09/04/2024: In reading this page, I liked the idea of the old ship drawing (now at the bottom), old time casemate armed ship, reminiscent of the Swedish cruiser Gotland. With mines replacing the aircraft. New drawings do look better - much more modern.
Based on the thought to be successful Italian cruisers, the Greeks had ordered 2 minelayers as part of the "Kilkis" project where the old pre-dreadnoughts would supply the weapons and other fittings towards the building of 5 ships. The Santorini class utilised the 7" guns of which there was 8 on each ship to be fitted to the new construction. These were fitted in 4 twin turrets. The Santorini did introduce a little bit of innovation. Where most minelayers either had their mines on rails on the quarterdeck or in a mine deck, the Santorini had both. The Santorini was fast. The Santorini made 40 knots with 110,000shp. Unfortunately like other Italian ships, this trial speed was made with virtually the hull and engines only. Under full load conditions the Santorini could make 34 knots at its normal 100,000shp rating, and 35 knots at the 110,000shp overload rating. That was still very quick for an 8,000 ton cruiser.
Greece's main defence was to mine the entrances to the various channels that led through the Greek Islands and would make life difficult for any aggressor. This included the Dardanelles and other points along the Turkish coast. To do those duties required a ship with speed to get to the laying point and back in cover of darkness. So although the Santorini's were of light cruiser size they had very little armour. Their defence was speed. They were armed well enough to defeat the destroyers that would be the only ships that could probably catch them. Then came the advent of higher and higher speed aircraft. AA guns were added to try to combat aircraft when being used for offensive minelaying in enemy waters.
.PNG)
