RKS Boromakot (CL-1938)
The King class were a departure from the light and heavy
cruisers previously built by Khmer. These ships would go back to the 5.5" gun,
but these would be mounted in a new triple turret with 60 degree elevation to
give them a barrage fire capability at aircraft. The new cruisers would mount
five triple turrets for a 15 gun armament. They were to be fast enough to be
able to act as Flotilla Cruisers for the destroyer squadrons.
As with the Mueang class, the King class required large numbers of the various shell types and with five turrets to serve, very large magazines were required. 200 rounds per gun were allowed for with a mix of AA, AP and HE. The numbers of the different types of shell would depend on the mission but normal load would be 50-60 AA. 100 SAP, and 40-50 HE. A number of star shells and other specialised shells could be carried at the expense of other types.
The Boromakot and its sisters were exceptional destroyer killers. Which was why they made such good Destroyer Leaders. Boromakot was an early casualty being torpedoed by a submarine while leading its four ship flotilla.
| Displacement | 8,000 tons standard, 9,450 tons full load | |
| Length | 562 ft | |
| Breadth | 56 ft | |
| Draught | 19 ft | |
| Machinery | 4 shaft, steam turbines, 100,000shp | |
| Speed | 34 knots | |
| Range | 6000 miles at 10 knots | |
| Armour | 3" side, 2" deck, 2" turrets | |
| Armament | 15 x 5.5" (5x3) 16 x 40mm (4x4) 18 x 25mm mod38 (18x1) |
8 x 5.1" DP (4x2) 18 x 40mm (4x4, 1x2) 12 x 25mm mod 1938 (121x1) |
| Aircraft | 1 | removed 1942 |
| Torpedoes | 6 x 21" (2x3) | removed 1942 |
| Complement | 520 | 540 |
| Notes | RKS Boromakot RKS Naphalai RKS Nangklao |
|
King Boromakot cleaned up and renovated a lot of the Empire that had fallen into
wrack and ruin.
