The Christensen class were the first 'light' cruisers to be built for Antarctica. These were to be a medium sized cruiser in between the smaller 2,000 ton scouts that had been previously built and the much larger armoured cruiser classes. These were 'broadside' cruisers where the the most guns were situated on the broadside of the ship rather than inline as became the norm a few years later. Half your guns were pointing the wrong way.



These ships were always going to be early casualties after the Great War. Many better, more modern cruisers, had been built since the Christensen class were completed. Not much had been done to the ships during their careers. the 2pd guns were swapped out for 2pd AA guns, while the torpedoes were removed and replaced wit a 3" AA gun. By the end of 1920 all four had gone to the breakers yard. These ships had been an important step between the smaller scout cruisers and the 'modern' inline cruisers to come.

 

Displacement	3,900 tons standard, 4,300 tons full load
Length	436 ft
Breadth	46 ft
Draught	17 ft
Machinery	4 shaft, steam turbines, 24,000ihp
Speed	25 knots
Range	5,000 miles at 10 knots
Armour	2" side, 1" deck
Armament	As completed 2 x 6" (2x1) 6 x 4" (6x1)
Torpedoes	2 x 18" (2x1) removed and replaced with 2x3" AA
Complement	400
Notes