Page 336 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

334 CRUISERS

1914–1945 Traditionally, “cruisers” were warships Yard for signal flags

big enough to be able to undertake protracted
voyages and operate for long periods. By the

subdivided into three classes: “scout,” “protected,”
ARS early years of the 20th century, they were
and “armored,” with additional subcategories—
but within a decade, new builds conformed to
a single pattern. Later, they would be described
ORLD W as “light” if armed with 6in guns, and “heavy” if 12 boilers ducted
into three funnels
they mounted anything larger. Later still, an
anti-aircraft cruiser emerged, with high-angle
guns to protect against bombers.
THE W 10.5cm gun on
shielded mount

▲ SMS REGENSBURG Regensburg was one of a pair of light
Commissioned 1915 Origin Germany cruisers armed with a dozen 10.5cm Bulges improved
guns—the Imperial German Navy’s stability
Displacement 6,380 tons
standard at that time. Their role was
1
Length 468 ⁄4ft (142.7m) to lead destroyer flotillas.
Top speed 28 knots
▼ HMS CAROLINE The lead ship of a group of six
Commissioned 1914 Origin UK fast, light cruisers intended as
4in quick-firing gun Displacement 4,735 tons destroyer flotilla leaders, HMS
Caroline saw active service at
Length 446ft (135.9m) Jutland. In 1924, it became
Radio antenna
Searchlight platform Top speed 28.5 knots a training ship at Belfast,
Northern Ireland, where
it remains today.
Two 6in guns

Bridge with
chartroom below
▶ PERTH This ship was the leader of a class of three light
Commissioned 1936 Origin UK cruisers, Perth, Hobart, and Sydney, which were
transferred to the Royal Australian Navy. They
Displacement 9,150 tons were quite small by later standards, but gave
1
Length 562 ⁄2ft (171.4m) good service. Although Perth and Sydney were
Top speed 32.5 knots both war losses, the latter destroyed the German
commerce raider Kormorant in the process.
Catapult for launching
spotter aircraft ◀ USS NORTHAMPTON
Tripod mast with
gunnery control platform Commissioned 1930 Origin US
Displacement 11,420 tons
1
Length 600 ⁄4ft (183m)
Three 6in
guns in turret Top speed 32.5 knots
The design of this leader of a class
of six armoured heavy cruisers was
compromised by the constraints of the
Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. It was
ultimately sunk by torpedoes during the
short but hectic Battle of Tassafaronga
on the night of November 30, 1942.