British light cruiser HMS Ajax 1932-1949

Leander-class

Australian HMAS Hobart

Building ordered on 1 October 1932, laid down at Vickers Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness, England on 7 February 1933, launched on 1 March 1934, commissioned on 12 April 1935, participated in the Battle of Rio de Plata against the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee on 13 December 1939, decommissioned in February 1948, a sale to India was cancelled by Winston Churchill, after temporarily being grounded arrived she at Cashmore’s, Newport, England to be broken up on 18 November 1949.

Pennant 22. 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 (since 1937 2x2), 12-0.5 Vickers machineguns, 8-53,3cm/ 21” torpedo tubes. In 1945 armed with 4x2-16,2cm 6” guns, 8-10,2cm/4” guns, 16-4cm Bofors guns and 2x4-53.3cm/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.