HMS Swiftsure (08)

History
United Kingdom
NameSwiftsure
BuilderVickers Armstrong, Newcastle upon Tyne
Laid down22 September 1941
Launched4 February 1943
Commissioned22 June 1944
Decommissioned1958
IdentificationPennant number: 08
FateScrapped, 1962
General characteristics
Class and typeMinotaur-class light cruiser
Displacement
  • 8,800 tons standard
  • 11,130 tons full
Length555.5 ft (169.3 m)
Beam63 ft (19 m)
Draught17.25 ft (5.26 m)
Propulsion
  • Four Admiralty-type three drum boilers
  • Four shaft Parsons steam turbines
  • 72,500 shp (54,100 kW)
Speed31.5 kn (58.3 km/h; 36.2 mph)
Range
  • 2,000 nmi (3,700 km; 2,300 mi) at 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph)
  • 8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph); 1,850 tons fuel oil
Complement867
Armament
Armour
  • Belt 3.25–3.5 in (83–89 mm)
  • Deck 2 in (51 mm)
  • Turrets 1–2 in (25–51 mm)
  • Bulkheads 1.5–2 in (38–51 mm)

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.

  1. ^ Friedman 2013, p. 325, (note 46)