Weymouth Class Cruiser (1910): Difference between revisions
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* Eight 6-in guns on P VI mountings; 3 on each broadside and 2 on CL fore and aft | * Eight 6-in guns on P VI mountings; 3 on each broadside and 2 on CL fore and aft | ||
These mountings were the first transferable mountings to be hydraulically worked in elevation. In this class with its quick motion, it proved too cumbersome for continuous aim. Three of the ships had hydraulic training added in 1914, but reports on it were mixed. | These mountings were the first transferable mountings to be hydraulically worked in elevation. In this class with its quick motion, it proved too cumbersome for continuous aim. Three of the ships had hydraulic training added in 1914, but reports on it were mixed.{{UKTHVol4Part34|p. 16}} | ||
===Torpedoes=== | ===Torpedoes=== | ||
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===Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter=== | ===Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter=== | ||
By 1920, the three surviving ships were equipped with [[Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter Mark II*]]s with Evershed Bearing Transmitters, apparently the earliest light cruisers to be given such equipment. | By 1920, the three surviving ships were equipped with [[Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter Mark II*]]s with Evershed Bearing Transmitters, apparently the earliest light cruisers to be given such equipment.{{UKManGun1920III|p. 35}} The installations generally consisted of placing one on each side of the foretop, driven by flexible shafting from a gearbox on the director tower's 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}} | ||
===Range Dials=== | ===Range Dials=== | ||
As of 1920, the three surviving ships were each equipped with a [[Range Dial Type B]] and a [[Range Dial Type C|Type C]]. | As of 1920, the three surviving ships were each equipped with a [[Range Dial Type B]] and a [[Range Dial Type C|Type C]].{{UKManGun1920III|p. 45}} | ||
===Rangefinders=== | ===Rangefinders=== | ||
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===Transmitting Stations=== | ===Transmitting Stations=== | ||
There was a T.S. forward. | There was a T.S. forward.{{HFCI1914|p. 65}} | ||
===Dreyer Table=== | ===Dreyer Table=== | ||
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===Fire Control Instruments=== | ===Fire Control Instruments=== | ||
[[File:HandbookFCInstruments1914Plate99.jpg|thumb|512px|'''Fire Control Navyphones''' | [[File:HandbookFCInstruments1914Plate99.jpg|thumb|512px|'''Fire Control Navyphones'''{{HFCI1914|Plate 99}} ]] | ||
In 1909, it was planned that all four ships in this class were to be completed with the latest Vickers Mark II F.T.P. Fire Control Instruments, but soon after Mark III is indicated, as follows: | In 1909, it was planned that all four ships in this class were to be completed with the latest Vickers Mark II F.T.P. Fire Control Instruments, but soon after Mark III is indicated, as follows:{{HFCI1909|pp. 57, 60}}{{HFCI1914|p. 65}}{{ARTS1910|p. 148}} | ||
* Range Transmitters: 2 (P & S) | * Range Transmitters: 2 (P & S) | ||
* Deflection Transmitters: 2 (P & S) | * Deflection Transmitters: 2 (P & S) | ||
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* Vickers Fire Gongs: 8 with 2 keys | * Vickers Fire Gongs: 8 with 2 keys | ||
By 1915, a 4-way C.O.S. had been added to permit some freedom in assigning the CL guns to either broadside group: | By 1915, a 4-way C.O.S. had been added to permit some freedom in assigning the CL guns to either broadside group:{{HFCI1914|p. 65}} | ||
# both on port | # both on port | ||
# both on starboard | # both on starboard | ||
| Line 110: | Line 110: | ||
# aft on port, fore on starboard | # aft on port, fore on starboard | ||
In addition, Pattern 2464 navyphones in the control platforms addressing telaupads at the guns supported a finer control by breaking each broadside down into 2 groups, fore and aft. 3-way change-over (fore, after, separate) switches dictated which navyphones addressed which guns. The aft navyphones were in the aft control platform. The fore navyphones could be either in the fore control platform or plugged in in the T.S., though the image from 1914 provided shows these remoted to the conning tower. Curiously, two guns per broadside (only) were also given Pattern 2464 phones. A pair of 2463s and 2465s in the T.S. were provided, and a stray 2464 appears that it might be on a searchlight platform. | In addition, Pattern 2464 navyphones in the control platforms addressing telaupads at the guns supported a finer control by breaking each broadside down into 2 groups, fore and aft. 3-way change-over (fore, after, separate) switches dictated which navyphones addressed which guns. The aft navyphones were in the aft control platform. The fore navyphones could be either in the fore control platform or plugged in in the T.S., though the image from 1914 provided shows these remoted to the conning tower. Curiously, two guns per broadside (only) were also given Pattern 2464 phones. A pair of 2463s and 2465s in the T.S. were provided, and a stray 2464 appears that it might be on a searchlight platform.{{HFCI1914|Plate 99}} | ||
The centre line guns fore and aft could be joined to either broadside battery by two-way switches located in the T.S. and the control platforms (when the control platform switches are used, the T.S. switches are left "off". In the other case, plugs were removed at the control platform switches). | The centre line guns fore and aft could be joined to either broadside battery by two-way switches located in the T.S. and the control platforms (when the control platform switches are used, the T.S. switches are left "off". In the other case, plugs were removed at the control platform switches).{{HFCI1914|p. 65}} | ||
None of the ships had ''Target Visible'' or ''Gun Ready'' signals. | None of the ships had ''Target Visible'' or ''Gun Ready'' signals.{{HFCI1914|p. 11}} | ||
==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. Additionally, those with submerged tubes were to be equipped with gyro angle and order instruments from fore bridge (and after control position, if present) to the tubes. ''Weymouth'' class already has (or will have) Barr and Stroud for this purpose. | 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. Additionally, those with submerged tubes were to be equipped with gyro angle and order instruments from fore bridge (and after control position, if present) to the tubes. ''Weymouth'' class already has (or will have) Barr and Stroud for this purpose.{{ARTS1916|p. 146}} | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
Revision as of 20:09, 26 September 2012
The four light cruisers of the Weymouth Class (sometimes called Improved Bristol Class) were completed by 1912.
They were sometimes treated as the second sub-type of an encompassing "Town Class" which included the five earlier Bristol and following six Chatham, four Birmingham class and two Birkenhead class cruisers.
The Weymouths consolidated the mixed battery used in the preceding Bristol class into a uniform battery of eight 6-in guns.
| Overview of 4 vessels | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citations for this data available on individual ship pages | |||||
| Name | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
| Dartmouth | Vickers | 19 Feb, 1910 | 14 Dec, 1910 | Oct, 1911 | Sold 13 Dec, 1930 |
| Falmouth | Beardsmore | 21 Feb, 1910 | 20 Sep, 1910 | Sep, 1911 | Sold 19 Aug, 1916 |
| Weymouth | Armstrong | 19 Jan, 1920 | 18 Nov, 1910 | Oct, 1911 | Sold 2 Oct, 1928 |
| Yarmouth | London & Glasgow | 27 Jan, 1910 | 12 Apr, 1911 | Apr, 1912 | Sold 2 Jul, 1929 |
Armament
6-in Guns
- Eight 6-in guns on P VI mountings; 3 on each broadside and 2 on CL fore and aft
These mountings were the first transferable mountings to be hydraulically worked in elevation. In this class with its quick motion, it proved too cumbersome for continuous aim. Three of the ships had hydraulic training added in 1914, but reports on it were mixed.[1]
Torpedoes
The ships had two 21-in submerged broadside tubes forward depressed 2 degrees, 4 feet 7 inches below load waterline with the axis of the tube 1 foot 5 inches above the deck.[2]
Fire Control
Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter
By 1920, the three surviving ships were equipped with Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter Mark II*s with Evershed Bearing Transmitters, apparently the earliest light cruisers to be given such equipment.[3] The installations generally consisted of placing one on each side of the foretop, driven by flexible shafting from a gearbox on the director tower's Evershed rack.[4]
Supplies of these devices began in June 1918.[5]
Range Dials
As of 1920, the three surviving ships were each equipped with a Range Dial Type B and a Type C.[6]
Rangefinders
Evershed Bearing Indicators
This equipment was unlikely to have been fitted for gun or searchlight control.[7]
Gunnery Control
Directors
Main Battery
In 1916, it was approved that the ships of this class should be retrofitted with directors as time, resources and opportunity permitted.[8]
Secondary Battery
Transmitting Stations
There was a T.S. forward.[9]
Dreyer Table
These ships had no fire control tables.[10]
Fire Control Instruments
In 1909, it was planned that all four ships in this class were to be completed with the latest Vickers Mark II F.T.P. Fire Control Instruments, but soon after Mark III is indicated, as follows:[12][13][14]
- Range Transmitters: 2 (P & S)
- Deflection Transmitters: 2 (P & S)
- Range Receivers: 8
- Deflection Receivers: 8
- C.O.S.: none
- Vickers Fire Gongs: 8 with 2 keys
By 1915, a 4-way C.O.S. had been added to permit some freedom in assigning the CL guns to either broadside group:[15]
- both on port
- both on starboard
- fore on port, aft on starboard
- aft on port, fore on starboard
In addition, Pattern 2464 navyphones in the control platforms addressing telaupads at the guns supported a finer control by breaking each broadside down into 2 groups, fore and aft. 3-way change-over (fore, after, separate) switches dictated which navyphones addressed which guns. The aft navyphones were in the aft control platform. The fore navyphones could be either in the fore control platform or plugged in in the T.S., though the image from 1914 provided shows these remoted to the conning tower. Curiously, two guns per broadside (only) were also given Pattern 2464 phones. A pair of 2463s and 2465s in the T.S. were provided, and a stray 2464 appears that it might be on a searchlight platform.[16]
The centre line guns fore and aft could be joined to either broadside battery by two-way switches located in the T.S. and the control platforms (when the control platform switches are used, the T.S. switches are left "off". In the other case, plugs were removed at the control platform switches).[17]
None of the ships had Target Visible or Gun Ready signals.[18]
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. Additionally, those with submerged tubes were to be equipped with gyro angle and order instruments from fore bridge (and after control position, if present) to the tubes. Weymouth class already has (or will have) Barr and Stroud for this purpose.[19]
See Also
Footnotes
- ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 34. p. 16.
- ↑ Addenda (1911) to Torpedo Manual, Vol. III., 1909, p. 155.
- ↑ Manual of Gunnery (Volume III) for His Majesty's Fleet, 1920. p. 35.
- ↑ Manual of Gunnery (Volume III) for His Majesty's Fleet, 1920. p. 35, 37.
- ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 3, Part 23. pp. 25-6.
- ↑ Manual of Gunnery (Volume III) for His Majesty's Fleet, 1920. p. 45.
- ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 3, Part 23. p. 29.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 175.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 65.
- ↑ absent from list in Handbook of Capt. F.C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables, p. 3.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. Plate 99.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. pp. 57, 60.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 65.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1910. p. 148.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 65.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. Plate 99.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 65.
- ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. p. 11.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 146.
Bibliography
- 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 (1914). Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1914. G. 01627/14. C.B. 1030. Copy 1235 at The National Archives. ADM 186/191.
- 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.
| Weymouth Class Light Cruiser | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dartmouth | Falmouth | Weymouth | Yarmouth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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