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HMS Undaunted (CLA-1915 (1935-mod))
HMSAS Mombasa (CLA-1936+)
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The Arethusa class light cruisers were used as the scouts for the Grand Fleet and later as Flotilla leaders, replacing the older Active type scouts. The name ship Arethusa was lost to mines in 1916. 3 of the remainder were transferred to Southern Africa in 1926 with the new battlecruiser Transvaal, while the final 4 were kept in Royal Navy service. Converted to oil firing in the early 20's (the Southern African ships had been converted before transfer).
The class started conversion to anti-aircraft cruisers from 1933 onward. The first two utilised single 4.5" on single AA mountings with various other light AA weapons. The other two RN and SAN ships were armed with the later twin 4.5" turret that gave an almost destroyer like silhouhette.
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The later conversions also had ASDIC fitted with a full outfit of depth charges aiding their usefulness as escorts. The earlier ships were refited to this standard during their own refit cycles.
| Displacement | 3,550 tons std 4,500 tons full load |
| Length | 436 ft |
| Breadth | 39 ft |
| Draught | 13.5 ft |
| Machinery | 4 shaft steam turbines, 40,000shp |
| Speed | 28 knots |
| Range | 4000 miles at 18 knots |
| Armour | 2" side, 1.5" deck |
| Armament | 8 x 4.5" (4x2) (7 x 4.5" - type 1) 8 x 2pd (2x4) 2 x 40mm (2x1) 8 x 20mm (3x2 2x1) |
| Mines | nil |
| Torpedoes | 4 x 21" (2x2) |
| Complement | 350 |
| Notes | HMS Undaunted (1914) type 2 HMS Phaeton (1915) type 1 HMS Inconstant (1915) type 1 HMS Royalist (1915) type 2 HMSAS Mombassa (1914) ex Aurora HMSAS Oranskie (1914) ex Galatea HMSAS Kruger (1914) ex Penelope |
