Part of the C-class light cruisers Carlisle subclass consisting of the Cairo, Calcutta, Capetown (ex-Cawnpore) and Colombo. Preceded by the Arethusa-class and succeeded by the Danae-class. This subclass was ordered in June-July 1917 under the War Emergency Programme and differs from the preceding Ceres sub-class by lacking a conning tower and having a raised bow due to the added so-called trawler bow. Laid down by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Scotland on 8 December 1917, launched on 18 December 1918, commissioned on 18 June 1919, converted into an aircraft cruiser June 1942-March 1943 and sold to be broken up on 22 January 1948.
Tons burthen 4.359 tons and as dimensions 129,5 (between perpendiculars)-137,6 (over all) x 13,3 x 4,72metres or 425-451.6 x 43.6 x 15.6 feet. The 2 Brown-Curtiss geared turbines and 6 Yarrow boilers delivered 40.000 shp allowing with the 2 screws a speed of 29 knots. Fuel oil bunker capacity 300-930 (maximum) tons. Her crew numbered 330-350 men. The armour consisted of 1,5-2,25” (side bows)-2” (side stern)-3” (amidships), 1” upper deck amidships and 1” thick deck above the rudder. The armament consisted of 5x1-15,2cm/6” guns, 2-7,6cm 3” anti aircraft guns, 4x2-21” torpedo tubes. As an aircraft carrier 4x2-10,16cm/ 4” quick firing Mk XVI naval guns and 6-2cm Oerlikons.
