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 Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, England on 23 February 1917, launched on 28 June 1918, fitted out at the Pembroke Dock and commissioned in February 1922, sold on 5 April 1946 and her braking up at the shipyards of Ward, Preston, England started in June 1946.
Tons burthen 4.190 tons and as dimensions 137,6 x 13,4 x 4,3 metres or 451.4 x 43.9 x 14 feet. The Parsons geared turbines and Yarrow boilers delivered 40.000 shp allowing with the 2 screws a speed of 29 knots. Fuel oil bunker capacity 300-950 (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, 4-3pd guns, 2-2pd pom pom guns, 1 machinegun and 4x2-21” torpedo tubes. After 1939 4x2-10,16cm/ 4” quick firing Mk XVI naval guns and several 2cm Oerlikons.
