History | |
---|---|
United Kingdom | |
Name | Swiftsure |
Builder | Vickers Armstrong, Newcastle upon Tyne |
Laid down | 22 September 1941 |
Launched | 4 February 1943 |
Commissioned | 22 June 1944 |
Decommissioned | 1958 |
Identification | Pennant number: 08 |
Fate | Scrapped, 1962 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Minotaur-class light cruiser |
Displacement |
|
Length | 555.5 ft (169.3 m) |
Beam | 63 ft (19 m) |
Draught | 17.25 ft (5.26 m) |
Propulsion |
|
Speed | 31.5 kn (58.3 km/h; 36.2 mph) |
Range |
|
Complement | 867 |
Armament |
|
Armour |
HMS Swiftsure was one of three Minotaur-class light cruisers built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War. She was laid down by Vickers Armstrong at Newcastle upon Tyne on 22 September 1941, launched on 4 February 1943 by Lady Wake-Walker and commissioned on 22 June 1944. The first of a new Minotaur class, a development of the later Colony class with extra beam and a fifth twin 4 inch turret. Swiftsure was the last Royal Navy cruiser completed during World War II and was the first British cruiser designed around the concept of an operations room and modern radar, with sensor screens and communications positioned for efficient operation. During her service in the Pacific in 1945, she proved the most efficient anti-aircraft cruiser in the fleet[1] and was the first Royal Navy cruiser with the Type 274 lock-and-follow radar targeting system for her main armament.