Diadem-class cruiser

Class overview
NameDiadem class
Operators
Preceded byPowerful class
Succeeded byCressy class
Built1896–1903
In commission1898–1925
Completed8
Retired8
General characteristics
TypeProtected cruiser
Displacement11,000 tons[1][2]
Length
  • 435 ft (132.6 m)
  • (462 ft 6 in (140.97 m) o/a)
Beam69 ft (21.0 m)
Draught
  • 25 ft 6 in (7.77 m)
  • 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)[2]
Propulsion
Speed
  • 20.25 knots (37.50 km/h; 23.30 mph)
  • (Ariadne, Spartiate, Amphitrite and Argonaut: 20.75 knots (38.43 km/h; 23.88 mph))
Range
  • 2,000 nmi (3,700 km; 2,300 mi) at 19 knots (35.2 km/h; 21.9 mph)
  • (bunker capacity 1900 tons)[1][3]
Complement677
Armament
Armour
  • Casemates and gun shields 4.5 in (110 mm)
  • Hoists 2 in (51 mm)
  • Deck 4–2.5 in (102–64 mm)
  • Conning tower 12 in (300 mm) fore
  • 6 in (150 mm) tube to fore conning tower
  • 2 in (51 mm) aft conning tower
  • Armour was Harvey Nickel steel, except for armoured deck.[1][2]

The Diadem-class cruiser was a class of "first class" protected cruiser built for the Royal Navy during the 1890s that served in the First World War. The class consisted of eight ships, built at a cost of around £600,000 each.

They were considered "good sea boats" but criticised for their lack of a heavy calibre main armament, bulky unprotected sides, average speed and lack of manoeuvrability despite being considered large ships when completed. They were the last British first class protected cruisers; the armoured cruiser taking the large cruiser role in future."[5]

  1. ^ a b c Conway's, 1860–1905
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Janes1900 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Brassey's (p.220-233) quotes a coal capacity of 1,000 tons.
  4. ^ Tony Di Giulian, British 6"/40 (15.2 cm) QF Marks I, II and III
  5. ^ Diadem class at worldwar1.co.uk


Cite error: There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=note}} template (see the help page).