This class of light cruisers was also called "Colonies". It was assumed that the primary task of these ships would be to protect shipping at a great distance from the metropolis, in the colonies, of which Great Britain had many. And in the second place - action as part of a squadron or formation.
Today, looking back, it is safe to say that these ships were among the best representatives of the class of light cruisers. For many reasons, which we will now begin to iterate over.
Naturally, the ships owe their appearance to the London Agreement, which in 1936 limited the displacement to eight thousand tons. In principle, the British Admiralty was happy with all this, and therefore, having temporarily abandoned the construction of heavy cruisers, which the country already had, all efforts were concentrated on creating a new light cruiser. Such a ship was just very necessary, since at the end of the First World War, British losses from German raiders were very tangible.
Apparently, someone in the military department felt that it would only get worse in the future …
In general, the British designers were assigned to the project of a light cruiser with a displacement of 8,000 tons and with a main caliber of 152 mm. And here the most important question was “how much to hang in the barrels?”, Because the main caliber is still a very important thing on a light cruiser.
The project of the cruiser "Southampton" was taken as a basis, a lot was taken from it, but the new cruiser was supposed to be 1000 tons lighter. In general, "Southampton" was developed as a response to the Japanese "Mogami", so the new ship was designed with some eye to the Japanese, since they did not sign the contract, and they could build on the sly anything that came to their mind. The Japanese skills to build something epoch-making had to be taken seriously. To fit 15 155-mm guns in 10,000 tons was a lot, so I had to look around.
At first, the designers decided to install four-gun turrets on the new cruiser, but this would entail an increase in displacement by 500 tons. The idea was to install ten guns in four towers, like on the Pensacola, two three-gun turrets, two two-gun turrets. It was decided to take the anti-aircraft armament and the booking scheme from the Gloucester-class cruiser. But this decision also weighed the cruiser up to 8900 tons.
The next project consisted of three turrets with three guns each. By reducing the booking, the designers were able to fit everything into 8,000 tons, with only 1200 tons left for the armor.
Then the race began, as a result of which weight was saved bit by bit. We played with the thickness of the armor belt, the power plant, the thickness of the turret armor.
The result was a cruiser with a displacement of 8,500 tons with a speed of 32.5 knots and a power of 77,000 hp, armed with twelve 152-mm guns in three-gun turrets.
In general, as many as there were alterations and developments, so many, probably, were not with any class of British cruisers. Power installations changed, the number of auxiliary caliber guns, the number of catapults and aircraft changed. In total, 34 projects of this class of cruisers were proposed for consideration by the Admiralty Commission!
As a result, the naval leadership settled on a ship with twelve 152-mm guns with a total displacement of 8,360 tons. But 8,000 tons were needed. Therefore, in order to enter the limit of 8,000 tons, it was decided to reduce the thickness of the barbets and some bulkheads from 50 to 25 mm. The frontal armor of the turrets was also reduced from 89 to 51 mm.
The final design of the new cruiser with a displacement of 8,170 tons was submitted for approval in November 1937. In the series, it was planned to build nine ships. The construction of the first five cruisers was financed according to the budget of 1937-1938, the rest four a year later.
The first group of cruisers included Fiji, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria and Trinidad. Construction began at the end of 1937. The second group of cruisers consisted of the Ceylon, Jamaica, Gambia and Uganda began construction in March 1939.
During construction, the displacement of the cruisers is quite expected; it increased slightly. For little things, a more modern catapult, torpedo tubes, radar … Everything seems to be on the topic, but the Fiji, upon completion of construction, had a displacement of 8,631 tons instead of 8,250 tons according to plan.
But that was only the beginning. Time passed, the war continued, and therefore more and more various useful things appeared, which it was unrealistic to refuse. Therefore, for example, the cruiser "Uganda", which entered service in January 1942, already had a displacement of 8,846 tons, and even more when fully loaded - 10,167 tons.
On tests, "Fiji" showed a very good speed of 32, 25 knots with 80,000 hp, issued by the power plant.
A distinctive feature of the cruiser can be considered a superbly organized and comfortable command bridge. True, judging by the photographs, the cruiser could easily participate in the competition for the ugliest bridge. But this is the case when beauty is good and convenience is better.
By the way, about the amenities. British sailors cannot be blamed for being overly effeminate. These guys didn't need special conditions. But the Fiji-class cruisers were not very hospitable. The small size and overcrowding of the equipment made the living conditions not very comfortable. The decks were more than overcrowded.
The third main battery turret was not installed on the last three cruisers of the series. In its place, anti-aircraft weapons were additionally installed.
In fact, cruisers like Fiji or Colony were a more compact version of Southampton. Shorter and narrower, but not losing anything due to the fact that it turned out to be more compact to place all systems and equipment.
The standard displacement was 8,666 tons, the total displacement was 10,617 tons.
The total length of the hull is 169, 31 m, width - 18, 9 m, draft - 6, 04 m.
Reservation
The main booking was an armored belt 89 mm thick in the area of the artillery cellars, decreasing to 82.5 mm in the engine room.
The armored deck went over the armor belt, its thickness was 51 mm, above the tiller compartment - 38 mm.
The towers were armored 50 mm in the frontal part, 25 mm on the sides.
Power plant
The main power plant consisted of four Parsons turbo-gear units and four three-collector steam boilers of the Admiralty type. And, accordingly, four shafts with screws.
The maximum speed shown during tests under ideal conditions was 32.25 knots, measurements at sea showed a slightly lower speed, 30.3 knots.
The cruising range at 16 knots was 10,600 km. The circulation radius was 686 m at a speed of 14 knots.
The number of the crew in peacetime was 733 people, in wartime it increased to 920.
Armament
The main caliber consisted of 12 152 mm / 50 BL Mark XXIII guns. The guns were installed in three-gun towers in a linearly elevated manner, two in the bow and two at the stern.
The rate of fire of the guns is 6-8 rounds per minute, the muzzle velocity of the projectile is 841 m / s, the firing range at an elevation angle of the gun of 45 degrees is 23.2 km.
The auxiliary artillery of the Fiji-class cruisers consisted of eight 102-mm Mk XVI universal guns in four twin mounts.
The rate of fire of the universal guns was 15-20 rounds per minute, the muzzle velocity of the projectile was 811 m / s.
Firing range at surface targets - 18, 15 km;
The firing range at air targets is 11, 89 km.
Small-caliber anti-aircraft artillery consisted of two quad mounts of 40-mm machine guns "pom-pom" Mk VIII (QF.2 pdr)
The rate of fire is 115 rounds per minute, the initial speed of the projectile is 701 m / s, the firing range is from 3, 47 to 4, 57 km.
The cruisers' mine-torpedo armament consisted of two 533-mm three-tube torpedo tubes, one per side.
Aircraft armament
"Fiji" carried a catapult and from two ("Uganda", "Newfoundland", "Ceylon") to three (all other ships in the series) Supermarine "Walrus" reconnaissance aircraft.
The plane, let's say, did not shine with characteristics, but as a close reconnaissance spotter it could act quite normally.
The cruisers were equipped with radars without fail. These were complexes of the type 279, 281, 284, 285.
As soon as the war began and it became clear that the role of aviation was clearly underestimated, the cruisers began to receive anti-aircraft weapons in the process of modernization.
"Fiji" shortly before the death received two quad mounts of machine guns "Vickers" and a type 284 radar.
"Kenya" in terms of modernization was ahead of everyone. In 1941, it was equipped with two 20-mm automatic rifles from the "Oerlikon" and two radars, type 273 and 284. In 1942, instead of single "Erlikons", six paired 40-mm automatic "Bofors" were installed, and in 1943 two more were installed. paired installation of 20-mm "Erlikonov". In April 1945, the elevated aft turret was removed and instead of it two twin 40-mm Bofors installations were placed, and the pom-poms were replaced with twin Bofors. The Oerlikons were also replaced by Bofors. As a result, the cruiser's anti-aircraft armament consisted of 18 40-mm barrels (5 x 2 and 8 x 1).
"Mauritius" in 1942 received four single 20-mm "Erlikons" and radars of types 273, 284 and 285. In June 1943, the aircraft catapult was removed, and in its place were placed 20 (!) Single-barreled "Erlikons" and two quad mountings of machine guns MG.
"Nigeria" in 1941 received four 20-mm machine guns, in 1942 they added radars 273 and 284, two quad machine-gun mountings. In 1943, all anti-aircraft weapons were removed and eight twin 20-mm "Erlikonov" installations were installed instead.
"Trinidad" before its death managed to receive two single 20-mm machine guns.
"Gambia" in February 1942 had six single 20-mm machine guns. In 1943, aviation equipment, pom-pom guns and single 20-mm anti-aircraft guns were removed, and ten twin 20-mm Erlikons were put in their place.
"Jamaica" in 1943 received eight twin and four single "Oerlikons".
The Bermuda, the last of the type ships built, was commissioned with ten 20mm Oerlikons. In September 1943, six more such installations were installed on the cruiser. In the spring of 1944, aviation equipment and twelve single 20-mm assault rifles were replaced with 8 paired 20-mm installations. During a major overhaul in 1944-45, the cruiser lost its third turret and instead received three quadruple and four single Bofors 40mm installations.
In total, four ships parted with the third tower: Bermuda, Jamaica, Mauritius and Kenya.
Combat use
"Fiji".
The first to enter service, the first to leave. On August 1, 1940, he received a torpedo from a German submarine and stood up for repairs for a long time.
In the future, the cruiser took part in the search for German raiders in the Atlantic, then was transferred to the Mediterranean Sea, where it joined the A1 formation, which covered the convoys from attacks by Italian ships.
On May 22, 1941, the ships of the formation (cruisers Fiji and Gloucester, 4 destroyers) came under a massive attack from German aviation. The destroyer Greyhound was sunk, then Fiji received several hits. The cruiser was left without a move, and in the face of continued attacks by the Luftwaffe, "Fiji" was actually abandoned by other ships. The Gloucester was also sunk, and the crews picked up the remaining destroyers.
"Kenya"
He served in the Atlantic, patrolled and escorted convoys. When the Admiral Hipper smashed the WS5A convoy, he was gathering the convoy and assisting the damaged ships.
Together with the cruiser Aurora, he took part in the pursuit of the Bismarck. On June 3, the cruisers stumbled upon the German tanker Belchen (6367 brt), which was fueling the U-93 submarine. The tanker was sunk by artillery fire and torpedoes from the cruiser.
On October 1, 1940, "Kenya" together with the cruiser "Sheffield" intercepted German supply ships in the Atlantic. It was discovered by a seaplane from "Kenya", the transport "Kota Penang" was intercepted and sunk.
Kenya took part in escorting Arctic convoys. PQ-3 and QP-4, PQ-12 and QP-8, PQ-15 and QP-11. Delivered 10 tons of gold bullion from the USSR to Britain to pay for supplies.
The second half of the war, "Kenya" spent in the Pacific Ocean, participating in many operations of the British fleet and allies, the list is quite long, so the career of "Kenya" is worthy of separate consideration.
"Nigeria"
The beginning of military service took place in the Atlantic, where, together with various ships ("Repals", "Hood", "Nelson"), the cruiser was looking for German raiders.
In 1941 he was transferred to the North, where he participated in the sinking of the German meteorological ship "Lauenburg". Participant of raids on Spitsbergen and Bear. In September 1941, together with the cruiser Aurora, he sank the German ship Bremse. Member of convoys PQ-8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17 and return convoys QP-7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.
Then in 1943 he was transferred to the Mediterranean Sea in the region of Malta, where he received a torpedo hit from an Italian submarine.
The repairs continued until 1944, after which the cruiser went east, where until the end of the war she took part in various Allied operations.
"Mauritius"
From 1941 to 1944 he served first in the Eastern Fleet, then was transferred to the Mediterranean Sea. He took part in escorting convoys, intercepting enemy convoys, and providing cover for assault forces. He ended the war in the Pacific Ocean.
Trinidad
Received baptism of fire as part of the PQ-8 convoy and the return QP-6.
On March 23, 1942, the cruiser, together with the destroyers Eclipse and Fury, sailed as an escort for the PQ-13 convoy. On March 29, a battle took place with the German destroyers Z-24, Z-25 and Z-26, which intercepted the convoy and sank the transport "Bateau". In battle, "Trinidad" sank the destroyer Z-26.
During the battle, the cruiser was damaged: a faulty torpedo, by a fatal coincidence, released by the cruiser, described the circulation and hit the left side in the boiler room area. A fire broke out and the cruiser lost speed. But the minesweeper "Harrier", the destroyers "Oribi" and "Fury" took the cruiser in tow and brought it to Murmansk, where Soviet specialists took over the repair of the "Trinidad".
On May 13, the cruiser departed from Murmansk, accompanied by the destroyers Foresight, Forester, Matchless and Somali. The next day, a detachment of ships was subjected to massive attacks by German aircraft. "Trinidad" received 4 bombs in the bow, which not only destroyed the entire result of the repair, but also caused new fires. A day later, on May 15, it became clear that the crew was losing the battle for the ship. It was decided to leave the cruiser. The escort destroyers took over the crew, and they planted three torpedoes on board the Trinidad.
In general, the practice of the British in the North showed that they very calmly left the ships. Both Edinburgh and Trinidad were destroyed by the British long before the cruisers ran out of survivability.
"Gambia"
The service began in the Indian Ocean, the cruiser took part in the landing in Madagascar, then there was service in the Pacific Ocean. He covered landing operations on the islands, was transferred to New Zealand and became part of the New Zealand fleet. Represented New Zealand at the Japanese Navy surrender ceremony.
"Jamaica"
He began his combat service in the north, covering the landing on Svalbard. Then he was transferred to the Mediterranean Sea, where he participated in the landing operation in Oran. Took part in repelling attacks by destroyers of the French Vichy government, which were trying to counteract the operation. One Vichy destroyer (Epervier) was disabled.
Further, the cruiser was again transferred to the north, where she took part in the New Year's battle on December 31, 1942, when 2 light cruisers, 6 destroyers and a British minesweeper converged with 2 German heavy cruisers and 6 destroyers.
"Jamaica" was marked by hits on "Admiral Hipper" and was a co-author of the sinking of the destroyer "Z-16" "Friedrich Eckholdt".
A year later, on December 26, 1944, the Jamaica was among the ships that sank the Scharnhorst.
The cruiser met the end of the war in the Pacific Ocean.
"Bermuda"
He began his combat activities by covering the landing of allied forces in North Africa, then he was transferred to the north and covered the northern convoys. Participated in the escort of 8 northern convoys.
Project evaluation
Fiji turned out to be the most balanced light cruisers in the world. Lacking armor like the French ships of the La Galissonier class or the speed of the Italian Raimondo Montecuccoli, in fact, the Fiji have become very serious ships in terms of weapons and seaworthiness.
The long service life of the ships only confirms this. Newfoundland and Ceylon served in the Peruvian Navy until 1972. "Nigeria" served in the Indian Navy until 1985, having easily survived THREE (!!!) collisions with other ships.
Oddly enough, but the cruisers, which were built in conditions of restrictions and economy (as opposed to the more luxurious in all respects, but also more expensive "Belfast"), turned out to be very strong and efficient ships.
We can say that the British designers did an excellent job of creating a universal light cruiser.
Perhaps the only drawback of the Fiji-class cruisers was the very dense layout of everything. When the time came to strengthen the air defense, for the sake of this it was necessary to dismantle either one of the towers or aviation equipment. And as practice has shown, it is the additional "Eyes" in the form of a scout that is very necessary for such a ship.
Fiji is considered by many analysts to be the best light cruiser of the Second World War, and, I must say, not without reason. No outstanding qualities, but versatility and balance made this type of ship just that.
