HMS Birmingham (CL-1914 (1936-mod))

 

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Last of the Town types they were a bridge between the Towns and the following C and D types. They had exciting WW1 careers with the Nottingham being torpedoed and sunk by U52 in the North Sea. The ships proved to be of above average condition when their fate was decided along with the other Town type cruisers in the early 1930's. A lot more work was done to the ships because of their condition and as they had been stressed forward to take 2 x 6" guns it was felt a twin turret would not be out of place with 3 singles being mounted aft.

The ships were modified more than the earlier classes of the Town types. The same broadside was acchieved with the above layout as the ship had had as a broadside cruiser in its original configuration. Various radars and ASW weaponry was fitted as it became available.

 

Displacement 5,000 tons std 6,500 tons full load
Length 450 ft
Breadth 50 ft
Draught 15.5 ft
Machinery 2 shaft steam turbines, 25,500shp
Speed 26 knots
Range 3000 miles at 18 knots
Armour 3" side, 1.5" deck
Armament 5 x 6" (5x1)

4 x 4" (4x1)

4 x 2pd (1x4)

8 x 20mm (4x2)
Mines nil
Torpedoes nil
Complement 450
Notes HMS Birmingham (1914)

HMS Lowestoft (1914)

 

The pair of 6" on the foredeck are visible in this picture.

 

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