFFOLK.
DONEGAL.
LANCASTER.
CORNWALL.
CUMBERLAND.

The displacement of this class is 9,800 tons. They are 440 ft. in length, and have engines of 22,000 h.p., which drive them at a speed of 23 knots. The armament consists of fourteen 6-in., eight 12-pounder, and three smaller quick-firing guns. Four of the 6-in. weapons are mounted in twin turrets placed at the bow and stern, the remainder being in casemates. There are two torpedo tubes.

Protection is very light throughout, there being only a 4-in. belt amidships, with 5-in. armour on the turrets. The full coal supply is 1,600 tons. A complement of 540 officers and men is carried. Each ship cost complete about £750,000.

DRAKE CLASS.
(Completed 1902-03.)

DRAKE.
LEVIATHAN.
GOOD HOPE.
KING ALFRED.

These vessels are among the best of the older armoured cruisers. Each displaces 14,100 tons, is 500 ft. long, and has engines of 30,000 h.p., giving a speed of 23 knots. On trial and in service this speed has been much exceeded, and the ships can still steam at 24 knots. They are armed with two 9·2-in. breech-loaders, sixteen 6-in., and twelve 12-pounder quick-firing guns.

The big weapons are in single turrets, one placed at each end of the ship, the 6-in. guns being mounted in casemates. Two torpedo tubes are fitted. The armour protection on the turrets, casemates, and belt has a uniform thickness of 6-in. Coal to the amount of 2,500 tons is stored in the bunkers. The complement consists of 900 officers and men. These cruisers averaged about one million sterling complete.

CRESSY CLASS.
(Completed 1901-04.)

CRESSY.
SUTLEJ.
ABOUKIR.
HOGUE.
BACCHANTE.
EURYALUS.

The Cressy group are the oldest class of armoured cruisers on the active list. They displace 12,000 tons, are 440 ft. in length, and have engines of 21,000 h.p., producing a speed of 21 knots, which was exceeded on trial by one knot. The armament comprises two 9·2-in. breech-loaders, twelve 6-in., and twelve 12-pounder quick-firing guns, with two torpedo tubes.

H.M.S. Agamemnon. Photo: Cribb, Southsea.

AGAMEMNON CLASS.

AGAMEMNON AND LORD NELSON.

Displacement: 16,500 tons.

Speed: 18¹⁄₂ knots; Guns: 4 12in., 10 9·2in.; Torpedo tubes: 5.]

Astern fire:	Broadside:	Ahead fire:
2 12in.	4 12in.	2 12in.
4 9·2in.	5 9·2in.	4 9·2in.

The big guns are mounted in single turrets fore and aft, the 6-in. weapons in casemates. There is a 6-in. belt amidships, armour of the same thickness on the turrets, and 5-in. plating on the casemates. The coal bunkers can store 1,600 tons. A complement of 750 officers and men is carried. The cost of this class when complete averaged £750,000.

ARETHUSA CLASS.
(Completed 1914.)

ARETHUSA.
AURORA.
GALATEA.
INCONSTANT.
PENELOPE.
PHAETON.
ROYALIST.
UNDAUNTED.

These are the light armoured cruisers which Mr. Churchill has described as “destroyers of destroyers.” They displace 3,600 tons, are 410 ft. long, and have turbines of 37,000 h.p., giving a speed of 30 knots. The armament consists of two 6-in., six 4-in., and four machine guns, with four torpedo tubes.

There is a belt of 3-in. armour amidships, with 3¹⁄₂-in. plating above this. The boilers are fired entirely by oil fuel, of which about 750 tons are carried. The complement numbers about 270 officers and men. The cost of this class has not yet been made public.

PROTECTED CRUISERS
(With protective decks instead of armoured belts.)

EDGAR CLASS.
(Completed 1893-94.)

EDGAR.
HAWKE.
THESEUS.
ENDYMION.
GRAFTON.
GIBRALTAR.

These vessels are the oldest cruisers we possess, displacing 7,350 tons, and having a speed of 19¹⁄₂ knots. They are armed with two 9·2-in., ten 6-in., and seventeen smaller guns, with two torpedo tubes. Coal capacity, 1,250 tons. Complement, 544 officers and men. Cost over £400,000.

ROYAL ARTHUR CLASS.
(Completed 1893-94.)

ROYAL ARTHUR.
CRESCENT.

This class displaces 7,700 tons, and has a speed of 19¹⁄₂ knots. The armament is one 9·2-in., twelve 6-in., and seventeen smaller guns, with two torpedo tubes. There is a steel deck over engines and boilers. Coal capacity, 1,250 tons. Complement, 560 officers and men. Cost, about £400,000.

TERRIBLE.
(Completed 1898.)

This is the largest protected cruiser in the British Navy. She displaces 14,200 tons, and can steam at 22 knots. Her armament consists of two 9·2-in., sixteen 6-in., and many smaller guns, with four torpedo tubes. Over engines and boilers there is a steel deck 6-in. thick. Coal capacity, 3,000 tons. Complement, 840 officers and men. Cost complete, £708,000.

DIADEM CLASS.
(Completed 1899-1902.)

DIADEM.
NIOBE.
AMPHITRITE.
ARIADNE.
EUROPA.
ANDROMEDA.
ARGONAUT.
SPARTIATE.

Protected cruisers of 11,000 tons and 20¹⁄₂ knots speed, armed with sixteen 6-in. and twelve 12-pounder quick-firing guns, with two torpedo tubes. Engines and boilers are protected by a 4-in. steel deck. Coal capacity, 2,000 tons. Complement, 677 officers and men. Cost, about £550,000. The Niobe is now a unit of the Canadian Navy.

MELBOURNE CLASS.
(Completed 1913.)

MELBOURNE.
SYDNEY.

These are protected cruisers belonging to the Australian Navy. They displace 5,600 tons, are 430 ft. long, and have a speed of 25¹⁄₂ knots. The armament consists of eight 6-in. and some small quick-firers, with two submerged torpedo tubes.

The coal capacity is 1,000 tons. A complement of 400 officers and men is carried. They each cost complete about £350,000.

NOTTINGHAM CLASS.
(Completed 1914.)

NOTTINGHAM.
BIRMINGHAM.
LOWESTOFT.

Three of our latest light cruisers. They are of 5,440 tons, with turbines of 22,000 h.p., giving a speed of 25¹⁄₂ knots. The armament is nine 6-in. and four small quick-firers, with two submerged torpedo tubes. There is a thin armour belt on the waterline. Coal capacity, 1,000 tons. The complement is 400 officers and men.

LION CLASS.

LION, PRINCESS ROYAL.

Displacement: 26,350 tons.

Speed: 28 knots; Guns: 8 13·5in., 16 4in.; Torpedo tubes: 3.

Astern fire:	Broadside:	Ahead fire:
2 13·5in.	8 13·5in.	4 13·5in.

CHATHAM CLASS.
(Completed 1912-13.)

SOUTHAMPTON.
CHATHAM.
DUBLIN.

These vessels are light cruisers of 5,400 tons, with turbines of 22,000 h.p., and a speed of 25¹⁄₂ knots. They carry an armament of eight 6-in. and four small quick-firers, with two torpedo tubes submerged. Coal capacity, 1,000 tons. Complement, 400 officers and men. Cost complete, about £350,000.

FALMOUTH CLASS.
(Completed 1911-12.)

FALMOUTH.
WEYMOUTH.
DARTMOUTH.
YARMOUTH.

Light cruisers displacing 5,250 tons, driven by turbines of 22,000 h.p. at a speed of 24³⁄₄ knots. They are armed with eight 6-in. and four small quick-firers, and two submerged torpedo tubes. The coal capacity is 1,000 tons. Complement, 390 officers and men. Cost complete, about £335,000.

BRISTOL CLASS.
(Completed 1910.)

GLASGOW.
LIVERPOOL.
BRISTOL.
GLOUCESTER.
NEWCASTLE.

These vessels are light cruisers of 4,800 tons, propelled by turbines of 22,000 h.p., at a speed of 25 knots. The armament is two 6-in., ten 4-in., and some small quick-firers, with two submerged torpedo tubes. Coal capacity, 850 tons. Complement, 375 officers and men. Cost complete, over £350,000.

ACTIVE CLASS.
(Completed 1911-12.)

ACTIVE.
FEARLESS.

These vessels belong to the Scout category, and displace 3,440 tons. Their turbines of 18,000 h.p. give a speed of 25 knots, but this is often exceeded. They are armed with ten 4-in. and four smaller quick-firers, and have two deck torpedo tubes. Coal capacity, 600 tons. Complement, 320 officers and men. They averaged complete about £270,000. The ill-fated Amphion was a sister-ship.

BLANCHE CLASS.
(Completed 1910-11.)

BLANCHE.
BLONDE.

Light cruisers of the Scout type. They displace 3,350 tons, and have turbines of 18,000 h.p., giving a speed of 25 knots. The armament is ten 4-in. and four 3-pounder quick-firers, with two torpedo tubes mounted on deck. Coal capacity, 600 tons. Complement, 285 officers and men. Cost complete, about £275,000.

BOADICEA CLASS.
(Completed 1909-10.)

BELLONA.
BOADICEA.

Light cruisers of the Scout type, displacing 3,300 tons, and having a speed of 25 knots, which is frequently exceeded by two knots. Armament: Six 4-in., four 3-pounder quick-firing guns, two deck torpedo tubes. Coal capacity, 600 tons. Complement, 263 officers and men. Cost complete, £330,000.

SENTINEL CLASS.
(Completed 1905-06.)

ADVENTURE.
ATTENTIVE.
FORESIGHT.
FORWARD.
PATHFINDER.
PATROL.
SENTINEL.
SKIRMISHER.

These vessels were the first fleet scouts. They are of about 3,000 tons displacement, and have engines of 16,500 h.p., which give them a speed of 25 knots. As originally armed, they carried a battery of 12-pounders, but these were replaced recently by nine 4-in. quick-firers, a change which much increased the fighting value. The coal supply is 400 tons, and they have a complement of 268 officers and men. The average cost, complete, was over £270,000.

“GEM” CLASS.
(Completed 1905.)

AMETHYST.
TOPAZE.
DIAMOND.
SAPPHIRE.

Light cruisers of 3,000 tons, with a speed of 22 knots. Armed with twelve 4-in. and some smaller quick-firing guns, with two torpedo tubes on deck. The coal supply is 500 tons, the complement 296 officers and men, and the average cost, complete, was about £235,000.

CHALLENGER CLASS.
(Completed 1904-06.)

CHALLENGER.
ENCOUNTER (Australian Navy).

These vessels are protected cruisers of 5,880 tons, capable of steaming 21 knots. The armament consists of eleven 6-in. and some smaller quick-firing guns. Over the engines and boilers there is a 3-in. steel protective deck. The coal capacity is 1,225 tons, the complement 454 officers and men, and they averaged, complete, £360,000.

HIGHFLYER CLASS.
(Completed 1900-01.)

HERMES.
HYACINTH.
HIGHFLYER.

These protected cruisers displace 5,600 tons. They have a speed of 20 knots, and are armed with eleven 6-in., several smaller quick-firing guns, and two torpedo tubes. The coal capacity is 1,100 tons. They carry a complement of 456 officers and men, and each ship cost, complete, over £280,000.

PELORUS CLASS.
(Completed 1897-1901.)

PROSERPINE.
PELORUS.
PEGASUS.
PYRAMUS.
PANDORA.
PERSEUS.
PROMETHEUS.
PSYCHE.
PIONEER.

The displacement of this class is about 2,200 tons, speed 20 knots, and the armament consists of eight 4-in. and some smaller quick-firing guns, with two torpedo tubes mounted on deck. The coal capacity is 520 tons. They have a complement of 234 officers and men, and each vessel cost complete, about £150,000.

ARROGANT CLASS.
(Completed 1898-99.)

FURIOUS.
VINDICTIVE.

Protected cruisers of 5,750 tons and 19 knots speed, armed with ten 6-in. and some smaller quick-firing guns, and two torpedo tubes. Coal capacity is 1,175 tons. The complement consists of 429 officers and men. Each cost complete, over £280,000.

TALBOT CLASS.
(Completed 1897-98.)

ECLIPSE.
MINERVA.
TALBOT.
DIANA.
DORIS.
JUNO.
VENUS.
ISIS.
DIDO.

These vessels are protected cruisers of 5,600 tons, with a speed of 19¹⁄₂ knots. They are armed with eleven 6-in. and some smaller guns, and have two torpedo tubes. The coal capacity is 1,050 tons, and the complement 416 officers and men. Each cost complete about £275,000.

ASTRÆA CLASS.
(Completed 1894-95.)

ASTRÆA.
CAMBRIAN.
CHARYBDIS.
FLORA.
FOX.
HERMIONE.

The displacement of these cruisers is 4,360 tons. They have a speed of 19¹⁄₂ knots, and are armed with two 6-in., eight 4·7-in., and some smaller guns. The coal capacity is 1,000 tons. A complement of 312 officers and men is carried. They averaged complete about £225,000.

SAPPHO CLASS.
(Completed 1893.)

SAPPHO.

A light cruiser of 1,400 tons displacement, with a speed of 19¹⁄₂ knots. She is armed with two 6-in., eight 4·7-in., and some smaller guns, and has four torpedo tubes. The coal supply is 1,000 tons. Her complement is 273 officers and men. She cost complete £176,000.

ÆOLUS CLASS.
(Completed 1892-93.)

ÆOLUS.
RAINBOW (Canadian Navy).
SIRIUS.
MELPOMENE.
BRILLIANT.

These light cruisers displace 3,600 tons, and have a speed of 20 knots. They are armed with two 6-in., six 4·7-in., and some smaller guns, besides four torpedo tubes. The coal capacity is 535 tons. The complement is 273 officers and men.

PEARL CLASS.
(Completed 1892.)

PHILOMEL.

A light cruiser of 2,575 tons, with a speed of 19 knots. Armament: Eight 4·7-in., and thirteen smaller guns. Two torpedo tubes. Coal capacity 440 tons. The complement is 217 officers and men, and the ship cost complete about £164,000. She is the only vessel of the Pearl Class remaining on the active list.

MEDEA CLASS.
(Completed 1889.)

MEDEA.

This is the oldest light cruiser on the active list. She displaces 2,800 tons, has a speed of 19 knots, and is armed with six 4·7-in., and fourteen smaller guns, besides four torpedo tubes. The coal capacity is 400 tons. The complement is about 200 officers and men.