CL 1915 Hermes

Hermes Class Cruisers.

With the completion of the Aphrodite in early 1912 and its acceptance trials, The Atlantean Admiralty ordered a further eight of the class to a new layout. While the Aphrodite's were armed with 10 guns only 7 could fire to either broadside. The Aphrodite introduced the twin open 5.5" mounting, with one being fitted in A position. The only way to get a better broadside with the 10 gun armament was to mount them in 5 twin mounts on the centerline. On completion of the first two units in 1915 they also sported 4 x 75mm AA guns, another first for Atlantean ships. The torpedo armament was reduced from 8 to 6, with the four twins being replaced with two triples. What most distinguished these ships from the earlier Aphrodite's was the change from coal to oil firing propulsion systems. On a slightly increased 5,300 ton displacement, the ships were much improved.

By the time the first pair of Hermes class cruisers reached Scapa Flow in mid 1916, the fun was over. While some smaller battles took place between light forces of each side, the Hermes war was peaceful compared to the earlier Aphrodite's class. By wars end the ships were still as good as new. These ships and the later Apollo class formed the back bone of the Atlantean cruiser force for the next ten years till the first of the 'Treaty' cruisers started completing. By 1935 the ships were starting to show their age. With the rumblings in Europe, and the wars in the East, Atlantis had no ships to spare, so the Hermes class was to be rebuilt to act as an Anti-Aircraft Escort to the bigger fleet units. The remaining seven ships of the class were refitted to the new equipment from 1936-1939. The only loss was the Hermes itself which was lost to a U-boats torpedo in 1918.

The new armament featured four twin 5" DP guns, one by quad 40mm cannon, 6 x 25.4mm cannons.

Displacement: 5,300 tons normal, 6,900 tons full load.
Dimensions: 478 x 51 x 19 feet
Machinery: 2 shaft, steam turbines, 60,000shp.
Speed: 32 knots
Endurance: 6,000 miles at 12 knots
Armour: 2.5" belt, 1.5" deck, 1.5" shields.
Armament:
10 x 5.5" (5x2)
4 x 75mm AA (4x1)
6 x 21" torpedoes (2x3)
Crew: 480

AWS Hermes - Service/Fate: Sunk 1918, by U-Boat torpedoes.

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