Difference between revisions of "Caroline Class Cruiser (1914)"

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(Guns)
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===Guns===
 
===Guns===
 +
The ships of ''Caroline'', ''Calliope'' and ''Cambrian'' classes had their gun armament increased as the war went on.<ref>''Technical History and Index'' indicates on page 4 that "12 ships of the "Cambrian" and "Calliope" Class" were so modified.  That the ''Caroline'' ships are part of this total of 12 ships is made clear on page 7.</ref>
 +
 
Original:
 
Original:
* Two 6-in 45cal BL Mark XII guns aft
+
* Two 6-in 45cal BL Mark XII guns aft on P VII mountings, able to elevate 15 degrees.<ref>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 36, pp. 5-6.</ref>
 
* Eight semi-automatic 4-in 45cal QF Mark IV guns; 2 in tandem forward, 3 on each beam
 
* Eight semi-automatic 4-in 45cal QF Mark IV guns; 2 in tandem forward, 3 on each beam
  
1916-1917:
+
This configuration drew criticism and it was proposed in 1915 to place a third gun forward in lieu of the pair of 4-in guns originally situated there as:<ref>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 36, pp. 4-5.</ref>
 +
* the 6-in guns had superior range and hitting power
 +
* the German 4.1-in gun on the opposing light cruisers was found to outrange the British 4-in QF Mark V guns
 +
* intelligence indicated that the next German light cruisers might move to 5.9-in guns and the older ships may also get larger weapons
 +
* it was desired to augment the firepower in closing actions
 +
 
 +
This resulted in the configuration, decided upon in June 1916 to effect the alteration (all completed by summer 1917) for 12 ships described as the "''Calliope'' class", but by the number 12 almost certainly indicating ''Calliope'', ''Cambrian'' and ''Caroline'' classes:<ref>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 36, p. 5.</ref>
 
* Two tandem 4-in guns forward replaced by third 6-in gun.
 
* Two tandem 4-in guns forward replaced by third 6-in gun.
 +
* one 4-in HA gun on an ad hoc "HA I" or "HA II" mounting to replace 3-pdr Vickers HA gun, with a second to appear when guns and proper HA III mountings became available.
 +
 +
The 6-in mountings were modified to a 20 degree elevation limit, increased from the original limit of 15 degrees, as the ships were refitted for director firing in late 1917-1918.<ref>''Progress in Naval Gunnery, 1914-1918", p. 10.</ref><ref>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 36, p. 6.</ref>
  
The 6-in mountings were modified to a 20 degree elevation limit, increased from a likely former limit of 15 degrees.<ref>''Progress in Naval Gunnery, 1914-1918", p. 10.</ref>
+
In October 1916, Commodore, Harwich Force recommended removing all 4-in guns but the forward-most pair which would be converted to HA mountings.  By removing five 4-in guns, a fourth 6-in gun could be mounted abaft the funnel. A variation on this was to be applied in 1918, though logistics slowed the work:<ref>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 36, pp. 5-7.</ref>
 +
* <b>all</b> 4-in guns removed except the single HA mounting (presumably, HA III.  There is no solid evidence that the second one was ever shipped)
 +
* Fourth 6-in gun on elevated CL platform abaft funnels (on P VII* mountings, as the P VII supplies were nil)
  
1917-1918:
+
A final 1918 rearmament was to provide two 3-in HA guns in the positions where 4-in HA guns had previously been discussed.  This plan was never was put into effect.
* Fourth 6-in gun on elevated CL platform abaft funnels; all 4-in guns removed
+
  
More data on alterations in Conway's.
+
By the end of 1918, all the ''Caroline''s but ''Comus'' had four 6-in P VII 20  degree mountings and one 4-in HA gun.  ''Comus'' had merely had her three 6-in mountings modified for 20 degree elevation, but was brought up to spec after the Armistice and prior to 1921.<ref>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 36, p. 7.</ref>
  
 
===Torpedoes===
 
===Torpedoes===

Revision as of 16:37, 4 August 2011

The six light cruisers of the Caroline Class (sometimes called the Comus Class) were completed in 1914 and 1915. This class is sometimes considered part of either the Cambrian or Calliope classes (it is never easy to tell).[1]

Design

The Arethusa class had a 6-in gun forward and another aft, but this class moved the forward one aft as well in order to ensure it could be operable in any sea state and also to facilitate control of the 6-in guns by placing them close together.[2]

Armament

The ships were armed as follows.[3]

Guns

The ships of Caroline, Calliope and Cambrian classes had their gun armament increased as the war went on.[4]

Original:

  • Two 6-in 45cal BL Mark XII guns aft on P VII mountings, able to elevate 15 degrees.[5]
  • Eight semi-automatic 4-in 45cal QF Mark IV guns; 2 in tandem forward, 3 on each beam

This configuration drew criticism and it was proposed in 1915 to place a third gun forward in lieu of the pair of 4-in guns originally situated there as:[6]

  • the 6-in guns had superior range and hitting power
  • the German 4.1-in gun on the opposing light cruisers was found to outrange the British 4-in QF Mark V guns
  • intelligence indicated that the next German light cruisers might move to 5.9-in guns and the older ships may also get larger weapons
  • it was desired to augment the firepower in closing actions

This resulted in the configuration, decided upon in June 1916 to effect the alteration (all completed by summer 1917) for 12 ships described as the "Calliope class", but by the number 12 almost certainly indicating Calliope, Cambrian and Caroline classes:[7]

  • Two tandem 4-in guns forward replaced by third 6-in gun.
  • one 4-in HA gun on an ad hoc "HA I" or "HA II" mounting to replace 3-pdr Vickers HA gun, with a second to appear when guns and proper HA III mountings became available.

The 6-in mountings were modified to a 20 degree elevation limit, increased from the original limit of 15 degrees, as the ships were refitted for director firing in late 1917-1918.[8][9]

In October 1916, Commodore, Harwich Force recommended removing all 4-in guns but the forward-most pair which would be converted to HA mountings. By removing five 4-in guns, a fourth 6-in gun could be mounted abaft the funnel. A variation on this was to be applied in 1918, though logistics slowed the work:[10]

  • all 4-in guns removed except the single HA mounting (presumably, HA III. There is no solid evidence that the second one was ever shipped)
  • Fourth 6-in gun on elevated CL platform abaft funnels (on P VII* mountings, as the P VII supplies were nil)

A final 1918 rearmament was to provide two 3-in HA guns in the positions where 4-in HA guns had previously been discussed. This plan was never was put into effect.

By the end of 1918, all the Carolines but Comus had four 6-in P VII 20 degree mountings and one 4-in HA gun. Comus had merely had her three 6-in mountings modified for 20 degree elevation, but was brought up to spec after the Armistice and prior to 1921.[11]

Torpedoes

Original:

  • Four 21-in tubes in two twin mountings (abreast?)

Later:

  • additional (twin?) tubes mounted abaft originals

More data on alterations in Conway's.

Fire Control

Rangefinders

Sometime during or after 1917, an additional 9-foot rangefinder being handed down from a battleship or battlecruiser (likely an F.T. 24) was to be added specifically to augment torpedo control.[12]

Evershed Bearing Indicators

The Centaur class were the first light cruisers fitted with Evershed gear for gun control, but it is not clear whether older light cruisers were ever fitted.[13]

Orders for Evershed installations for searchlight control from February 1917 first applied to the Danae class, but seem unlikely to have applied to earlier ships.[14]

Gunnery Control

Control Positions

Control Groups

Directors

All six ships were fitted with directors in 1917 and 1918.[15]

The director was on a pedestal mounting without a tower. Likely, there was no directing gun.[16]

The elevation limits of their weapons may have increased in late 1917 or early 1918, resulting in orders for adapting their director systems issued 13 November, 1917. It is not clear whether these alterations were for the entire class or just Caroline herself, or when they were effected.[17]

Transmitting Stations

Dreyer Table

Most of these ships had no fire control tables during the war, but by June 1918, Comus and Carysfort are listed as having Dreyer Turret Control Tables in their T.S.es, and by 1930 all but Caroline were so equipped (Cordelia had been scrapped in 1923).[18]

Fire Control Instruments

Torpedo Control

In 1916, it was decided that all light cruisers of Bristol class and later should have torpedo firing keys (Pattern 2333) fitted on the fore bridge, in parallel with those in the CT, and that a flexible voice pipe be fitted between these positions.[19]

See Also

Footnotes

  1. Technical History and Index Vol. 4, Part 36, p. 4.
  2. Technical History and Index Vol. 4, Part 36, p. 4.
  3. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1906-1921, p. 56.
  4. Technical History and Index indicates on page 4 that "12 ships of the "Cambrian" and "Calliope" Class" were so modified. That the Caroline ships are part of this total of 12 ships is made clear on page 7.
  5. Technical History and Index Vol. 4, Part 36, pp. 5-6.
  6. Technical History and Index Vol. 4, Part 36, pp. 4-5.
  7. Technical History and Index Vol. 4, Part 36, p. 5.
  8. Progress in Naval Gunnery, 1914-1918", p. 10.
  9. Technical History and Index Vol. 4, Part 36, p. 6.
  10. Technical History and Index Vol. 4, Part 36, pp. 5-7.
  11. Technical History and Index Vol. 4, Part 36, p. 7.
  12. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917, p. 199. (possibly pertinent: C.I.O. 481/17)
  13. The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships, 1919, p. 29.
  14. The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships, 1919, p. 29.
  15. The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships, 1919, pp. 11-12.
  16. Handbook of Captain F.C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables, 1918., p. 142 and plate opposite.
    I am inferring that the 2 light cruisers shown in the plate are meant to represent those with and without a tower.
  17. The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships, 1919, pp. 14.
  18. Handbook of Capt. F.C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables, p. 3, Pamphlet on the Turret Dreyer Table as fitted in the turrets of H.M. battleships and in the transmitting stations of certain cruisers, 1930, p. 4.
  19. Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1916, p. 146.

Bibliography

Template:CatClassUKLightCruiser

Template:Caroline Class (1914)