.PNG)
HMS Leander (CL-1935)
HMSAS Namaqualand (CL-1936+)
Back to Commonwealth Ships List
Back to Southern African Navy list:
The Leander class were important that they marked the return of the 6" cruiser after ten years of the Treaty heavy cruisers. The British Empire requires large numbers of cruisers, quantity rather than size. A 7500 ton cruiser meant they could build 3 6" cruisers for the price of 2 of the County types. A basic armament of 8 x 6" in twin turrets was deemed sufficient for this class with first single 4" as the heavy AA, these being replaced by twin 4" as they became available and as the ships went for refits.
The four ships built for the Southern African Navy were the last overseas built cruisers for the SAN. From this class onwards the SAN built its own designs (with mixed results). With raked funnels and compact bridges these ships looked magnificent and served in theaters throughout the world. Several being lost (I am just not sure which ones yet and how).
| Displacement | 7,300 tons std, 9,750 tons full load |
| Length | 561 ft |
| Breadth | 56 ft |
| Draught | 20 ft |
| Machinery | 4 shaft steam turbines, 72,000shp |
| Speed | 32 knots |
| Range | 4,500 at 18 knots |
| Armour | 4" side, 2" deck 2.5" turrets |
| Armament | 8 x 6" (4x2) 8 x 4" (4x2) 8 x 2pd (2x4) 2 x 40mm (2x1) 14 x 20mm (6x2, 2x1) |
| Aircraft | 1 |
| Torpedoes | 8 x 21" (2x4) |
| Complement | 580 |
| Notes | HMS Leander HMS Amphion HMS Ajax HMS Achilles HMS Aboukir HMS Cressy HMS Hogue HMS Drake HMSAS Namaqualand HMSAS Zululand HMSAS Basutoland HMSAS Griqualand |
