View source for Boadicea Class Cruiser (1908)

The seven [[Scout Cruiser|scout cruisers]] of the '''''Boadicea'' Class''' were completed at [[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]] between 1910 and 1913.

Today, the class is often treated as three separate classes (two ''Boadiceas'', two ''Blondes'' and three ''Actives'') but contemporary documents almost always seem to discuss them collectively.<ref>For instance, ''Monthly Supplement to the Navy List'' (November, 1915) p. 25.</ref>  There are, however some significant differences.  Most notably, {{UK-1Boadicea}} and {{UK-Bellona}} had just six 4-in guns, and the others carry eight or ten.  The mountings also differ as indicated below.

Their designation as scout cruisers was taken literally, as {{UK-1Blanche}}, {{UK-Blonde}} and {{UK-Bellona}} served throughout the war providing a close-in screen to individual Battle Squadrons for fleet operations.

<div name=fredbot:ships>
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border=2 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="margin: 0 0 1em 0.5em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;" align=center;
|-
! colspan=6 align=left|Overview of 7 vessels
|-
| colspan=6 align=left|<small>Citations for this data available on individual ship pages</small>
|-
! align=center | Name 
! align=center | Builder 
! align=center | Laid Down 
! align=center | Launched 
! align=center | Completed 
! align=center | Fate
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Boadicea}}
|[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]
|1 Jun, 1907
|14 May, 1908
|Jun, 1909
|Sold 13 Jul, 1926
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Bellona}}
|[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]
|5 Jun, 1908
|20 Mar, 1909
|Feb, 1910
|Sold 9 May, 1921
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Blonde}}
|[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]
|6 Dec, 1909
|22 Jul, 1910
|May, 1911
|Sold 6 May, 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Blanche}}
|[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]
|12 Apr, 1909
|25 Nov, 1909
|Nov, 1910
|Sold 27 Jul, 1921
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Active}}
|[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]
|27 Jul, 1910
|14 Mar, 1911
|Dec, 1911
|Sold 21 Apr, 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Amphion}}
|[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]
|15 Mar, 1911
|1911
|Mar, 1913
|Mined 6 Aug, 1914
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Fearless}}
|[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]
|15 Nov, 1911
|1912
|Oct, 1913
|Sold 8 Nov, 1921
|}
</div name=fredbot:ships>

==Binoculars==
In September 1914, the ships were allowed six additional pairs of Pattern 343 Service Binoculars.{{AWO1914|331 of 8 Sep, 1914}}

==Habitability==
In 1912 and 1913, four Bastian Radiators were obtained for a temporary trial in warming the Officers' Cabins on the Upper Deck where radiators were not already present.  Based on the satisfactory reports, these radiators were kept in place permanently.{{AWO1913|600 of 24 October 1913}}

==Boats==
The ships were ordered in July 1914 to surrender their 13.5 foot dinghy unless they'd already returned their Balsa Raft &ndash; they were not to carry both.{{AWO1914|131 of 10 July 1914}}

==Rangefinders==
In January 1914, it was reported that a rangefinder mounted on the fore upper bridge may have been unable to work properly when the ships were steaming at high speeds.  Whether this was due to vibration or spray is not made clear.{{AWO1914|790 of 9 Jan, 1914}}  At the same time, it was worried that a rangefinder mounted aft had a forward arc of view obstructed by boats.{{AWO1914|791 of 9 Jan, 1914}}

In 1918, it was proposed that the "''Blonde'' class" should have their existing 4.5 foot rangefinder replaced by a 9-foot model.  It is not clear if this applies to just the ''Blonde'' group ships or this entire class.{{ARTS1918|p. 179. (G. 36364/18)}}

==Armament==

===Guns===

===''Boadicea''===
This section sourced from ''The Sight Manual, 1916''{{TheSightM|pp. 7, 87, 108,  Plate 40}} except as indicated.
* six 4-in B.L. Mark VII guns on P. IV mountings

The P. IV mountings could elevate to 15 degrees and depress to 10 degrees, but though its sight could match the 15 degree elevation, the range dial was only graduated to 8,500 yards (8.5 degrees) at 2,225 fps.  This might have been in obeisance to the Admiralty's stated desire that giving a long-ranged gun to a light cruiser is a guarantee that it will go get in a gunfight and abandon its scouting duties.{{INF}}{{CN}}

The gear-worked sights, the first F.T.P. models to be introduced, had a range gearing contant of 42.95 and spiral-reading range dials for 2850 fps, 1-in aiming rifle and .303-in aiming rifle.  M.V. could be corrected (downward only) 200 fps by adjustable scale plate.

The deflection gearing constant was 61.7 with 1 knot equal to 2.74 arc minutes, corresponding to 2824 fps at 3500 yards.  Drift was corrected by inclining the sight 2 degrees.

The layer's sight line was 16.8 inches above the bore, and 15 inches left.  The trainer's lines were 16.8 inches above and 14.9 inches right.

The sight lacked a "C" corrector.  A number of temperature scale plates corresponding to M.V.s varying by 25 fps could be shipped with an index facing the actual M.V..

Open sights do not seem to be in the drawing.

In October 1913, it was decided that the mountings should also have buzzer for their firing circuits.{{AWO1913|569 of 17 Oct, 1913}}

===''Bellona'', ''Blonde'' and ''Blanche''===
This section sourced from ''The Sight Manual, 1916''{{TheSightM|pp. 86, 108, Plate 39}}  except as noted.
* six ({{UK-Bellona}}) or ten (({{UK-Blonde}} and {{UK-1Blanche}}) 4-in B.L. Mark VII guns on P. IV* mountings with {{FTP}} sights.{{TheSightM|p. 86}}

These ships had the same mountings as some ''Bristol'' class cruisers.

The mounting could elevate 15 degrees and depress 10 degrees, but though its sight could match the 15 degree elevation, the range dial was only graduated to 11.5 degrees (10,000 yards).

These cam-worked {{FTP}} sights had range dials for 2750 fps, and 1-in and .303-in aiming rifles.  M.V. could be corrected by adjustable pointer through +/- 150 fps.

The deflection gearing constant was 64.277 with 1 knot equal to 2.41 arc minutes, corresponding to 2800 fps at 2000 yards.  Drift was corrected by inclining the sight 2 degrees.

The layer's sight line was 13.73 inches above the bore, and 15.85 inches left.  The trainer's sight line was 15.08 inches above and 14.9 inches right.

The sight had a temperature correcting scale plate and a "C" corrector.

The layer had an open sight.  The trainer's sight could be used as a [[Free Trainer's Sight|free sight]] with a counterweight.

In August of 1913, [[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]] was to supply head rests for these guns, to be fitted in the dockyard when the opportunity arose.{{AWO1913|470 of 22 Aug, 1913}}  In October 1913, it was decided that the mountings should also have buzzer for their firing circuits.{{AWO1913|569 of 17 Oct, 1913}}

===''Active'' and ''Amphion''===
This section sourced from ''The Sight Manual, 1916''{{TheSightM|pp. 86, 108, Plate 39}}  except as noted.
* ten 4-in B.L. Mark VII guns{{UKTHVol4Part36|p. 4}} on P. IV** mountings

The layer had a double-handed bicycle-type two-speed elevating crank.  At high speed, it elevated the gun 2.97 degrees per rotation.  At slow speed, it did 1.48 degrees.  The right hand had a firing trigger right on the elevating handle, and the speed selection was made by throwing a separate lever using the left hand.{{UKH4InMarksVIIAndVIII1916|Plate 32}}  The pedestal had a lever to clamp the gun in training.{{UKH4InMarksVIIAndVIII1916|Plate 31}}

The mounts could elevate 15 degrees and depress 10 degrees, but though the sights could match the 15 degree elevation, the range dials were only graduated to 11.5 degrees (10,000 yards).

These cam-worked sights had range dials for 2750 fps, and 1-in and .303-in aiming rifles.  M.V. could be corrected by adjustable pointer through +/- 150 fps.

The deflection gearing constant was 64.277 with 1 knot equal to 2.41 arc minutes, corresponding to 2800 fps at 2000 yards.  Drift was corrected by inclining the sight 2 degrees.

The layer's sight line was 13.73 inches above the bore, and 15.85 inches left.  The trainer's sight line was 13.83 inches above and 14.9 inches right.

The sight had a temperature correcting scale plate and a "C" corrector.

These were likely {{FTP}} sights, but there is no definite indication that they were.{{INF}}

The layer had an open sight.  The trainer's sight could be used as a [[Free Trainer's Sight|free sight]] with a counterweight.

In August of that 1913, [[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard]] was to supply head rests for the guns on {{UK-1Active}} and {{UK-Amphion}}, to be fitted by the ships' artificers.{{AWO1913|470 of 22 Aug, 1913}}

==={{UK-1Fearless}}===
This section is sourced from ''The Sight Manual, 1916''.{{TheSightM|pp. 81-82, 108, Plate 35}}
* ten (possibly just eight when completed) 4-in B.L. Mark VII guns on P. VIII mountings with {{FTP}} sights.

The mounts could elevate 15 degrees and depress 10 degrees, but though the sights could match the 15 degree elevation, the range dials were only graduated to 14 degrees (11,000 yards).  It appears that no other ships carried this particular mount.

These cam-worked sights had range dials for 2750 fps, and 1-in and .303-in aiming rifles.  M.V. could be corrected by adjustable pointer through +/- 150 fps.

The deflection gearing constant was 59.79 with 1 knot equal to 2.41 arc minutes, corresponding to 2750 fps at 2000 yards.  Drift was corrected by inclining the sight bracket 2 degrees.

The layer's sight line was 12 inches above the bore, and 22.3 inches left.  The trainer's sight line was 12 inches above and 18.25 inches right.

In addition to the M.V. corrector, the sight had a temperature correcting scale plate and a "C" corrector.

There was an open sight on both sides.  No mention is made of a [[Free Trainer's Sight|free sight]].

===Torpedoes===
The two ships ordered in the 1908-09 Programme had smaller torpedoes.{{DittColl|p. 45}}

{{UK-1Boadicea}} and {{UK-Bellona}}: 
* two 18-in torpedo tubes 

Other vessels:
* two 21-in torpedo tubes.

==Fire Control==
<!--
===Rangefinders===

===Evershed Bearing Indicators===

===Gunnery Control===

====Control Positions====
-->
====Control Groups====
[[File:FireControlInstruments1909Plate54.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Gun Control Groups'''{{HFCI1909|Plate 54}} ]]

In 1909, these were described as being similar to the [[Gem Class Cruiser (1903)|Gem class]], but the forecastle and poop guns could be controlled as separate groups or attached to the nearest broadside group on either side.  The middle line guns could be connected to whichever side was desired.{{HFCI1909|pp. 51-52}}  However, the figure shown indicates that the guns were grouped with the first three on each broadside being in a forward group and the aftmost pair being the aft group for navyphone control with no similar provision being offered for data circuits.

<!-- COPIED FROM GEM CLASS   Four groupings were possible for the forward guns:
* The three foremost broadside guns in 2 groups, port and starboard, with forecastle gun as third group.
* Number 2 and 3 broadside gun in two groups, port and starboard, with Number 1 broadside gun and fore gun as third group.
* As 1, but with forecastle gun in port group
* As 1, but with forecastle gun in starboard group

The aft guns had simpler groupings:
* broadside guns 4 and 5 in 2 groups, port and starboard, quarterdeck gun with port group.
* Same as above, but quarterdeck gun with starboard group. -->
<!--
===Directors===

====Main Battery====

====Secondary Battery====
-->
===Torpedo Control===
In 1907, {{UK-1Boadicea}}, {{UK-Swift}} and the [[River Class Destroyer (1903)|''River'' class destroyers]] were to be equipped with [[Fore Bridge Firing Gear]].{{ARTS1907|p. 31.  Its design was detailed in ''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1906'', p. 28}}  Later, it was decided that {{UK-Bellona}}, {{UK-Blanche}} and {{UK-Blonde}} would not receive Fore Bridge Firing Gear.{{ARTS1909|p. 33}}

===Transmitting Stations===
If we trust that they all resembled {{UK-1Fearless}}, they had a transmitting station forward.{{HFCI1914|Plate 100}}

===Dreyer Table===
These ships had no fire control tables.{{DreyerH|p. 3}}

===Fire Control Instruments===
[[File:FireControlInstruments1909Plate52.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Fire Control Circuits'''{{HFCI1909|Plate 52}} ]]

====''Boadicea'' Group====
By 1909, {{UK-1Boadicea}} (Mark I instruments) and {{UK-Bellona}} (Mark II) were outfitted with [[Vickers F.T.P. Fire Control Instruments]], marking a new wrinkle in equipment by replacing the Barr and Stroud equipment that had taken hold shortly after 1906.  The equipment was fitted as follows:{{HFCI1909|pp. 57, 60}}{{ARTS1909|p. 148}}  
* Range Transmitters:  3
* Deflection Transmitters:  3
* Range Receivers:  6
* Deflection Receivers:  6
* C.O.S.: 1
* Vickers Fire Gongs: 6 with 3 keys

Neither ship had ''Target Visible'' or ''Gun Ready'' signals.{{HFCI1914|p. 11}}

====''Blonde'' Group====
In 1909, it was planned that {{UK-Blonde}} and {{UK-1Blanche}} were to be completed with the latest [[Vickers Mark II F.T.P. Fire Control Instruments]] as follows:{{HFCI1909|pp. 57, 60}}{{ARTS1909|p. 148}}
* Range Transmitters:  2
* Deflection Transmitters:  2
* Range Receivers:  10
* Deflection Receivers:  10
* C.O.S.: none
* Vickers Fire Gongs: 10 with 2 keys

Neither ship had ''Target Visible'' or ''Gun Ready'' signals.{{HFCI1914|p. 11}}

====''Active'' Group====
[[File:HandbookFCInstruments1914Plate100.jpg|thumb|512px|'''Fire Control Navyphones and Data Circuits'''{{HFCI1914|Plate 100. Though this is said to apply to {{UK-1Fearless}}, the ten guns hints it applies to ''Active'' and ''Amphion''.}}]]

[[File:HandbookFCInstruments1914Plate101.jpg|thumb|512px|'''Fire Control Navyphones and Data Circuits'''{{HFCI1914|Plate 101}}{{HFCI1914|p. 66 Though this is said to apply to ''Scout'', the source indicates it applies to the "Fearless class"}}]]

Control was by navyphone from either:{{HFCI1914|Plate 100}}
* Aft control platform
* Upper conning tower

The upper conning tower position may have been a fall-back, as its portable navyphones could also be plugged in at the {{TS}}.

The navyphone control could split fire in fore and aft groups.  The data system for each broadside had only a single set of transmitters and not {{COS}} in the {{TS}} and could not.

Each broadside had similar, separate systems along the following pattern.  Each had a Pattern 872 firing key in the {{TS}} to actuate the Pattern 872 firing gongs at the guns, and range and deflection transmitters (with local Mark III repeats) to drive the receivers at the guns.  There were no {{COS}} fitted to allow the splitting of these data connections into fore/aft groups as was provided for the navyphone system.{{HFCI1914|Plate 100}} Confusingly, the next plate in the same source indicates that the data systems did have a {{COS}} to permit fore-aft splitting, with four sets of transmission gear in the {{TS}}.{{HFCI1914|Plate 101}}

==Alterations==
By November 1918, {{UK-1Boadicea}}, {{UK-Bellona}}, {{UK-Blonde}} and {{UK-1Blanche}} were fitted with rails for 66 mines.  The torpedo tubes and guns removed when the mines were shipped could be placed back aboard with enough notice.{{ARTSMining1917-18|p. 11. Plate 7}}

==See Also==
{{refbegin}}
* Wikipedia articles on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boadicea_class_cruiser ''Boadicea''], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blonde_class_cruiser ''Blonde''] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_class_cruiser ''Active''] classes
{{refend}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
*{{HFCI1909}}
{{refend}}

{{Footer Boadicea Class Cruiser (1908)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Boadicea}}

{{CatClassScoutCruiser|UK}}


<!-- data

nat=UK
cat=ScoutCruiser
type=scout cruiser

chain=Minor Cruisers

{group
name=''Boadicea'' Group
}

{ship
name=Boadicea
pend=4C (1914)<br>19 (Jan 1918)<br>11 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 45}}
builder=[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]{{Conways1906|p. 50}}
order=1907 Programme{{Conways1906|p. 50}}
laid=1 6 07{{Conways1906|p. 50}}
launch=14 5 1908{{Conways1906|p. 50}}
comm=6 09{{Conways1906|p. 50}}
fate=Sold
fate2=to Alloa, Rosyth{{DittColl|p. 45}}
fatedate=13 7 26{{DittColl|p. 45}}
}

{ship
name=Bellona
pend=1C (1914)<br>12 (Jan 1918)<br>87 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 45}}
builder="
order="
laid=5 6 08{{Conways1906|p. 50}}
launch=20 3 1909{{Conways1906|p. 50}}
comm=2 10{{Conways1906|p. 50}}
fate=Sold
fate2=to Ward, Lelant{{DittColl|p. 45}}
fatedate=9 5 21{{DittColl|p. 45}}
}


{group
name=''Blonde'' Group
}


{ship
name=Blonde
pend=C7 (1014)<br>18 (Jan 1918)<br>64 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 45}}
builder=[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]{{DittColl|p. 45}}
order=1909 Programme{{Conways1906|p. 50}}
laid=6 12 09{{Conways1906|p. 50}}
launch=22 7 1910{{DittColl|p. 45}}
comm=5 11{{Conways1906|p. 50}}
fate=Sold
fate2=to T. C. Pas, Holland{{DittColl|p. 45}}
fatedate=6 5 20{{DittColl|p. 45}}
}

{ship
name=Blanche
pend=6C (1914)<br>17 (Jan 1918)<br>84 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 45}}
builder="
order="
laid=12 4 09{{Conways1906|p. 50}}
launch=25 11 1909{{DittColl|p. 45}}
comm=11 10{{Conways1906|p. 50}}
fate=Sold
fate2=to Fryer, Sunderland{{DittColl|p. 45}}
fatedate=27 7 21{{DittColl|p. 45}}
}


{group
name=''Active'' Group
}


{ship
name=Active
pend=A2 (1914)<br>01 (Jan 1918)<br>N.06 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 45}}
builder=[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
order=1910 Programme{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
laid=27 7 10{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
launch=14 3 1911{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
comm=12 11{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
fate=Sold
fate2=Broken up
fatedate=21 4 20{{DittColl|p. 45}}
}

{ship
name=Amphion
pend=''N/A''{{DittColl|p. 45}}
builder="
order="
laid=15 3 11{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
launch=1911{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
comm=3 13{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
fate=Mined
fate2=in North Sea
fatedate=6 8 1914{{DittColl|p. 45}}
}

{ship
name=Fearless
pend=46 (1914)<br>64 (Jan 1918)<br>27 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 45}}
builder="
order=1911 Programme{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
laid=15 11 11{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
launch=1912{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
comm=10 13{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
fate=Sold
fate2=Broken up
fatedate=8 11 21{{DittColl|p. 45}}
}



data -->