NAVYPEDIA

Photo

St. James 1946

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Armada	R14, 1948- D14	658	Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn	12/1942	9.12.1943	7/1945	BU 11.1965
Barfleur	R80, 1948- D80	1691	Swan Hunter, Wallsend	10/1942	1.11.1943	9/1944	BU 6.1966
Cadiz	R09, 1948- D79	711	Fairfield, Govan	2/1944	16.9.1944	12/1946	to Pakistan 2.1957 (خیبر [Khaibar])
Camperdown	R32, 1948- D32	707	Fairfield, Govan	10/1942	8.2.1944	6/1945	BU 9.1970
Finisterre	R55, 1948- D55	708	Fairfield, Govan	12.1942	22.6.1944	9.1945	BU 6.1967
Gabbard	R47, 1948- D49	1705	Swan Hunter, Wallsend	5/1943	16.3.1945	4/1946	to Pakistan 1.1957 (بدر [Badr])
Gravelines	R24, 1948- D24	1127	Cammell Laird, Birkenhead	8.1943	30.11.1944	6.1946	BU 4.1961
Hogue	D74, R74, 1948- D74	1124	Cammell Laird, Birkenhead	1/1943	21.4.1944	7/1945	BU 3.1962
Lagos	R44, 1948- D44	1125	Cammell Laird, Birkenhead	4/1943	4.8.1944	11.1945	BU 6.1967
St. James	R65, 1948- D65	712	Fairfield, Govan	5.1943	7.6.1945	7/1946	BU 3.1961
St. Kitts	R18, 1948- D18	1695	Swan Hunter, Wallsend	9/1943	4.10.1944	4.1946	BU 2.1962
Saintes	R84, 1948- D84	660	Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn	6/1943	19.7.1944	9.1946	BU 9.1972
Sluys	R60, 1948- D60	1128	Cammell Laird, Birkenhead	11.1943	28.2.1945	9/1946	to Iran 1.1967 (آرتمیس [Artemiz])
Solebay	R70, 1948- D70	659	Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn	2/1943	22.2.1944	10/1945	BU 8.1967
Trafalgar	R77, 1948- D77	1693	Swan Hunter, Wallsend	2/1943	12.1.1944	7/1945	BU 7.1970
Vigo	R31, 1948- D231	713	Fairfield, Govan	9/1943	27.9.1945	12.1946	BU 12.1964

Technical data

Max speed, kts, kn	35.75
Displacement standard, t	2315 - 2325
Displacement full, t	3290 - 3300
Length, m	108.2 pp 115.5 oa
Breadth, m	12.3
Draught, m	4.62 deep load
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 sets Parsons geared steam turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers
Power, h. p.	50000
Fuel, t	oil 727, diesel oil 40
Endurance, nm(kts)	4400(20)
Armament	Armada, Barfleur, Camperdown: 2 x 2 - 114/45 QF Mk III, 1 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V, 4 x 2 - 40/56 Bofors Mk XI, 2 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk IV, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60 DC) Finisterre: 2 x 2 - 114/45 QF Mk III, 1 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V, 4 x 2 - 40/56 Bofors Mk XI, 2 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60 DC) Solebay, Trafalgar: 2 x 2 - 114/45 QF Mk III, 4 x 2 - 40/56 Bofors Mk XI, 1 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors Mk III, 2 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60 DC) Hogue, Lagos: 2 x 2 - 114/45 QF Mk III, 4 x 2 - 40/56 Bofors Mk XI, 1 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors Mk III, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk IV, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk IV, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60 DC) Cadiz, Gabbard, St. James, Vigo: 2 x 2 - 114/45 RP.50 Mk IV, 2 x 2 - 40/60 STAAG Mk II, 2 x 2 - 40/60 Mk IV Hazemeyer, 1 x 1 - 40/60 Mk VII, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Mk V, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Mk III, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60 DC) Gravelines, St. Kitts: 2 x 2 - 114/45 RP.50 Mk IV, 4 x 2 - 40/60 Mk IV Hazemeyer, 1 x 1 - 40/60 MK VII, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Mk V, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Mk III, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60 DC) Saintes: 2 x 2 - 114/45 RP.50 Mk IV, 2 x 2 - 40/60 Mk IV Hazemeyer, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Mk V, 1 x 1 - 40/60 Mk VII, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Mk III, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60 DC) Sluys: 2 x 2 - 114/45 RP.50 Mk IV, 2 x 2 - 40/60 STAAG Mk II, 2 x 2 - 40/60 Mk IV Hazemeyer, 6 x 1 - 40/60 Mk VII, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60 DC)
Electronic equipment	Armada, Barfleur, Camperdown, Finisterre, Solebay, Trafalgar, Saintes, Gravelines, Hogue, Lagos, St. Kitts, Solebay: type 275, 2x type 282, type 291, type 293 radars, type 144Q sonar Cadiz, Gabbard, St. James, Vigo, Sluys: 2x type 262, type 275, 2x type 282, type 291, type 293 radars, type 144Q sonar
Complement	247-308

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

The unique destroyer class created in the Britain in days of war taking into account its experience and taken symbolical part in operations. Works on the design of new destroyer of the 1942 Programme have begun in summer of previous year. For the first time in British practice DP guns in highly mechanized mounts and corresponding fire control system were provided. As a starting point for designing "L" class destroyers had been chosen, which dimensions have a little increased (basically a hull breadth) for arranging of heavier armament consisting of two twin 120mm DP turrets with 80° elevation angle, three twin 40mm Boforses with radar control, 6 single 20mm Oerlikons and two quadruple TTs. All main guns took places in a bow since experience of the first years of war has shown, that British destroyers seldom shoot aft. This decision later served as a reason to design criticism. It is necessary to mark, however, that "B" mount was installed freely enough, had circular rotation and "dead" aft sector was not so great, as it seems at first sight.

Transition to usage of a high-parameters steam (pressure of 50kgf/cm2, in comparison with 21 kgf/cm2 on previous classes, since "A") became the important innovation.

In March, 1942 the important decision to transition from 120mm to 114mm guns having the best ballistic characteristics and more heavy shell was accepted. The unitary cartridge developed for this gun has appeared too heavy for work with it on such small ships as destroyers. Therefore the gun (is more exact, its breech) has been re-designed to separate loading. Test of new artillery system has passed on destroyer Savage ("S" class). Simultaneously armament included 102mm/40 DP gun for star shells (instead of a traditional searchlight) and have increased to 4 number of twin Boforses. For raise of antiaircraft artillery efficiency it was supposed to equip the ships with stabilizers, but they have appeared only on Camperdown.

The order for the first 12 ships of new class was given out in April, 1942. Names for them there were the names of battles of British Army and Navy, as has given the general name of a series, "Battle". 4 more ships were ordered in August, 1942.

In 1944 design received last changes, concerning antiaircraft armament: additional single Boforses have appeared instead of Oerlikons, unsuccessful 102mm gun was replaced by 2 Boforses.

Modernizations

1/1946, Armada, Barfleur, Hogue, Camperdown: 2 x 2 - 114/45 RP.50 Mk IV, 1 x 1 - 102/45 HA Mk III, 4 x 2 - 40/60 Hazemeyer Mk IV, 2 x 1 - 40/39 Mk VIII, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Mk III, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60)

1/1946, Finisterre: 2 x 2 - 114/45 RP.50 Mk IV, 1 x 1 - 102/45 HA Mk III, 4 x 2 - 40/60 Hazemeyer Mk IV, 2 x 1 - 40/39 Mk VIII, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60)

1/1946, Solebay, Trafalgar: 2 x 2 - 114/45 RP.50 Mk IV, 4 x 2 - 40/60 Mk IV Hazemeyer, 1 x 1 - 40/60 Mk VII, 2 x 1 - 40/39 Mk VIII, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60 DC)

1/1946, Hogue, Lagos: 2 x 2 - 114/45 RP.50 Mk IV, 4 x 2 - 40/60 Mk IV Hazemeyer, 1 x 1 - 40/60 Mk VII, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Mk V, 2 x 1 - 20/70 MK III, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60 DC)

late 1940s, Saintes: - 2 x 2 - 20/70, 2 x 1 - 20/70; + 2 x 2 - 40/60 STAAG Mk II, 4 x 1 - 40/60 Mk III, 2x type 262 radars, 1 x 3 - 305 Squid Mk IV ASWRL, type 147B sonar

late 1940s, Armada, Barfleur, Camperdown: - 1 x 1 - 102/45, 2 x 2 - 40/60, 2 x 1 - 40/39, 2 x 1 - 20/70; + 2 x 2 - 40/60 STAAG Mk II, 4 x 1 - 40/60 Mk VII, 2x type 262 radars, 1 x 3 - 305 Squid Mk IV ASWRL, type 147B sonar

late 1940s, Finisterre: - 1 x 1 - 102/45, 2 x 2 - 40/60, 2 x 1 - 40/39; + 2 x 2 - 40/60 STAAG Mk II, 4 x 1 - 40/60 Mk VII, 2x type 262 radars, 1 x 3 - 305 Squid Mk IV ASWRL, type 147B sonar

late 1940s, Solebay, Trafalgar: - 2 x 2 - 40/60, 2 x 1 - 40/39; + 2 x 2 - 40/60 STAAG Mk II, 3 x 1 - 40/60 Mk VII, 2x type 262 radars, 1 x 3 - 305 Squid Mk IV ASWRL, type 147B sonar

late 1940s, Hogue, Lagos, Cadiz, Gabbard, St. James, Vigo, Gravelines, St. Kitts: - 2 x 2 - 40/60, 2 x 2 - 20/70, 2 x 1 - 20/70; + 2 x 2 - 40/60 STAAG Mk II, 3 x 1 - 40/60 Mk VII, 2x type 262 radars, 1 x 3 - 305 Squid Mk IV ASWRL, type 147B sonar

late 1940s, Sluys: + 1 x 3 - 305 Squid Mk IV ASWRL, type 147B sonar

early 1960s, Camperdown, Saintes, Cadiz, Gabbard: - 2 x 2 - 40/60 STAAG, 2x type 262 radars; + 2 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 5

Naval service

Hogue was badly damaged in collision with Indian cruiser Mysore in 1959 (fore part from "A" turret was broken off) and disarmed in 1961.

Many thanks to Borys Estrin for additional information on this page.