The Arethusa-class cruisers were a class of eight oil-fired light cruisers of the Royal Navy all ordered in September 1912, primarily for service in the North Sea. They had three funnels with the middle one somewhat larger in diameter than the others. All served in the First World War. They were found to be very cramped internally.
The earlier scout cruisers were too slow to accomplish their intended duties of working with destroyerflotillas and defending the fleet against attacks by enemy destroyers. The primary emphasis of the Arethusa-class cruisers was a design speed of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph), to allow them to lead destroyers in combat. In support of this goal, they were the first cruisers to use destroyer-type high-speed steam turbines and oil-fired boilers were chosen to save weight and increase their power to meet the specification. They retained the side protection introduced in the later ships of the previous Town class, but reverted to a mixed main armament that was a feature of the earlier ships of that class.[1]
The ships were 456 feet 6 inches (139.1 m) long overall, with a beam of 49 feet 10 inches (15.2 m) and a deep draught of 15 feet 3 inches (4.6 m). Displacement was 5,185 long tons (5,268 t) at normal[2] and 5,795 long tons (5,888 t) at full load. The Arethusa class were powered by four direct-drive steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, which produced a total of 40,000 indicated horsepower (30,000 kW) and gave a speed of about 28.5 knots (52.8 km/h; 32.8 mph).[3] The six ships that used Parsons turbines were equipped with cruising turbines on the outer shafts, but the two ships that used Brown-Curtis turbines were not so fitted. The turbines used steam generated by eight Yarrow boilers at a working pressure of 235 psi (1,620 kPa; 17 kgf/cm2).[4] They carried 840 long tons (853 t) tons of fuel oil[2] that gave the ships with cruising turbines a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) and 3,200 nmi (5,900 km; 3,700 mi) for those without, both at 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph).[5]
Arethusa, built by Chatham Dockyard, laid down 28 October 1912, launched 25 October 1913, and completed August 1914. She was sunk by mine off Felixstowe on 11 February 1916.
Aurora, built by Devonport Dockyard, laid down 24 October 1912, launched 30 September 1913, and completed September 1914. She took part in the sinking of the German raider Meteor on 9 August 1915, was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy in November 1920, and for sold for breaking up in August 1927.
Galatea, built by William Beardmore and Company, Dalmuir, laid down 9 January 1913, launched 14 May 1914, and completed December 1914. She also took part in the sinking of the German raider Meteor on 9 August 1915, and was sold for breaking up 25 October 1921.
Inconstant, built by Beardmore, laid down 3 April 1913, launched 6 July 1914, and completed January 1915. She was sold for breaking up 9 June 1922.
Penelope, built by Vickers, Barrow in Furness, laid down 1 February 1913, launched 25 August 1914, and completed December 1914. She was damaged by a torpedo from the German submarine UB-29 on 25 April 1916, but repaired, and was sold for breaking up in October 1924.
Phaeton, built by Vickers, laid down 12 March 1913, launched 21 October 1914, and completed February 1915. She fought at the Dardanelles in 1915, and was sold for breaking up 16 January 1923.
Royalist, built by Beardmore, laid down 3 June 1913, launched 14 January 1915, and completed March 1915. She was sold for breaking up 24 August 1922.
Undaunted, built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan, laid down 21 December 1912, launched 28 April 1914, and completed August 1914. She took part in the Battle off Texel on 17 October 1914, and was sold for breaking up 9 April 1923.
Galatea, Inconstant, Phaeton and Royalist fought in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916.
Corbett, Julian (March 1997) [1938]. Naval Operations to the Battle of the Falklands. History of the Great War: Based on Official Documents. Vol. I (2nd ed.). London and Nashville, Tennessee: Imperial War Museum and Battery Press. ISBN0-89839-256-X.
Corbett, Julian (1997) [1929]. Naval Operations. History of the Great War: Based on Official Documents. Vol. II (2nd ed.). London and Nashville, Tennessee: Imperial War Museum in association with the Battery Press. ISBN1-870423-74-7.
Friedman, Norman (2011). Naval Weapons of World War One: Guns, Torpedoes, Mines and ASW Weapons of All Nations; An Illustrated Directory. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN978-1-84832-100-7.
Newbolt, Henry (1996). Naval Operations. History of the Great War Based on Official Documents. Vol. V (reprint of the 1931 ed.). Nashville, Tennessee: Battery Press. ISBN0-89839-255-1.
Pearsall, Alan (1984). "Arethusa Class Cruisers, Part I". Warship. VIII. London: Conway Maritime Press: 203–211. ISBN0-87021-983-9.
Pearsall, Alan (1984). "Arethusa Class Cruisers, Part II". Warship. VIII. London: Conway Maritime Press: 258–265. ISBN0-87021-983-9.
Preston, Antony (1985). "Great Britain and Empire Forces". In Gray, Randal (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. pp. 1–104. ISBN0-85177-245-5.
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WWI British light cruisers
January 01, 1970
arethusa, class, cruiser, 1913, arethusa, class, world, arethusa, class, cruiser, 1934, arethusa, class, cruisers, were, class, eight, fired, light, cruisers, royal, navy, ordered, september, 1912, primarily, service, north, they, three, funnels, with, middle,. For the Arethusa class of World War II see Arethusa class cruiser 1934 The Arethusa class cruisers were a class of eight oil fired light cruisers of the Royal Navy all ordered in September 1912 primarily for service in the North Sea They had three funnels with the middle one somewhat larger in diameter than the others All served in the First World War They were found to be very cramped internally Arethusa at speedClass overview NameArethusa class Operators Royal Navy Royal Canadian Navy Preceded byActive class Succeeded byC class Built1912 1915 In commission1914 1924 Completed8 Lost1 Scrapped7 General characteristics as built TypeLight cruiser Displacement3 512 long tons 3 568 t Length436 ft 132 9 m o a Beam39 ft 11 9 m Draught15 ft 7 in 4 75 m mean deep load Installed power8 Yarrow boilers 40 000 shp 30 000 kW Propulsion4 shafts 4 steam turbines Speed28 5 kn 52 8 km h 32 8 mph Complement270 Armament2 single 6 in 152 mm guns 6 single 4 in 102 mm guns 1 single 3 pdr 47 mm 1 9 in AA gun 2 twin 21 in 533 mm torpedo tubes ArmourWaterline belt 1 3 in 25 76 mm Deck 1 in 25 mm Contents 1 Design and description 2 Ships 3 Notes 4 Bibliography 5 External linksDesign and description editThe earlier scout cruisers were too slow to accomplish their intended duties of working with destroyer flotillas and defending the fleet against attacks by enemy destroyers The primary emphasis of the Arethusa class cruisers was a design speed of 30 knots 56 km h 35 mph to allow them to lead destroyers in combat In support of this goal they were the first cruisers to use destroyer type high speed steam turbines and oil fired boilers were chosen to save weight and increase their power to meet the specification They retained the side protection introduced in the later ships of the previous Town class but reverted to a mixed main armament that was a feature of the earlier ships of that class 1 The ships were 456 feet 6 inches 139 1 m long overall with a beam of 49 feet 10 inches 15 2 m and a deep draught of 15 feet 3 inches 4 6 m Displacement was 5 185 long tons 5 268 t at normal 2 and 5 795 long tons 5 888 t at full load The Arethusa class were powered by four direct drive steam turbines each driving one propeller shaft which produced a total of 40 000 indicated horsepower 30 000 kW and gave a speed of about 28 5 knots 52 8 km h 32 8 mph 3 The six ships that used Parsons turbines were equipped with cruising turbines on the outer shafts but the two ships that used Brown Curtis turbines were not so fitted The turbines used steam generated by eight Yarrow boilers at a working pressure of 235 psi 1 620 kPa 17 kgf cm2 4 They carried 840 long tons 853 t tons of fuel oil 2 that gave the ships with cruising turbines a range of 5 000 nautical miles 9 300 km 5 800 mi and 3 200 nmi 5 900 km 3 700 mi for those without both at 16 knots 30 km h 18 mph 5 The main armament of the Arethusa class ships was two BL 6 inch 152 mm Mk XII guns that were mounted on the centreline fore and aft of the superstructure and six QF 4 inch Mk V guns in waist mountings They were also fitted with a single QF 3 pounder 47 mm 1 9 in anti aircraft gun and four 21 in 533 mm torpedo tubes in two twin mounts 3 Ships edit nbsp View from the bow of Royalist Arethusa built by Chatham Dockyard laid down 28 October 1912 launched 25 October 1913 and completed August 1914 She was sunk by mine off Felixstowe on 11 February 1916 Aurora built by Devonport Dockyard laid down 24 October 1912 launched 30 September 1913 and completed September 1914 She took part in the sinking of the German raider Meteor on 9 August 1915 was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy in November 1920 and for sold for breaking up in August 1927 Galatea built by William Beardmore and Company Dalmuir laid down 9 January 1913 launched 14 May 1914 and completed December 1914 She also took part in the sinking of the German raider Meteor on 9 August 1915 and was sold for breaking up 25 October 1921 Inconstant built by Beardmore laid down 3 April 1913 launched 6 July 1914 and completed January 1915 She was sold for breaking up 9 June 1922 Penelope built by Vickers Barrow in Furness laid down 1 February 1913 launched 25 August 1914 and completed December 1914 She was damaged by a torpedo from the German submarine UB 29 on 25 April 1916 but repaired and was sold for breaking up in October 1924 Phaeton built by Vickers laid down 12 March 1913 launched 21 October 1914 and completed February 1915 She fought at the Dardanelles in 1915 and was sold for breaking up 16 January 1923 Royalist built by Beardmore laid down 3 June 1913 launched 14 January 1915 and completed March 1915 She was sold for breaking up 24 August 1922 Undaunted built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Govan laid down 21 December 1912 launched 28 April 1914 and completed August 1914 She took part in the Battle off Texel on 17 October 1914 and was sold for breaking up 9 April 1923 Galatea Inconstant Phaeton and Royalist fought in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916 Notes edit Pearsall Part I pp 204 206 a b Friedman 2010 p 384 a b Preston p 55 Pearsall Part I p 206 Pearsall Part I p 210Bibliography editBrown David K 1983 The Design of HMS Arethusa 1912 Warship International XX 1 35 40 ISSN 0043 0374 Brown David K 1999 The Grand Fleet Warship Design and Development 1906 1922 Annapolis Maryland Naval Institute Press ISBN 1 55750 315 X Colledge J J Warlow Ben 2006 1969 Ships of the Royal Navy The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy Rev ed London Chatham Publishing ISBN 978 1 86176 281 8 Corbett Julian March 1997 1938 Naval Operations to the Battle of the Falklands History of the Great War Based on Official Documents Vol I 2nd ed London and Nashville Tennessee Imperial War Museum and Battery Press ISBN 0 89839 256 X Corbett Julian 1997 1929 Naval Operations History of the Great War Based on Official Documents Vol II 2nd ed London and Nashville Tennessee Imperial War Museum in association with the Battery Press ISBN 1 870423 74 7 Friedman Norman 2010 British Cruisers Two World Wars and After Barnsley UK Seaforth Publishing ISBN 978 1 59114 078 8 Friedman Norman 2011 Naval Weapons of World War One Guns Torpedoes Mines and ASW Weapons of All Nations An Illustrated Directory Barnsley UK Seaforth Publishing ISBN 978 1 84832 100 7 Newbolt Henry 1996 Naval Operations History of the Great War Based on Official Documents Vol V reprint of the 1931 ed Nashville Tennessee Battery Press ISBN 0 89839 255 1 Pearsall Alan 1984 Arethusa Class Cruisers Part I Warship VIII London Conway Maritime Press 203 211 ISBN 0 87021 983 9 Pearsall Alan 1984 Arethusa Class Cruisers Part II Warship VIII London Conway Maritime Press 258 265 ISBN 0 87021 983 9 Preston Antony 1985 Great Britain and Empire Forces In Gray Randal ed Conway s All the World s Fighting Ships 1906 1921 Annapolis Maryland Naval Institute Press pp 1 104 ISBN 0 85177 245 5 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arethusa class cruiser 1913 WWI British light cruisers Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Arethusa class cruiser 1913 amp oldid 1222707792, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
