British light cruiser HMS Neptune 1931-1941

Leander-class

Australian HMAS Hobart

Building ordered on 2 March 1931, laid down on the Navy Dockyard at Portsmouth, England on 24 September 1931, launched on 31 January 1933, commissioned on 23 February 1934 and sunk after hitting 4 mines in a minefield off Tripoli, Libya on 9 December 1941. Of her crew just one men was found back alive by the Italian torpedo boat Achille Papa.

Pennant 20. Of the Leander-class light cruisers consisting of the Leander, Orion, Neptune, Ajax, Achilles, Amphion, Apollo and Sydney). With the Leander and the Perth-Sydney-Hobart forming sub classes. Preceded by the Emerald class and succeeded by the Arethusa-class.

Displacement 7.270 (standard)-9.740 (full load) tons and as dimensions 169,1 x 17 x 5,8 metres or 554.9 x 56 x 19.1 feet. The 4 Parsons geared steam turbines and 6 Admiralty 3-drum oil-fired boilers supplied 72.000 shp allowing a speed of 32,5 knots and a with a speed of 13 knots a range of 5.730 nautical miles. Crew numbered 550 (peace)-680 (war). The original armament consisted of 4x2-16,2cm/6” Mk XXIII naval guns, 4x1-10,2cm/4” guns, 12-0.5 machineguns, 8-53,3cm/ 21” torpedo tubes. Fitted out with one plane. Originally a Fairey Seafox later replaced by a Supermarine Walrus. The armour consisted of a 6,4cm (end)-10,2cm/2.5”- 4” thick belt, a 6,4cm/2.5”, a 3,2-5,1cm/1.25-2” thick deck with the turrets protected by 2,5cm/1” thick armour.