Danae Class Cruiser (1917): Difference between revisions

From The Dreadnought Project
Jump to navigationJump to search
(use templates for Technical History references)
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
The eight [[Light Cruiser|light cruisers]] of the '''Danae Class''' (sometimes called the '''Dragon Class''' or the '''Dunedin Class''' or the '''Diomede Class''', perhaps with some distinction not apparent now) were completed between 1918 and 1922.  An additional four planned ships were not completed.
The eight [[Light Cruiser|light cruisers]] of the '''Danae Class''' (sometimes called the '''''Dragon'' Class''' or the '''''Dunedin'' Class''' or the '''''Diomede'' Class''', perhaps with some distinction not apparent now) were completed between 1918 and 1922.  An additional four planned ships were not completed.


==Machinery==
==Machinery==
===Generators===
===Generators===
In 1916, it was stated that ""C" and "D" class light cruisers" have three 52.5 kw dynamos at 105 volts.<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School', 1916', p. 120.</ref>
In 1916, it was stated that ""C" and "D" class light cruisers" have three 52.5 kw dynamos at 105 volts.{{ARTS1916|p. 120}}


==Armament==
==Armament==
Line 9: Line 9:


===Guns===
===Guns===
* Six 6-in 45cal B.L. Mark XII guns on the centre-line with a maximum elevation of 30 degrees.<ref>''Progress in Naval Gunnery, 1914-1918", p. 10.</ref> The guns had armoured shields of 1.5 inches on the face, 1 inch on sides and top, weighing 4.25 tons.<ref>''Technical History and Index'', Vol 3, Part 28, p. 18.</ref>
* Six 6-in 45cal B.L. Mark XII guns on the centre-line with a maximum elevation of 30 degrees.{{UKProgressInNavalGunnery1914-1918|p. 10}} The guns had armoured shields of 1.5 inches on the face, 1 inch on sides and top, weighing 4.25 tons.{{UKTHVol4Part28|p. 18}}
* Two 3-in 20cwt Q.F. Mark I on H.A. mountings
* Two 3-in 20cwt Q.F. Mark I on H.A. mountings
* Two 2-pdr pom-poms
* Two 2-pdr pom-poms


===Torpedoes===
===Torpedoes===
* Twelve 21-in above water tubes on four triple mountings disposed in pairs abreast, bearing 60-120 degrees.<ref> ''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916'', p. 35.</ref>
* Twelve 21-in above water tubes on four triple mountings disposed in pairs abreast, bearing 60-120 degrees.{{ARTS1916|p. 35}}


As the 6-in guns fired over these, they likely proved untenable for manned firing as the 6-in guns would have necessitated a blast shield projecting fully 18 feet from the muzzle.  The ugly expedient taken was to train the tubes to a pre-arranged bearing on coming to action stations and to use remote firing from the primary and secondary control positions.<ref> ''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916'', p. 35.  I am inferring that the faults in ''Caledon'' carried through to this class.</ref>
As the 6-in guns fired over these, they likely proved untenable for manned firing as the 6-in guns would have necessitated a blast shield projecting fully 18 feet from the muzzle.  The ugly expedient taken was to train the tubes to a pre-arranged bearing on coming to action stations and to use remote firing from the primary and secondary control positions.{{ARTS1916|p. 35.  I am inferring that the faults in ''Caledon'' carried through to this class}}


==Fire Control==
==Fire Control==


===Range Dials===
===Range Dials===
As of 1920, ''Diomede'' and ''Despatch'' had a single [[Range Dial Type C]] with a 9 foot dial and the other six ships had two Type Cs with 9 foot dials and a [[Range Dial Type L|Type L]].<ref>''Manual of Gunnery of H.M. Fleet, Volume III, 1920'', p. 45.</ref>
As of 1920, {{UK-Diomede}} and {{UK-Despatch}} had a single [[Range Dial Type C]] with a 9 foot dial and the other six ships had two Type Cs with 9 foot dials and a [[Range Dial Type L|Type L]].{{UKManGun1920III|p. 45}}


===Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter===
===Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter===
By 1920, all the ships were likely equipped with four [[Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter Mark II*]]s.  ''Delhi'', ''Durban'' and ''Dunedin'' had Elliott's Bearing Transmitters, and the others the more customary Evershed arrangement.  The installations generally consisted of placing one on each side of the foretop, driven by flexible shafting from a gearbox on the director tower (or the Evershed rack).<ref>''Manual of Gunnery of H.M. Fleet, Volume III, 1920'', p. 35, 37.</ref>
By 1920, all the ships were likely equipped with four [[Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter Mark II*]]s.  {{UK-Delhi}}, {{UK-Durban}} and {{UK-Dunedin}} had Elliott's Bearing Transmitters, and the others the more customary Evershed arrangement.  The installations generally consisted of placing one on each side of the foretop, driven by flexible shafting from a gearbox on the director tower (or the Evershed rack).{{UKManGun1920III|p. 35, 37}}


Supplies of these devices began in June 1918.{{FCHMShips|pp. 25-6}}
Supplies of these devices began in June 1918.{{FCHMShips|pp. 25-6}}
Line 41: Line 41:


===Directors===
===Directors===
All ships were completed with gunnery directors in place.{{FCHMShips|p. 11}}  The director was in a tower on a pedestal mounting and may have been augmented by use of their "X" gun as a [[Directing Gun|directing gun]] as on the earlier [[Caledon Class Cruiser (1916)|''Caledon'' class]] ships.<ref>''Handbook of Captain F.C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables, 1918'', p. 142 and plate opposite.</ref>
All ships were completed with gunnery directors in place.{{FCHMShips|p. 11}}  The director was in a tower on a pedestal mounting and may have been augmented by use of their "X" gun as a [[Directing Gun|directing gun]] as on the earlier [[Caledon Class Cruiser (1916)|''Caledon'' class]] ships.{{DreyerH|p. 142 and plate opposite}}


===Transmitting Stations===
===Transmitting Stations===


===Dreyer Table===
===Dreyer Table===
All eight ships carried a [[Dreyer Table Mark III*]], ''Dauntless'', ''Danae'' and ''Dragon'' possessing a modified form.<ref>Admiralty.  ''Pamphlet on the Mark III* Dreyer Table, 1930'', p. 1.</ref>
All eight ships carried a [[Dreyer Table Mark III*]], ''Dauntless'', ''Danae'' and ''Dragon'' possessing a modified form.{{PamDreyerIII*|p. 1}}


===Fire Control Instruments===
===Fire Control Instruments===


==Torpedo Control==
==Torpedo Control==
In 1916, it was decided that all light cruisers of ''Bristol'' class and later should have torpedo firing keys (Pattern 2333) fitted on the fore bridge, in parallel with those in the CT, and that a flexible voice pipe be fitted between these positions.<ref>''Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1916'', p. 146.</ref>
In 1916, it was decided that all light cruisers of [[Bristol Class Cruiser (1909)|''Bristol'' class]] and later should have torpedo firing keys (Pattern 2333) fitted on the fore bridge, in parallel with those in the CT, and that a flexible voice pipe be fitted between these positions.{{HFCI1914|p. 146}}


By 1917, modifications to the torpedo control voice pipe system were desired.  The voice pipes (port and starboard) to the CT were ordered to be removed in 1917, and in 1918, stop cocks were to be added just abaft the after torpedo positions to allow the after control position to be chopped out to improve the acoustic efficiency of the networks to remaining the rangefinder platform control position forward. {{ARTS1918|p. 214.  CT VP removal per C.I.O. 4037/17}}
By 1917, modifications to the torpedo control voice pipe system were desired.  The voice pipes (port and starboard) to the CT were ordered to be removed in 1917, and in 1918, stop cocks were to be added just abaft the after torpedo positions to allow the after control position to be chopped out to improve the acoustic efficiency of the networks to remaining the rangefinder platform control position forward. {{ARTS1918|p. 214.  CT VP removal per C.I.O. 4037/17}}
Line 69: Line 69:
*{{UKProgressInNavalGunnery1914-1918}}
*{{UKProgressInNavalGunnery1914-1918}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


{{Footer Danae Class Cruiser (1917)}}
{{Footer Danae Class Cruiser (1917)}}
Line 88: Line 87:
{ship
{ship
name=Danae
name=Danae
pend=32 (Jul 1918)<ref>Dittmar; Colledge.  ''British Warships: 1914-1919'', p. 50.</ref>
pend=32 (Jul 1918){{DittColl|p. 50}}
builder=[[Armstrong]]
builder=[[Armstrong]]{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
order=
order=
laid=
laid=11 12 16{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
launch=26 Jan, 1918
launch=26 Jan, 1918{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
comm=
comm=6 1918{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
fate=
fate=Sold
fate2=
fate2=Broken up
fatedate=
fatedate=1 1948{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
}
}


{ship
{ship
name=Dauntless
name=Dauntless
pend=71 (Nov 1918)<ref>Dittmar; Colledge.  ''British Warships: 1914-1919'', p. 50.</ref>
pend=71 (Nov 1918){{DittColl|p. 50}}
builder=[[Palmer]]
builder=[[Palmer]]{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
order=
order=
laid=
laid=3 1 17{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
launch=10 Apr, 1918
launch=10 Apr, 1918{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
comm=
comm=11 18{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
fate=
fate=Sold
fate2=
fate2=Broken up
fatedate=
fatedate=2 46{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
}
}


{ship
{ship
name=Dragon
name=Dragon
pend=19 (Sep 1918)<ref>Dittmar; Colledge.  ''British Warships: 1914-1919'', p. 50.</ref>
pend=19 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 50}}
builder=[[Scotts]]
builder=[[Scotts]]{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
order=
order=
laid=
laid=1 17{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
launch=29 Dec, 1917
launch=29 Dec, 1917{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
comm=
comm=8 18{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
fate=
fate=Scuttled
fate2=
fate2=
fatedate=
fatedate=8 7 1944{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
}
}


{ship
{ship
name=Delhi
name=Delhi
pend=6A (Nov 1918)<ref>Dittmar; Colledge. ''British Warships: 1914-1919''.</ref>
pend=6A (Nov 1918){{DittColl|p. 50}}
builder=[[Armstrong]]
builder=[[Armstrong]]{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
order=
order=
laid=29 Oct, 1917
laid=29 Oct, 1917{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
launch=23 Aug, 1918
launch=23 Aug, 1918{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
comm=
comm=5 1919{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
fate=Sold
fate=Sold
fate2=Sold Jan 1948
fate2=Broken up
fatedate=
fatedate=Jan 1948{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
}
}


{ship
{ship
name=Dunedin
name=Dunedin
pend=96 (Aug 1919)<ref>Dittmar; Colledge. ''British Warships: 1914-1919''.</ref>
pend=96 (Aug 1919){{DittColl|p. 50}}
builder=[[Armstrong]]
builder=[[Armstrong]]{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
order=
order=
laid=Nov, 1917
laid=Nov, 1917{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
launch=19 Nov, 1918
launch=19 Nov, 1918{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
comm=
comm=9 1919{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
fate=Sunk
fate=Torpedoed
fate2=Sunk 24 November, 1941
fate2=by U 124
fatedate=
fatedate=24 November, 1941{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
}
}


{ship
{ship
name=Durban
name=Durban
pend=99 (Sep 1921)<ref>Dittmar; Colledge. ''British Warships: 1914-1919''.</ref>
pend=99 (Sep 1921){{DittColl|p. 50}}
builder=[[Scott]]
builder=[[Scott]]{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
order=
order=
laid=Jan, 1918
laid=Jan, 1918{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
launch=29 May, 1919
launch=29 May, 1919{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
comm=
comm=11 1921{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
fate=
fate=Scuttled
fate2=Scuttled 9 June, 1944 at Normandy
fate2=at Normandy
fatedate=
fatedate=9 June, 1944{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
}
}


{ship
{ship
name=Despatch
name=Despatch
pend=30 (Jun 1922)<ref>Dittmar; Colledge.  ''British Warships: 1914-1919'', p. 50.</ref>
pend=30 (Jun 1922){{DittColl|p. 50}}
builder=[[Fairfield]]
builder=[[Fairfield]]{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
order=
order=
laid=
laid=8 7 1918{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
launch=24 Sep, 1919
launch=24 Sep, 1919{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
comm=
comm=6 1922{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
fate=
fate=Sold
fate2=
fate2=Broken up
fatedate=
fatedate=4 1946{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
}
}


{ship
{ship
name=Diomede
name=Diomede
pend=92 (Apr 1922)<ref>Dittmar; Colledge.  ''British Warships: 1914-1919'', p. 50.</ref>
pend=92 (Apr 1922){{DittColl|p. 50}}
builder=[[Vickers]]
builder=[[Vickers]]{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
order=
order=
laid=
laid=3 6 1918{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
launch=29 Apr, 1919
launch=29 Apr, 1919{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
comm=
comm=10 1922{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
fate=
fate=Sold
fate2=
fate2=Broken up
fatedate=
fatedate=4 1946{{Conways1906|p. 62}}
}
}


Revision as of 14:42, 19 September 2012

The eight light cruisers of the Danae Class (sometimes called the Dragon Class or the Dunedin Class or the Diomede Class, perhaps with some distinction not apparent now) were completed between 1918 and 1922. An additional four planned ships were not completed.

Machinery

Generators

In 1916, it was stated that ""C" and "D" class light cruisers" have three 52.5 kw dynamos at 105 volts.[1]

Armament

The ships were armed as follows.[2]

Guns

  • Six 6-in 45cal B.L. Mark XII guns on the centre-line with a maximum elevation of 30 degrees.[3] The guns had armoured shields of 1.5 inches on the face, 1 inch on sides and top, weighing 4.25 tons.[4]
  • Two 3-in 20cwt Q.F. Mark I on H.A. mountings
  • Two 2-pdr pom-poms

Torpedoes

  • Twelve 21-in above water tubes on four triple mountings disposed in pairs abreast, bearing 60-120 degrees.[5]

As the 6-in guns fired over these, they likely proved untenable for manned firing as the 6-in guns would have necessitated a blast shield projecting fully 18 feet from the muzzle. The ugly expedient taken was to train the tubes to a pre-arranged bearing on coming to action stations and to use remote firing from the primary and secondary control positions.[6]

Fire Control

Range Dials

As of 1920, Diomede and Despatch had a single Range Dial Type C with a 9 foot dial and the other six ships had two Type Cs with 9 foot dials and a Type L.[7]

Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter

By 1920, all the ships were likely equipped with four Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter Mark II*s. Delhi, Durban and Dunedin had Elliott's Bearing Transmitters, and the others the more customary Evershed arrangement. The installations generally consisted of placing one on each side of the foretop, driven by flexible shafting from a gearbox on the director tower (or the Evershed rack).[8]

Supplies of these devices began in June 1918.[9]

Rangefinders

Sometime during or after 1917, an additional 9-foot rangefinder was to be added aft to augment torpedo control.[10]

Evershed Bearing Indicators

These ships almost certainly had Evershed gear for gun control from delivery, and were the first new light cruisers to also feature Evershed installations for searchlight control.[11]

Gunnery Control

Control Positions

Control Groups

Directors

All ships were completed with gunnery directors in place.[12] The director was in a tower on a pedestal mounting and may have been augmented by use of their "X" gun as a directing gun as on the earlier Caledon class ships.[13]

Transmitting Stations

Dreyer Table

All eight ships carried a Dreyer Table Mark III*, Dauntless, Danae and Dragon possessing a modified form.Template:PamDreyerIII*

Fire Control Instruments

Torpedo Control

In 1916, it was decided that all light cruisers of Bristol class and later should have torpedo firing keys (Pattern 2333) fitted on the fore bridge, in parallel with those in the CT, and that a flexible voice pipe be fitted between these positions.[14]

By 1917, modifications to the torpedo control voice pipe system were desired. The voice pipes (port and starboard) to the CT were ordered to be removed in 1917, and in 1918, stop cocks were to be added just abaft the after torpedo positions to allow the after control position to be chopped out to improve the acoustic efficiency of the networks to remaining the rangefinder platform control position forward. [15]

See Also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 120.
  2. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 61.
  3. ↑ Progress in Naval Gunnery, 1914-1918. p. 10.
  4. ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 28. p. 18.
  5. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 35.
  6. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 35. I am inferring that the faults in Caledon carried through to this class.
  7. ↑ Manual of Gunnery (Volume III) for His Majesty's Fleet, 1920. p. 45.
  8. ↑ Manual of Gunnery (Volume III) for His Majesty's Fleet, 1920. p. 35, 37.
  9. ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 3, Part 23. pp. 25-6.
  10. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917. p. 199. (possibly pertinent: C.I.O. 481/17).
  11. ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 3, Part 23. p. 29.
  12. ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 3, Part 23. p. 11.
  13. ↑ Handbook of Captain F. C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables, 1918. p. 142 and plate opposite.
  14. ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 146.
  15. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918. p. 214. CT VP removal per C.I.O. 4037/17.

Bibliography

  • Admiralty, Gunnery Branch (1917). The Director Firing Handbook. O.U. 6125 (late C.B. 1259). Copy No. 322 at The National Archives. ADM 186/227.
  • Admiralty, Gunnery Branch (1910). Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. Copy No. 173 is Ja 345a at Admiralty Library, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
  • Admiralty, Gunnery Branch (1918). Handbook of Captain F. C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables, 1918. C.B. 1456. Copy No. 10 at Admiralty Library, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
  • Admiralty, Technical History Section (1919). The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in H.M. Ships. Vol. 3, Part 23. C.B. 1515 (23) now O.U. 6171/14. At The National Archives. ADM 275/19.
  • Admiralty, Gunnery and Torpedo Division (July, 1919). Progress in Naval Gunnery, 1914-1918. C.B. 902. The National Archives. ADM 186/238.


Danae Class Light Cruiser
First Group
  Danae Dauntless Dragon  
Second Group
Delhi Dunedin Durban Despatch Diomede
<– Ceres Class Minor Cruisers (UK) Capetown Class –>



Retrieved from "http://dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php?title=Danae_Class_Cruiser_(1917)&oldid=55343"