|
|
|
Kent Class (1927) CC |
|
| The
Kent Class (1927) cruisers were the first to be designed as a direct
result of the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty. So they had to be no more than
10,000 tons displacement, and the main armament could not exceed 8in guns. With these limits armour protection was limited. But with the maximum use of high tensile steel, light alloys, and great attention paid to weight reduction throughout the design, together with a speed reduction of 2kts from 33kts to 31kts, sufficient weight margin was made to provide armour protection for machinery spaces up to 6in gunfire. Plus box armour for magazines and shell rooms. The only other modern cruisers suitable for trade route or ocean patrol were the Hawkins Class (1919) CC. All other cruiser classes were either obsolete or destined for North Sea operations. The Admiralty considered that a minimum of 70 cruisers were needed to meet the Fleet's strategic requirement. They wanted 17 of the new type, with eight ordered for the 1924/25 construction program. Cost and political considerations meant only five were ordered for the Royal Navy, plus two for Australia.
|
- Class Ship Outside Links - References |
| w. | |
|
This page last edited -
11 February, 2013.
Copyright © Ian M King, except where otherwise indicated. |
|
