HMS Diomede (D92)
HMS Diomede in 1938.
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History | |
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United Kingdom | |
Name | Diomede |
Ordered | March 1918 |
Builder | Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness |
Laid down | 3 June 1918 |
Launched | 29 April 1919 |
Commissioned | October 1922 |
Decommissioned | 5 April 1946 |
In service | 1922 |
Out of service | 1945 |
Identification | Pennant number D92 |
Motto | Fortibus Feroces Frangitur |
Fate | Sold for scrap 13 May 1946 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Danae-class cruiser |
Displacement | 4,850 tons |
Length | 471 ft 2 in (143.61 m) |
Beam | 46 ft 3 in (14.10 m) |
Draught | 14 ft 3 in (4.34 m) |
Propulsion | 2 Parsons geared turbines driving 2 shafts |
Speed | 29 knots (54 km/h) |
Range |
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Endurance | 24 days |
Capacity | 1,060 tons coal/oil |
Complement | 450 |
Electronic warfare & decoys | Type 273 Radar |
Armament | 6 × 6 in/45 BL Mark XII |
Armour |
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HMS Diomede was a
Background
During World War I intelligence reports suggested that the Germans were building a new class of cruiser which could outgun the existing C-class light cruisers. It was believed that an improved C class with an added super-firing 6-inch (152 mm) gun in front of the deckhouse (and the requisite increase of beam and adapting of superstructure) would maintain British naval superiority in a battle. In September 1916 the first three ships of the new class (Danae, Dauntless and Dragon) were launched and a second group (Delhi, Dunedin and Durban) was ordered in July 1917.
Diomede, was part of a third tranche ordered in March 1918. This group was to have comprised six vessels, but the end of the war saw this reduced to two, Diomede and
Early career
Upon commissioning Diomede joined the 5th Light Cruiser Squadron on the China Station in 1922. In 1925 she was transferred to the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy at Devonport where she served until 1935, apart from a refit in 1929–1930. In 1931 she rendered assistance to the town of Napier, New Zealand after the devastating Hawkes Bay earthquake, supplying medical personnel, equipment, guards and firemen, along with her sister ship Dunedin. Afterwards Diomede escorted the beach-damaged sloop Veronica to Auckland. The Executive officer at the time (1930-1933) was Commander, later Admiral Victor Crutchley, who was to later become entwined with the Pacific Campaign of World War II.
Upon the notification that the two cruisers of the New Zealand Division were to be replaced by Leander-class cruisers, in 1935 Diomede started her voyage home to Britain to be paid off into the reserve. En route the Abyssinian Crisis broke out and she was diverted to the 4th Light Cruiser Squadron, part of the East Indies Station based at Aden for possible action against the Italians. Upon relief by the cruiser Achilles on 31 March 1936 she was paid off and spent the next three years in the reserve fleet or as a troop ship.
World War II
With the growing likelihood of war, Diomede was reactivated. 3 September 1939 found her with the
In early 1942 Diomede joined the 9th Cruiser Squadron as part of the South Atlantic and West African Squadron. After more than a decade of steaming it was decided to retire her from front-line service and from 22 July 1942 to 24 September 1943 at Rosyth Dockyard she converted into a training ship. With the end of the war she was reduced to reserve. On 5 April 1946 she was sold for scrap to Arnott Young of Dalmuir and arrived there for breaking up on 5 May.
References
- Campbell, N.J.M. (1980). "Great Britain". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. New York: Mayflower Books. pp. 2–85. ISBN 0-8317-0303-2.
- ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
- ISBN 978-1-59114-078-8.
- Raven, Alan & Roberts, John (1980). British Cruisers of World War Two. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-922-7.
- ISBN 1-59114-119-2.
- ISBN 1-86019-874-0.