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fighting ships of the world

ROYAL NAVY - UNITED KINGDOM

CRUISERS

ABDIEL fast minelayers

Abdiel 1941

Manxman 1941

 

Displacement standard, t	2650 Apollo, Ariadne: 2810
Displacement full, t	3415 Apollo, Ariadne: 4100
Length, m	122.1 pp 127.4 oa
Breadth, m	12.2
Draught, m	4.65 deep load Apollo, Ariadne: 4.93 deep load
No of shafts	2
Machinery	Parsons geared steam turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers
Power, h. p.	72000
Max speed, kn	39.75
Fuel, t	oil 690 - 750 Apollo, Ariadne: oil 825
Endurance, nm(kts)	1000(38)
Armament	3 x 2 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI HA, 1 x 4 - 40/39 pompom, 2 x 4 - 12.7/62, 100 - 156 mines Apollo, Ariadne: 2 x 2 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI HA, 2 x 2 - 40/56 Bofors, 6 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 100 - 156 mines
Sensors	type 285, 286 radars Apollo: type 272, 282, 285, 291 radars Ariadne: type 276, 282, 285, 291 radars
Complement	242 - 246 Apollo, Ariadne: 257

Ship project history: Very successful ships which have become by fastest in Royal Navy in the Second World War (their speed at standard load exceeded 41kts). They were intended for offensive minelaying, therefore on them, as well as in a case with "Е" type cruisers, all has been sacrificed to speed — a case, in general, not typical for Royal Navy.

On early design stages it was supposed to arm ships by 120mm single-purpose guns, but subsequently considered, that record velocity will serve them as the best protection against the surface opponent. Instead of 120mm guns there were more light 102mm mounts that has allowed to moderate the upper weight some. Mine stowage of Abdiel class has appeared insufficient for its displacement, but it was the payment for high speed. First three ships were built under 1938 program, Welshman under 1939 program, two more (2nd groups), with a little changed armament structure and the increased fuel stowage under 1941 program.

Modernizations: 1941, Abdiel, Latona, Manxman, Welshman: + 4 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon

late 1941, Latona: + 2 x 1 - 40/39 pompom

1942, Abdiel, Manxman, Welshman: - 2 x 4 - 12.7/62; + (2 - 3) x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, type 282 radar

1943, Abdiel, Manxman, Welshman: - type 286 radar; + type 276, 291 radars

1944, Ariadne: + 1 x 2 - 40/56 Bofors

early 1945, Apollo: + 1 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon

1945, Manxman: - 2 x 1 - 20/70; + 4 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon (4 twin and 4 single at all)

7/1945, Ariadne: - 6 x 2 - 20/70; + 5 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors

7/1945, Apollo: - 7 x 2 - 20/70; + 6 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors

1955, Manxman: - 1 x 2 - 102/45

Naval service: Abdiel class minelayers have become famous in days of war on Mediterranean sea, and not so much by minefields, how by supply delivery to the besieged Tobruk and Malta: sometimes, except them submarines could break only. Here the invaluable advantage highest speed of the ships and their covered mine deck was brought, on the deck it was possible to transport several hundreds tons of cargo.

All losses have fallen to Mediterranean sea: Latona 25/10/1941 has received hit of one bomb from German Ju 87 bomber off Lybian coast, the fire called by it has led to explosion of carried ammunition and the ship was sunk. Welshman was sunk by a torpedo from German submarine U617 1/2/1943 near coast of Libya. Abdiel was lost 10/9/1943 off Taranto, having stricken by a mine. Manxman as damaged by a torpedo in 1941 and has failed more than for 2 years.

Manxman was converted to depot ship for 16 coastal minesweepers. Half of boilers was removed. Armament consisted of 1 twin and 4 single 40/60-mm Bofors guns. She served as TS from 1968.

Latona 1941

 

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© Ivan Gogin, 2008-09