The Artemis class were to be the best of their type when units started completing from 1943. Compared to the Dido and Atlanta class cruisers, these ships were bigger, faster, and better armed. The Holy Trinity!
The ships were armed with the Havok twin 5" 54cal Mk21 turrets and mountings. This gun type was 50% better than the average 5" which fired at 8 rpm. The Havok guns fired at 12 rpm and had 300 rounds per gun. This combined with the thousands of 2" ammunition for the Havok 2"/60cal Mk3 fully automatic weapon system, required a 611 foot hull to take everything. The technology advances allowed for a 120,000shp propulsion system to be fitted into place where a 90,000shp propulsion system would have fitted only a few years before. The 120,000shp pushed the ship along at a respectable 34 knots, while 35.5 knots were made on trials with 115% overload of normal full power.
The class started construction in 1940 with the first two units being completed in 1943, a further 3 completed in 1944, and a last 3 in 1945.
I think I might be getting the hang of these AA cruisers, practice makes perfect!
Displacement: 9,500 tons normal, 11, 750 tons full load.
Dimensions: 611 x 59 x 22 feet
Machinery: 4 shafts, geared turbines, 120,000shp.
Speed: 34 knots
Endurance: 7,000 miles at 15 knots.
Armour: 2.5" belt, 2" deck, 1.5" turrets.
Armament:
12 x 5" (6x2)
20 x 51mm (10x2)
Crew: 560