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{{short description|British/New Zealand Cruiser}}
{{other ships|HMS Royalist}}
{{other ships|HMS Royalist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
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{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Ship country=United Kingdom
|Ship country=United Kingdom
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|UK|naval}}
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
|Ship name=''Royalist''
|Ship class=[[Dido class cruiser|''Dido''-class]] [[light cruiser]]
|Ship name=HMS ''Royalist''
|Ship ordered=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship awarded=
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=[[Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]] ([[Greenock]], [[Scotland]])
|Ship builder=[[Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]], [[Greenock]]
|Ship laid down=21 March 1940
|Ship laid down=21 March 1940
|Ship launched=30 May 1942
|Ship launched=30 May 1942
|Ship christened=
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=10 September 1943
|Ship commissioned=10 September 1943
|Ship recommissioned=1967
|Ship recommissioned=1967
|Ship decommissioned=November 1967
|Ship decommissioned=November 1967
|Ship out of service=Loaned to the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] from 1956 to 1966
|Ship out of service= In reserve from 1946 to 1956
Loaned to the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] from 1956 to 1966
|Ship reclassified=In reserve from 1946 to 1956
|Ship identification=[[Pennant number]]: 89
|Ship identification=[[Pennant number]]: 89
|Ship fate=Scrapped, Sold to Nissho Co, Japan, in November 1967. Left Auckland under tow to Osaka on 31 December 1967
|Ship fate=Sold for [[ship breaking|scrap]], November 1967
|Ship homeport=
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=title
|Ship country=[[New Zealand|New Zealand]]
|Ship country=[[New Zealand|New Zealand]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|New Zealand|naval-1941}}
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|New Zealand|naval-1941}}
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}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Header caption=(as built)
|Ship class={{sclass|Dido|cruiser|0}} [[light cruiser]]
|Ship displacement=*5,950 tons standard
|Ship displacement=*5,950 tons standard
*7,200 tons full load
*7,200 tons full load
|Ship length=*{{convert|485|ft|m|abbr=on}} pp
|Ship length=*{{convert|485|ft|m|abbr=on}} pp
*{{convert|512|ft|m|abbr=on}} oa
*{{convert|512|ft|m|abbr=on}} oa
|Ship beam={{convert|50.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|50|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|14|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|14|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship power={{convert|62000|shp|MW|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship power={{convert|62000|shp|MW|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=*[[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] geared turbines
|Ship propulsion=*4 geared [[steam turbine]]s
*Four shafts
*Four shafts
*Four Admiralty 3-drum boilers
*Four Admiralty 3-drum boilers
|Ship speed={{convert|32.25|kn|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship speed={{convert|32.25|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range=*{{convert|2414|km|nmi mi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|30|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}
|Ship range=*{{convert|2414|km|nmi|abbr=on|order=flip}} at {{convert|30|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}
*{{convert|6824|km|nmi mi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|16|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}
*{{convert|6824|km|nmi|abbr=on|order=flip}} at {{convert|16|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}
*{{convert|1100|t|abbr=on}} fuel oil
|Ship endurance=
|Ship endurance=
|Ship boats=
|Ship boats=
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|Ship sensors=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship armament=
|Ship armament=
*8 × [[QF 5.25 inch gun|QF {{convert|5.25|inch|mm|adj=on}} guns]],
*''Original configuration'':
*8 × [[QF 5.25 inch gun|QF {{convert|5.25|inch|mm|adj=on}} dual guns]],
*6 × dual [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm Oerlikon AA guns]],
*6 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm gun|20 mm dual AA guns]],
*3 × quadruple [[QF 2-pounder naval gun|2-pounder (40 mm) "pom-pom"]],
*2 × triple [[British 21-inch torpedo|{{convert|21|inch|mm|adj=on}} torpedo tubes]]
*3 × [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|2-pounder (40 mm) pom-poms quad guns]],
|Ship armour=
*2 × [[British 21 inch torpedo|{{convert|21|inch|mm|adj=on}} triple torpedo tubes]]
*[[Belt armor|Belt]]: {{convert|3|in|abbr=on}},
|Ship armor=
*[[Deck (ship)|Deck]]: {{convert|1 |inch|abbr=on}},
*''Original configuration'':
*[[Magazine (artillery)#Naval magazines|Magazines]]: {{convert|2|in|abbr=on}}
*[[Belt armor|Belt]]: 3-inch,
*[[Bulkhead (partition)|Bulkheads]]: {{convert|1|in|abbr=on}}
*[[Deck (ship)|Deck]]: 1 inch,
*[[Magazine (artillery)|Magazine]]s: 2-inch,
*[[Bulkhead (partition)|Bulkhead]]s: 1 inch.
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
|}
|}


'''HMS ''Royalist''''' was a ''Bellona''-class (improved {{sclass|Dido|cruiser|0}}) [[light cruiser]] of the [[Royal Navy]] (RN) and [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] (RNZN) during the [[World War II|Second World War]] and early [[Cold War]].
'''HMS ''Royalist''''' was an improved [[Dido-class cruiser|''Dido''-class]] [[light cruiser]] – one of five ''Bellona''-class cruisers with greatly improved remote power driven, MK 2, RP10 DP 5.25-inch [[gun turret|turret]]s giving a much more effective capability against ship, land and air targets. Light anti-aircraft armament and fire control was also improved. The Bellonas and Royalist, carried 4 rather than 5 twin 5.25 turrets, but increased electronic and radar weight, and the fact aluminium, used to save turret weight in the original Dido, was no longer usable, made it essential to achieve higher fighting effectiveness with fewer turrets. Royalist was further modified after completion with extra facilities and crew for directing carrier aircraft operations. HMS Howe used US provided 275 HADCT for its 5.25 Mk 2 from 1944,and HMS Vanguard from 1946. The tremendous success of the RN fitted T275/Mk 37(1944 USN mod), made the smaller, Bellona's priority for development post war as smaller crewed cruiser destroyers and to replace the twin 4.5 AA, and 5.25 of fleet aircraft carries and battleships post war. The loss of these 16 gun 4.5 or 5.25 platforms from the post war RN was the driving force behind the Royalist postwar update and the Tiger class completion as AA cruisers.

After her commissioning in 1943, ''Royalist'' was modified with extra facilities and crew for operating as a flagship in [[aircraft carrier]] operations. Initially, she operated in the [[North Sea]] before transferring to the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] for the [[Operation Dragoon|invasion of southern France]]. ''Royalist'' remained in the [[Aegean Sea]] until the end of 1944 before sailing to the [[Far East]] in 1945 where the ship served until the end of the war.

''Royalist'' was then put into reserve until 1953, when the Navy decided to proceed with plans to refit the ship. The high cost of reconstruction and new governmental policy forced the RN to transfer the vessel to the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) in 1956. In return, New Zealand covered the reconstruction costs of ''Royalist''. After ten years of service with the RNZN, which included involvement in the [[Suez Crisis]] and the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation]], she was scrapped in 1967.


== Development ==
== Development ==
The [[Royal Navy]] (RN) intended in late 1943 to use the ''Bellona'' class as flagships for escort-carrier and cruiser groups for the projected [[D-Day]] and [[Operation Dragoon|South of France]] invasions and for operations with the [[United States Navy|USN]] and with the RN Fleet in the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]]. ''Royalist'' was a class of one from the start – being fitted out, within months of commissioning, with further modifications. These modifications gave it two extra rooms for additional communications (with carriers and with [[Fleet Air Arm]] aircraft) and one of the first implementations of an AIO (Action Information Office or Organisation) – an early [[Operations Room]] for plotting and display of the tactical position and associated mechanical computers to multiply the effectiveness of its armament. Intended to enhance the vessel's role as a command ship in Northern Atlantic waters for operations against the [[German battleship Tirpitz|''Tirpitz'']] and [[German battleship Scharnhorst|''Scharnhorst'']], the extra equipment took the ship to the limit, leaving minimal comfort and sleeping provision for Petty officers and Ratings.<ref name="roberts"/> The wartime development of radar and the requirement to equip ''Royalist'' as a flagship fitted with AIO increased the crew complement from 484 to 600, adding to the discomfort. {{HMS|Scylla|98|6}}, the other AIO-fitted ''Dido'', was fitted with more compact twin 4.5 turrets. <ref>G. Mason, [https://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-HMS_Royalist.htm HMS ''Royalist''] navalhistory.net</ref>Scylla and HMS Charybidis, fitted with 4.5 twin turrets used encased ammunition (the shell and charge in the same outer case for fast loading) were considered the only, true anti-aircraft variants of the class,<ref>R. Hughes. Through the Waters. A Gunnery Officer on HMS Scylla. W Kimber. London (1956)</ref> offering more space for flagship roles, with 4 lighter twin [[QF 4.5-inch Mk I – V naval gun|4.5-inch]] turrets, unique in modern RN cruisers, using encased ammunition of equal weight to a 5.25-inch shell, the maximum for manual loading. Postwar the RN rejected encased 4.5 ammunition as too heavy and reverted to separated loading in the Battle, Type 12 and HMS Ark Royal. The USN rejected hand loading, higher calibre,70lb shells for post war 5/54 guns although France used a mod, manual version twin 5/54USN in two De Grasse, AA Cruisers in 1955-58. The other 4.5-inch-armed ''Dido'', {{HMS|Charybdis|88|6}}, was intended as the second AIO flagship, its loss in France led to the conversion of HMS ''Royalist''.<ref>Brown, 1995, pp. 112–13</ref> The ''Dido'' and the ''Improved Dido'' (''Bellona''s) developed from the small ''Arethusa''-class (1936) scout light cruisers, built primarily as a surface fighting fleet and as Mediterranean and trade route cruisers – and originally designed, 5,500-ton light cruisers – not scaled-down versions of the RN/RAN Leander/Perth cruisers<ref>
D.K. Brown. History of the RN Constructors. Conway Maritime (1983) London
</ref> of the 1930s with the 5.25-inch gun replacing the Leander/ Arethusa, 60-degree, twin 6-inch guns with more modern turrets with 5.25 rifles, with secondary AA capability.


=== Design ===
[[Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]] of [[Greenock]] built ''Royalist'', with the keel being laid down on 21 March 1940. She was launched on 30 May 1942 and commissioned on 10 September 1943. Her motto, ''Surtout Loyal'', translates to "Loyal above all".<ref>naval-history.net</ref>
In 1943, the Royal Navy (RN) intended to use the [[Bellona class cruiser|''Bellona-''class]] as [[flagship]]s in escort carrier/cruiser groups during the [[Invasion of France (1940)|Invasions of France]] as well as during joint Royal Navy-[[United States Navy|US Navy]] operations in the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]]. Within months of her commissioning, ''Royalist''<nowiki/>'s design diverged from the rest of her class. She was fitted with two extra rooms that further enabled her to communicate with aircraft carriers and [[Fleet Air Arm]] aircraft. In addition, she was modified with the incorporation of one of the first implementations of an "Action Information Office" (AIO). The AIO was an early [[Control room|operations room]], in which computers and manual plotting allowed a force to be managed efficiently. The AIO allowed her to operate as a command ship in the northern Atlantic, primarily in hunting German warships {{ship|German battleship|Tirpitz||2}} and {{ship|German battleship|Scharnhorst||2}}. The specialized equipment pushed crew members to their limits, as only minimal space remained for sleeping and comfort.{{sfn|Raven|Roberts|1980|pp=294, 324}} Compared to her base design requiring a crew of 484, Royalist's compliment was 600, adding to the aforementioned problems of cramped conditions. All together, ''Royalist'' was designated as a 'Carrier Flagship' when she was mounted with [[radar]].<ref name="NavalHistRoy">{{harvnb|Mason| 2004}}</ref>
At the time the 5 Bellona class were commissioned in 7/43-1/44 for the RN had designed a follow on N2 class of 5.25 Mk 3 cruisers (fully auto 12rpm) in a redesigned Colony class size box hull, with additional space and range gained with a Bellona 62,00shp power output from more compact, turbines like the Daring destroyer power unit under design. This generally excellent design was rejected,only by the veto of the first sea lord and resulted in priority of the RN cruiser design going to 3 large stillborn new 6 inch cruiser projects, but during 1944-45 a modest 7000ton 3 twin Mk 3 5.25 cruiser was also designed <ref> N. Freidman. British Cruisers. Seaforth.(2010) Barnsley </ref> and in 1945 the USN was building 3 of the 3rd batch of Atlanta cruisers, 1 which USN Junea(2) was modernised in 1950-1 with new electronics for a 12- 5/38 and 14 3/50 AA guns and 4 1945/6 Atlanta and Junea class- USN Spokane type, mothballed in 1949 were considered for Fram 1 mod in 1959-61 <ref> N. Friedman. US Cruisers. USNI. Anapolis </ref> first retaining 2 twin 5/38 plus Asroc and Tartar and the final proposal 3 twin 5/38 and Asroc. A fouth batch of Atlantas with the new 5/54 manual used on MIdway and the De Grasse was very nearly ordered by the USN in 1945.

In 1947 Venezuela was offered a new Bellona class design derivative by Vickers with improved layout and design and the RN Emergency war cruiser design - was an elarged Bellona would either have a main armament of 3 twin 5.25 ( 4 twin 5.25 now clearly exceeded safe structual and seaway stablity on a Bellona hull <ref> M. Wright. Blue Water Kiwis. The NZ Naval Story. Reed (2001) Wellington,p 150 & 180 </ref> with modern electronics0 or 4 twin 5.25. The version of the design offered to the UK Cabinet in 1951 as an alternative to the Tiger or Minotaur was a broad beam Bellona with 4 twin 4.5 as the four 4.5 MK 6 seemed to offer superior AA capability to 3 twin Vanguard or N2 5.25 but the obvious speed and height show by the deubt of the Soviet Badger and Bison on 1/5/54 made the Mk 6 4.5 obsolete.
=== Construction ===
''Royalist'' was built by [[Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]] of [[Greenock]] who [[Keel laying|laid her keel]] on 21 March 1940. She was launched on 30 May 1942, and commissioned on 10 September 1943. She returned to the dockyard for alterations in November which were not complete until February 1944. Her French motto, ''Surtout Loyal'', translates to "Loyal above all".<ref name="NavalHistRoy" />


==Royal Navy career==
==Royal Navy career==
=== North Atlantic service ===
[[File:HMS Royalist spitfire.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Supermarine Seafire]] of [[807 Naval Air Squadron]] [[Fleet Air Arm]] flying above HMS ''Royalist'' during a training flight from the Royal Naval Air Station at [[HMS Grebe|Dekhelia]], near Alexandria, Egypt in February 1945]]
Following her commissioning, ''Royalist'' spent several months working up, during which time she underwent repairs for trial defects and for alterations and additions. Amongst these were modifications for service as a carrier flagship.<ref>Mason, naval-history.net</ref> In March 1944 ''Royalist'' joined the [[Home Fleet]] and served for a short period in the Arctic theatre. In this capacity she took part in [[Operation Tungsten]], the carrier raid against the [[German battleship Tirpitz|German battleship ''Tirpitz'']] whilst the ''Tirpitz'' was in [[Norway]]. ''Royalist'' was then ordered to the [[Mediterranean]] to support the landings in the south of France ([[Operation Dragoon]]) in August 1944, as part of the escort carrier squadron TF88.1. On 15 September, accompanied by {{HMS|Teazer|R23|6}}, she sank the transports ''KT4'' and ''KT26'' off Cape Spatha. She was then stationed in the [[Aegean Sea]] until late 1944, when she was ordered to the [[East Indies]]. By April 1945 she was with the [[21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron]] as Flagship, supporting the Rangoon landings ([[Operation Dracula]]), and the following month was part of a force that failed to join the [[Battle of the Malacca Strait]] where five Royal Navy destroyers intercepted the Japanese cruiser [[Japanese cruiser Haguro|Haguro]] and the destroyer [[Japanese destroyer Kamikaze (1922)|Kamikaze]] evacuating troops from [[Port Blair]] in the [[Andaman Islands]]. For the remainder of the war she covered the carrier raids against targets in the East Indies and [[Sumatra]].
Following her commissioning, ''Royalist'' spent several months working up, in which she underwent repairs for trial defects and for further alterations and additions. These included aforementioned modifications for service as a carrier flagship.<ref name="NavalHistRoy" /> In March 1944, ''Royalist'' joined the [[Home Fleet]] and served for a short period in [[Arctic naval operations of World War II|the Arctic theater]]. In this capacity, she was flagship of [[Operation Tungsten]], the carrier raid in April 1944 against the German battleship ''Tirpitz'' in a [[Norway|Norwegian]] fjord.


After Tungsten, ''Royalist'' escorted carriers for attacks on shipping off [[Norway]] before entering dock for a refit.<ref>Mason, 2011</ref> After completion of the work in June, ''Royalist'' was ordered to the [[Mediterranean]] to support the [[Operation Dragoon]] landings in the south of France in August 1944. ''Royalist'' was the flagship (Rear Admiral [[Thomas Hope Troubridge]]) of the RN/[[United States Navy|USN]] [[Task Force 88 (United States Navy)|Task Force 88]] that was tasked with maintaining [[Air supremacy|air superiority]] over the beaches and the support of landing operations.
Scottish author [[Alistair MacLean]] served on ''Royalist'' during the Second World War, and used his experiences as background for his acclaimed first novel ''[[HMS Ulysses (novel)|HMS Ulysses]]'' as well as for some of his subsequent works.


=== Mediterranean service ===
==Royal New Zealand Navy career==
Following the Dragoon landings, ''Royalist'' joined the [[Aegean Force]], tasked with preventing enemy evacuation from the islands in the [[Aegean Sea]]. On 15 September, Royalist and destroyer {{HMS|Teazer|R23|6}} sank transports ''KT4'' and ''KT26'' off [[Cape Spatha]]. She was stationed in the Aegean until late 1944 before a refit in early 1945 at [[Alexandria]]. After her stint in the Mediterranean, she was transferred to the [[East Indies]] and joined the [[East Indies Fleet]].[[File:HMS Royalist spitfire.jpg|thumb|''Royalist'' and a [[Supermarine Seafire]] off [[Alexandria]], 1945]]


By April 1945, she was flagship of the [[21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron]], supporting the [[Yangon|Rangoon]] landings of [[Operation Dracula]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
''Royalist'' was withdrawn from the East Indies after the conclusion of hostilities, and returned home to be mothballed and dehumidified in 1946. The reconstruction of ''Royalist'' from deep preservation, of a war emergency cruiser, was superior only in the advanced interim fire control fitted with 4-7yrs, to its sister, [[HMS Diadem]] following expensive and controversial rebuild. Effectively mothballed and totally sealed to US standards in 1951 <ref> C.J. Bartlett. The long retreat. British Defence Policy 1945-1970. MacMilland (1972) London, p 74 and Brassey Defence Yearbook-1952 ' kooncotting & dehumidfying warships'(1952) p 142-56 </ref>, Diadem was better preserved and wa offered to the RNZN as an alternative in 1955. In an 18-month refit, tropicalised, with new bridge, lattice mast, US/RN ECM/ESM and ADR similar to HMS ''Euralyus'' in 1954 and new close in AA, similar to{{HMS|Cleopatra|33|6}} of 14 140rpm Mk 5/7 Bofors, as ''Babur'' for Pakistan,<ref>A. Preston, British and Commonwealth Warships in R. Gardiner (ed) All the World's Fighting Ships, Pt 1. Conway Maritime. London (1983) p. 149, and J. Goldrick(RAN). No Easy Answer. The Development of the Navies of India, Pakistan and Bengal Desh. 1945-1996. Lancer (1997) Delhi, pp. 56–62</ref> and communications and ECM/ESM common to RN strike carriers. The substantial USN electronic warfare fit, similar to the fit on HMAS Yarra abd Parammatta in 1961 a the likely reason it survived the 1971 Indo Pakistan war. As with the transfer of Royalist to the RNZN, the transfer of Diadem to Pakistan was due to persuasion by the UK Government and CNS Mountbatten. However the Suez crisis and [[Duncan Sandys]]1957 Defence review, accelerated the phase out of RN cruisers, downgraded HMS ''Vanguard'' to a reserve HQ ship displacing, HMS ''Cleopatra'' and HMS ''Dido'', by October 1956,<ref> M. Wright. The Last Battleship. Intruder. Wellington (2018 </ref> and the last RN Bellonas's and Dido's were for disposal in 1957. Their scrapping was debated, in the post Sandy's HL/HC estimates debates. The ''Royalist'' and ''Diadem'' were complex warships, even as built in 1944, like modern 'hot' warships, which after refit and rewiring in 1956 could never really be turned off, for more updating, and had to be kept running with 200 men aboard even in short periods in reserve and refit, and therefore, difficult for small navies, the RNZN and RPN. In 3/1953 ''Royalist''had started a 3 year major reconstruction <ref> R. J. McDougal. NZ Naval Vessels.GP Books (1989) p 32 </ref> The "facelift' (new superstructure and electronics, but old engines) of ''Royalist'' was announced, to start, a large Dido/Bellona, update programme, briefly envisaged in a , December 1951, Korean War emergency estimates: too also involved updating HMNZS Bellona and HMNZ Black Prince {{HMS|Phoebe|43|6}}, {{HMS|Sirius|82|6}}, and comprehensive reconstructions with new engines and more comprehensive anti-nuclear washdown and insulation of HMS ''Diadem'' (in June 1955), and finally, HMS ''Cleopatra'' (in November 1955).<ref>Friedman, 2010, p. 284</ref> However the new PM, Churchill, favored the RAF and the 1952 Navy estimates was reduced.<ref>A. Seldon. Churchill's Indian Summer. The Conservative Government 1951-55. Hodder & Stoughton,(1981) London, pp314-20</ref> HMS ''Phoebe'', deteriorated when Malta's RN dock proved too short to fit new drive shafts after colliding with HMS ''Gambia'' in October 1950.<ref>A. Preston in All the World's Fighting Ships. Pt 1. Conway (1983), p 149 and W. Arkile & J. Handler. 'Ship Collisions 1945-1988'. Neptune Paper No 3. Greenpeace (1989) NY, p. 18</ref> HMS ''Cleopatra'' received an austerity refit with 3 twin and 8 single RN Bofors in place of 3 USN Quad Bofors. Cleopatra can be seen in the 1953 film ''[[Sailor of the King]]'', which stars ''Cleopatra'', and like HMS ''Euralyus'' had a compact ADR rather than AIO<ref>Raven & Roberts, p. 294/</ref> fitted in 1945
and gave useful post-war in the Mediterranean and South Atlantic. A radical defence review in June 1953, involved draconian naval cuts, but Royalists modernisation, continued under a revised defence white paper in Feb 1954, which restored the RN programme and plans, to complete the Hermes and Tiger's, but rejected starting furthur Dido/ Bellona conversions as pure gunships, they lacked the 'dual war and peace, cold war capabilities' required for the RN, they offered little as public facilities or gin palaces <ref> A. Seldon. Churchill's Indian Summer. The Conservative Government 1951-55, p315 & .T.Benbow.The RN & Sea Power British Strategy 1945-55. Inst Historical Research. University of London (2018) </ref> And Royalist was then suspended and reviewed in the Feb 1955 UK Defence White Paper which decided on a scaled down cruiser programme of extended refit for colonial service rather than [[NATO]], in line with reliance on strategic deterrence, the last Battleship was for reserve, and the new USN fire control ordered, from the USN with UK Treasury financing in $US currency for the Vanguard 8/5.25, new US T275/Mk 37M and 8 Mk 62 channels (which the USN used for US cruisers 3/50 AA guns), which could have been fitted to HMS ''Diadem'' and HMS ''Cleopatra'', intended to start modernisation in 1955 <ref> N.Friedman. British Cruisers WW2 & After, p 210 </ref> but instead, was fitted in extended refit for colonial duties on HMS Bermuda and HMS Gambia <ref> E. Grove. A Short History of the RN. Palgrave. Basingstoke (2005) p 225-9 </ref>. When the NZ Government agreed to buy ''Royalist'', in March 1955, it is unclear, if stopped,the refit was substantially complete and useful to mothball.
NZ Prime Minister Sid Holland decided to accept to purchase a reconditioned 'Royalist; cruiser for 4 million pounds in 3/1955 after a 7 week visit to the US and UK where he met VP Richard Nixon, John Foster Dulles and UK PM Churchill who stressed the new strategic reality of hydrogen bombs, the threat from China and the fact he Russian Army would be unstoppable in Europe unless thermonuclear weapons were used. Holland told the NZ Parliament than he was mainly influenced by the advice of UK Minister of Defence Harold MacMillan,<ref> NZPD 24/3/1955. Hansard, p 21 </ref> who stressed the need to refocus NZ defence on the Pacific and shorter lines of communication to the SE Asian <ref> Holland. NZPD 24/3/1955, p12-21 </ref> rather than Middle East theatre. British First Sea Lord and Admiralty Minister stressed the immediate availability of 'Royalist' and that while an order 2/3 anti submarine frigates would probably proceed, if they proved suitable <ref> T.A McDonald, NZ Minister of Defence. NZPD. 27-4-1955, p 575 & 579 </ref>, the type was untested and unproven, and the RN did not view either the anti submarine or anti aircraft frigates being produced in 1955, suitable for NZ and it was desirable to wait for new types of frigates, suitable for NZ conditions with more gunpower and a/s capability, T12M or T81 or T42(1955) with 3 single 4/62<ref> T.A.McDonald. NZ MOD. NZPD 27/4/55. Hansard, p575 & 579 </ref> and the fact the Churchill government, distinct from the RN, no longer believed convoy escort possible and did not prioritise it.<ref> A. Seldon. Churchills Indian Summer </ref>


From 10 May, ''Royalist'' joined a group of carriers during [[Operation Mitre]], which searched for Japanese warships evacuating [[Nicobar Islands|Nicobar]] and the [[Andaman Islands]]. For the remainder of the war, she supported carrier raids against targets in the [[East Indies]] and [[Sumatra]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
The cost of ''Royalist''{{'}}s reconstruction reached £4.5 million.<ref>C. Pugsley. Confrontation. OUP p. 46</ref> The cost of two new 2500-ton frigates. A minority of RNZN opinion, including Cpt Phipps, saw it as a policy reversal stopping the RNZN maintaining a 6 frigate fleet, good training conditions and commonality with the RN. The ''Royalist'', with massive RN/USN assistance, however returned 9.5 years, almost continuous service, fortuateously,the Royal Navy, after Suez in 1956, with an "uncertain, role and future,", transferred the bulk of the fleet to the Indian and Pacific oceans, from 1957 to 1967 where prior to 1955 there was only a token presence, a couple of cruisers and destroyers. Therefore ''Royalist'' could be deployed, effectively in 1957, with the RN carrier fleet. A complex specialised, gunship, with a incomprehensible role, demanding RN officers, zero provision for non-officer comfort and separating 2/5th of the seagoing men of a small Navy from family, for 12–15 months deployment. The ship was handed over to the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] (RNZN) on 9 July 1956. When Captain [[Peter Phipps]] went to take command of ''Royalist'' in 1955, New Zealand diplomat [[Frank Corner]] showed his own view, when he noted that Phipps agreed that the ship was a [[white elephant]], unsuitable for use in the Pacific. The RNZN had, however, operated the ''Bellona'' and ''Black Prince'' since 1946, of the same ''Dido'' class when they transferred from the British Pacific fleet, where they provided AW/AD for the RNs aircraft carriers, as part of NZ Defence contribution in 1946–54.<ref>Pugsley (2003), p. 422, note 41</ref> Phipps claimed the cruiser's range was limited and it could not even reach [[Panama]] without refueling. However, Captain Phipps also stated when the cruiser reached Auckland, that it was updated, as a most modern warship, with the capability to take "three targets simultaneously, and shoot down air targets with reasonable frequency often on the first salvo"<ref>NZ Weekly News, 26 December 1956,' Royalist home for Christmas'. Wilson & Hooton. Auckland (1956), p. 31</ref> while the [[Whitby-class frigate|Type 12 frigate]]s approved by Phipps had less endurance, it would have been more logical to order longer-range diesel versions of the Type 12, i.e. the [[Leopard-class frigate|Type 41]] or Type 61, with a 340&nbsp;ft, hull and two Mk 6 4.5 turrets, the RN Type 12 Whitby had only one turret. The RN diesel electric T41/61 original radar and fire control fit was similar to Royalist and HMNZS Otago <ref>G.M.Stephen. British Warship Design since 1906. Ian Allen. London (1985) p 76-84 & D. Brown & G. Moore. 'Rebuilding the Royal Navy since 1945'. Seaforth (2013) p74</ref> except the frigates had AC electrics and radar variants. The British diesel electric frigates (T41/61) were far ahead of their time <ref>Interview with RNZN Officers (Chatham House) Otago Foreign Policy School, Dunedin NZ 1985</ref> and successful in the service of sub continent navies after being withdrawn by the RN, as the complex, Daring Destroyers, redesigned by the RAN and Vospers worked better post 1970. The diesel variant of the Type 12, the T11 A/S frigate (never designed or built) was ideal for the RNZN in the view of Cold War RNZN Cold War Captains and XOs.<ref>R. Miles. T Herald articles, frigate force, HMS Canterbury, Wellington 7/1983-2/1986- source, interviews RNZN officers, Cmdr I. Bradley and R. Martin</ref> The improved Type 12 {{sclass-|Leander|frigate}}s ordered by the RNZN essentially were also essentially picket ships for RN aircraft carriers.<ref>Lt Cmdr Dick Ryan. Radio NZ interview 5.45pm 10/1981 re-purchase RNZN of HMS ''Bachantee''</ref>


Scottish author [[Alistair MacLean]] served on ''Royalist'' during the war, and used his experiences as background for his acclaimed first novel [[HMS Ulysses (novel)|''HMS Ulysses'']] (1955) as well as for some of his subsequent works.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
The New Zealand Navy Board, of which three members were RN officers, unsurprisingly, argued the RN view that the RNZN needed a cruiser in the South Pacific and to support the RAN/RN. The cruiser was still a RN cruiser on loan rather than New Zealand's; this reflected the fact the UK did not regard it as an independent force cf the RAN and RCN. Phipps demanded some improvements,<ref>RY257/182 9 April 1956</ref> while in command of {{HMS|Bellona|63|6}} as an accommodation ship, and refused to accept the cruiser until three weeks later than intended by the RN Dockyard until alterations were made to the habitability of the cruiser. These notably included more showers, and some rectification of ventilation problems.


==Post war reconstruction==
Time was not available to install the pre-wetting, [[CBRN defense|ABC]] spraydown equipment, specifically requested by the RNZN in 1955.<ref>Royalist Proceeding 1956–65. NZ National Archives. Wellington. NZ</ref> The ''Royalist'' needed to immediately work up for possible action in the Mediterranean. The dockyard noted that installing spraydown to wash nuclear fallout was possible, providing a wall-size copy of the plan of the pre-wetting system under installation in {{HMS|Sheffield|C24|6}}, and suggested the New Zealand dockyard could do the job. After modernisation, in 1957, ''Sheffield'' operated for only 15 months with the fleet, maintained as a static HQ ship capable of GFS, it had space, comfort, and elaborate staterooms. ''Royalist'' like the other Dido cruisers had a margin, allowing only the 47 officers, a standard cabin. ''Royalist'' offered speed and extra communications systems and an AIO (Action Information Office) fitted late 1943. The ''Dido'' cruiser, HMS ''Scylla'', was also fitted with AIO as Admiral Vian, RN D-Day command ship, severely damaged, 18 days after D day, it never recommissioned, scheduled for post war for reconstruction, with two twin Mk 6 Twin 3/ 70 mounts and 992 radar, defence cuts, in 1947 saw it scrapped in 1950<ref>N. Friedman. British Cruisers. WW2 & After (2012) & British Destroyers and Frigates (2006) pp. 163–67</ref> AIO fitted cruisers usually late Colony and Minotaurs<ref name=roberts>Raven & Roberts, 1980, pp. 294, 324</ref> doubled the effectiveness of armament in RN postwar assessment,<ref>Raven & Lenton, 1973 {{page needed|date=May 2018}}</ref> but less space for senior ratings and petty office, than RNZN's earlier ''Dido'' cruisers.


''Royalist'' was withdrawn from the East Indies after the end of the war and returned home to be mothballed and [[Dehumidifier|dehumidified]] in 1946.
The concern of New Zealand Naval servicemen and Phipps was on living conditions, recruitment, and an affordable schedule of new frigates. New Zealand [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (New Zealand)|Department of External Affairs]] viewed the British Treasury as simply getting rid of an obsolescent cruiser and getting New Zealand to pay for the refit and other RN warships ''"Then Whitehall thought of New Zealand!"''<ref>McGibbon, 1999, p. 186</ref><ref>Templeton, 1994, p. 124</ref> However, as with ''Bellona'' and ''Black Prince'' in 1946, transferring ''Royalist'' was a logical supplement to Australian defence by the backdoor.By 1955 the RAN had only light 4.5-inch gun Battle and Daring destroyers (building) and the light anti-submarine carriers, HMAS ''Melbourne'' and Sydney, with obsolete Sea Venom fighters just for Melbourne, the ''Royalist'' provided the only escort for ''Melbourne'' and ''Sydney'' and its surface 82&nbsp;lb shells some deterrence to ''Sverdlov'' or raiders than light RAN 4.5 battle guns and HMS ''Newfoundland'' (1950–52) and HMS ''Tiger'' were, with the ''Royalist'', the only effective cruiser reconstructions. Royalist, alone had all, turrets manned. Centreline 5.25 DP guns good in AA and GFS role with modern two-channel fire control and in the later 1950s the best British cruisers for radar processing and communications with the RN/ RAN Fleet air arm <ref>Raven & Roberts. British Cruisers of World War Two. Arms & Armour (1980)pp. 364–365</ref> with Australian PM Robert Menzies, dubious that RN policy in the age of nuclear deterrence, was simply, "minor fleet to the Far East in peacetime only", and no real counter to piecemeal communist erosion in SE Asia.<ref>K. Hack. Defence and Decolonisation in SE Asia, Curzon Press.(2001) Surrey, p 148; C. J Bartlett. The Long Retreat, A Short History of British Defence Policy 1945-1970 : Def 5/52, COS (54)136. The Redeployment of the Far East Fleet in War 24/4/1954</ref> The Radical UK Defence Review released 10 July1953 in the wake of the new hydrogen bomb which lessened the likelihood of a lengthy broken backed war, cut the cruiser modernisation programme, and the enormous cost and difficulty of both medium-range missile and AA gun development for both the UK and US meant Britain had decided to concentrate exclusively on Seaslug missiles and abandon new AA gun development and redevelopment of the 5.25-inch and new 5-inch guns in 1955.<ref>G. Moore. Postwar Cruiser Design for the RN 1946-1956 in Warship 2006. Conway Maritime (London) 2006, pp. 51–55</ref> [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma|First Lord Mountbatten]] disagreed, publicly defending ''Royalist'' as the most modern British cruiser in Auckland when it arrived in 1956<ref>RNZ. Yesterdays. Sat Evening. NZ Sound Archives</ref> and regarded Phipps as inexperienced and unsuitable.<ref>McGibbon, 1999 {{page needed|date=February 2016}}</ref> Mountbatten viewed New Zealand's Cabinet and officials as out of touch with the [[Cold War]] need to maintain ready, broad-based naval and defense capabilities and frequently visited New Zealand to make appeals.<ref>Mountbatten, 1979 {{page needed|date=May 2018}}</ref>


Concerned about the growth and threat of the [[Soviet Navy]], the [[Admiralty Board (United Kingdom)|Admiralty board]] ordered a modernization of four ''Dido''-class cruisers in 1950.{{efn|the other three were {{HMS|Diadem|84|6}}, {{HMS|Sirius|82|2}} and {{HMS|Cleopatra|33|2}} }}<ref>ADM 116/5632. p 124-9 & 175-93, Friedman 2010 p 284, Walters, 2019 p.233</ref><ref name=":0" /> ''Royalist'' was planned to be the first of four to six ''Dido''/''Bellona''-class cruisers to be modernized under the program, with work planned to start in January 1953.<ref>{{harvnb|Friedman|2010| p= 284}}</ref> The ships were chosen as they were modern, economical, and could be easily modified with new radars and [[Fire-control system|fire control systems]].<ref>M. Wright. ''Blue Water Kiwis. NZ Naval Story'' (2001) Reed. Auckland, p146-8.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Friedman |first=N |title=British Battleships 1906-1946 |date=2015 |publisher=Seaforth |location=Barnsley |pages=338–9}}</ref>{{failed verification|These (pp. 338–339) pages of Friedman's ''British Battleships'' says nothing about modernising cruisers|date=May 2024}} The importance of the refits increased when other attempts to do the same to [[Fiji-class cruiser|''Colony'']] and [[Minotaur-class cruiser (1943)|''Swiftsure''-class]] cruisers were canceled.<ref>{{harvnb |Walters|2019|pp= 231–3}}</ref>
''Royalist'' had identical fire control and radars fitted to frigates being commissioned in 1956–58, in doubled up form, in a cruiser-size hull with room for processing electronic data and communications and large enough for speed and seakeeping in the Pacific and considerable surface and anti-air defense. In some ways it was faster and more powerful in the air and surface role than HMAS ''Melbourne'', was slow, underpowered, primarily an anti submarine carrier, its Sea Venom fighters were used to develop Sea Vixen radar and had little speed or weapon capacity. Melbourne like most WW2 RN legacy hulls completed later than 1954, eg, HMCS ''Bonaventure'', HMS ''Ark Royal'' and HMS ''Lion'' had deteriorated too much for sustained fast operation. HMS ''Royalist''{{'}}s close-in air defense of 40&nbsp;mm STAAG 2 CIWS were initially sharper than other RN warships, and used standard RN 40&nbsp;mm ammunition, but after a few years were a complicated, maintenance nightmare.<ref>G. M. Stephens. British Warship Design. Ian Allen. London (1986) p. 84</ref> withdrawn from other British warships by 1961. The 3 STAAG gun systems with automatic each weighed 17 tons each,<ref>P. Hodges & N. Freidman. British Destroyer Weapons Conway Maritime. London (1979) pp. 97–8.</ref>. Britain could not afford escorts larger than destroyers in addition to its carrier and frigate force but the 5.25-inch DP guns, fitted to ''Vanguard'', ''Diadem'' and the Gibraltar base as well as ''Royalist'', were accurate unlike the old, twin 4-inch on all other 1950s RN cruisers. ''Royalist'' modernization for AA/AW and particularly AD support of RN carrier fighters and strike aircraft was ideal for [[Operation Musketeer (1956)|Musketeer]] and likely future operations of the RN carriers focused on the Indian Ocean and [[Singapore]]. The looming Suez crisis forced the RN to reactivate three unmodernised reserve cruisers – poor ships compared with ''Royalist'' – HMS ''Glasgow'', HMS ''Jamaica'' and HMS ''Superb'' in late 1955. The Type 12 frigates that Phipps wanted were ordered for the RNZN early in 1957, but proved more short-ranged, and with a single manual 4.5-inch twin-gun turret and Limbo mortar were of little value against jet fighter bombers or Soviet nuclear or double-hulled Foxtrot or Juliet submarines, intended for distant patrol. ''Royalist'' could escort convoys across the whole distance at a speed of {{convert|19|kn}}, compared with the Type 12's ability to make the long leg from [[Suva]] to [[Honolulu]] at 10/15. It was arguably the traditional cruiser role in trade defense against Russian cruisers and raiders was still relevant,<ref>{{Cite journal|first=Alex|last=Clarke|title=Sverdlov Class Cruisers and the Royal Navy Response|journal=GlobalMaritimeHistory.com|date=12 May 2014|url=https://globalmaritimehistory.com/sverdlov_class_rn_response/|accessdate=3 November 2015}}</ref> and would be the Royal Navy's first priority, along with providing effective air warning and aircraft direction for the RAN aircraft carriers,<ref>Pugsley, 2003, pp. 46, 422 (note 41)</ref> rather than defending against the questionable submarine threat.


The modernization required the construction of a new [[superstructure]] and the addition of a fire control system, with the work planned to only extend the cruiser's lifespan by 6 years. In March 1953, reconstruction of ''Royalist'' began.<ref name=":0">{{cite book |first=R. J. |last=McDougal |title=NZ Naval Vessels |publisher=GP Books |date=1989 |page=32}}</ref>
[[File:View from the bridge of HMNZS Royalist at Devonport Naval Base, 1956.jpg|thumb|left|HMNZS ''Royalist'' at the [[Devonport Naval Base]], 1956]]


Following the Conservative victory in the [[1951 United Kingdom general election|general election of 1951]], attitude towards the RN changed. Newly re-elected [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Winston Churchill]] supported the [[Royal Air Force|Royal Airforce]] at the cost of the navy, and its budget was cut in 1952.<ref>Seldon, 1981. pp 314–20</ref> The shift in policy undermined naval expansions by the outgoing [[Attlee ministry|Attlee government]], and the Navy was forced to cancel upgrades of many ships.<ref>{{citation |first1=Peter |last1=Hodges |first2= Norman |last2=Friedman |title= Destroyer Weapons of World War 2 |publisher=Conway |location=London |orig-date=1979 |date=2003 | pages= 101–03}}</ref><ref>{{citation |first=P |last=Marland |title=Post War Fire Control in the RN |work= Warship 2014 |publisher=Conway |location=London |date=2014 | page= 14}}</ref> Under these financial cuts, plans to refurbish ''Royalist'' and her sister ships were postponed by three years. In 1954, a review of the Royal Navy found that the cruiser conversions lacked "dual war and peace, [and] cold war capabilities required" for the Navy, and the program was further deprioritized.<ref>Seldon, 1981, p. 315</ref><ref>T. Benbow. ''The RN & Sea Power British Strategy 1945-55''. Inst Historical Research. University of London (2018)</ref>
After refitting, ''Royalist'' was re-equipped with new equipment for her role as an AA and AD escort ship for carriers, retaining 5.25-inch, as more powerful high level AA and surface weapons rather than the usual 4-inch (or 4.5-inch) guns. However RN and British Defence documents released under the 30-year rule, show the refit was to prepare it for all-out hot wars and high-level gun engagement of shadowers,<ref>E. Grove. RN since 1815. MacMillan(2006) London, p. 225.</ref> Other than for ''Royalist'' and ''Diadem'', this modernisation was cancelled in 1953, on cost, twice that of a two-year Colony-class extended refit <ref>Grove. 2006, p. 225</ref> and a Radical Defence review and RAF assessments that the ''Sverdlov'' threat and capability was exaggerated, as was the Russian air threat and likely bomber numbers in the 1955–58 period, the RAF est 300 Badger jet bombers in 1956, the actual number was 500. The delay in the cruiser programme, meant most of the cruisers were now, 12 + age and the cost of structural modernisation doubled and reduced the programme to exteded refits for Crown Colony-class cruisers for colonial visits and shore bombardment. Go ahead for Royalists update and a ten year life extension of the Colony cruiser Ceylon was approved in.1953<ref>E. Grove.2006, p. 225</ref> HMS ''Royalist was planned to run with HMS ''Vanguard'' in the Mediterranean. Royalist favoured as a fast, 33k deepwater cruiser, and a good steamer, given the lack of precision in British yards, tools and workers, some ships, of a class, were always better. The Royalist, east of Suez, the ship and four turrets fully manned, thou was a cramped, hard driven proposition compared with a Colony and Town cruisers, which usually only had one 6 inch turret manned and muniitoned.


== Transfer to Royal New Zealand Navy ==
In transferring ''Royalist'' to New Zealand, the Royal Navy assumed the RNZN as an extension of the RN and the junior New Zealand service and government following British command. Around 25% of the officers on ''Royalist'' were RN officers on loan or exchange, as were many of the specialist ratings. The RNZN officers on the cruiser were usually of junior experience and had lengthy training with the RN in the UK. Even on the cruiser's final deployment in 1965 on Confrontation patrols in southeast Asia, many RN and RAN officers occupied higher-ranking officer positions on board.<ref>Pugsley, 2003, p. 38</ref>
In 1955, the RN was looking to offload the half-renovated and obsolete ''Royalist''. The offer was accepted by [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|New Zealand Prime Minister]] [[Sid Holland]], who offered that his nation would pay for the rest of her reconstruction.<ref>McIntosh papers, A36 folder, letter 5/7/1956, NZ London HC diplomat Frank Corner letter to NZ Foreign Affairs, CE McIntosh in {{cite book |last=Tempelton |first=Malcolm |title=Ties of Blood and Empire: New Zealand's Involvement in Middle East Defence and the Suez Crisis |date=1994 |publisher=AUP |location=Auckland |pages=124, p253, footnote 8/(5)}}</ref>


''Royalist''<nowiki/>'s transfer occurred when the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] (RNZN) was at a crossroads about its future. Internal factions within the RNZN and New Zealand government disagreed regarding the roles and [[doctrine]] of its Navy, with many unsure how a [[Atomic Age|nuclear-era]] force should function and the importance of [[Anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine]] frigates.<ref>{{citation |title=New Zealand Parliamentary Debates |date=24 March 1955 |pages=21–22 |publisher=Hansard}}</ref><ref>Holland. New Zealand Parliamentary Debates 24 March 1955, pp. 12-21</ref> ''Royalist''<nowiki/>'s refurbishment cost of £4.5 million indicated the position of the Navy, as the RNZN chose to refurbish the cruiser rather than build two [[frigate]]s with the same funds.<ref>Pugsley. 2003 p. 46</ref><ref>Pugsley 2003, p. 422, note 41</ref>
After working up in UK waters, ''Royalist'' was operational with the British fleet in the Mediterranean as the fleet awaited the possibility of action against Egyptian air force during the [[Suez crisis]]. ''Royalist'' was intended to be mainly a radar picket and aircraft direction ship for the RAF [[English Electric Canberra|Canberra]] and RN carrier-based [[Hawker Sea Hawk|Seahawk]] and [[de Havilland Sea Venom|Sea Venom]] aircraft. ''Royalist'' had the standard RN long-range air warning Type 960 radar carried by other British cruisers and carriers in the area, but ''Royalist'' was somewhat better equipped for aircraft direction than its other counterparts in the area. After hostilities with Egypt commenced, the resulting international outrage caused Prime Minister [[Sidney Holland]] to reverse his support for the British by calling for Captain Peter Phipps to withdraw from operations against Egypt. At that point the only other immediately available replacement, cruiser was, HMS ''Jamaica'', a surface fighting unit without modern AA systems or Royalist's, equipment to process air-warning radar data and 'multiple communication channels' with fleet air arm aircraft. HMNZS ''Royalist'' continued for an indeterminate time as the primary coastal AD ship for the RN/RAF, for possibly 24hrs, till [[HMS Ceylon|HMS ''Ceylon'']] transferred from GFS duty, off Port Said and the risk from Egypt's jet Meteors, Migs and Badger bombers was suppressed. After about a day, HMNZS ''Royalist'' also withdrew from a scheduled bombardment mission in support of a RN destroyer squadron, moved further offshore, away from the main body of the RN fleet (changing identity to the undefined, RNZN cruiser ''Black Swan'' according to some British published accounts) continuing to assist the RN fleet, in its primary passive soft AW/AD/C3 role.<ref name=kyle>Kyle, 1991, pp. 394–395</ref> Holland officially ordered a withdrawal from operations, but had allowed the cruiser to stay with the Operation Musketeer fleet, as, "there was insufficient time for a decision not to withdraw", an apparent non-decision.<ref name=kyle/> Much of the Soviet-supplied [[Tupolev Tu-16]] and MiGs of the [[Egyptian Air Force]] remained a threat to the RN fleet, making the presence of ''Royalist'' crucial to fleet defence.<ref>Templeton, 1994, pp. 138–139; & phone interviews, mid 1990s, NZ with Royalist Radar crews (56–65)</ref> The reality of the pro Musketter, sentiments of the intensively worked up RNZN/RN crew (told against other options) in which most of the key officer and senior ratting positions were other than Phipps were, RN officers and many of the RNZN officers also essentially, professional RN career officers on the return voyage to New Zealand via South Africa Captain Phipps told the crew they deserved the recognition given to RN personnel for their involvement in the incident.<ref name="Pugsley, 2003">Pugsley, 2003</ref> In the 2000s the New Zealand Labour Government and the RNZN awarded these personnel battle honours for war service in the Mediterranean. The cruiser's log for the crucial days of the Suez War was destroyed at the time, meaning the full account of her Suez service will never be known.


Those in favor of a new cruiser believed a ship like ''Royalist'' would be able to serve an [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] role in supporting allied operations in the Pacific, alongside the RN and [[Royal Australian Navy]].<ref name="Dennerly122">P. Dennerly. ''First to the Flag. Biography of Vice Admiral Peter Phipps in Maritime Dimensions in the Asian Pacific Region''. RNZN Museum. 2004. Auckland, pp. 122-3</ref><ref name=":1">RY257/182 9 April 1956</ref> ''Royalist'' was faster, more armed, and had better range then the [[Whitby-class frigate|''Whitby''-class frigates]] proposed to be bought instead. Furthermore, concern about Soviet cruisers raiding shipping in the [[Pacific Ocean|South Pacific]] gave her the edge over the primarily [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] ships.<ref>{{Citation |last=Clarke |first=Alex |title=Sverdlov Class Cruisers and the Royal Navy Response |date=12 May 2014 |website=GlobalMaritimeHistory.com |url=https://globalmaritimehistory.com/sverdlov_class_rn_response/ |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref>
In early 1957, ''Royalist'' was involved in exercises with the Australian aircraft carrier [[HMAS Melbourne (R21)|HMAS ''Melbourne'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-melbourne-ii|title=HMAS ''Melbourne'' (II)|access-date=15 September 2008|publisher=Sea Power Centre|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212202838/http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-melbourne-ii|archive-date=12 December 2013|df=}}</ref> The cruiser made two shore bombardment missions in 1957–1958 during the [[Malayan Emergency]] against suspected terrorist areas in SE Johore, firing about 240 5.25 rounds.<ref>Pugsley. 2003, p. 50</ref> In AA exercises with the British [[Eastern Fleet|Far East Fleet]] in 1956–57, ''Royalist'' outperformed the RN Town-class cruisers, shooting down five jet [[Gloster Meteor|Meteor]] unmanned targets and many towed targets immediately on opening fire.<ref>Pugsley, 2003, p. 49</ref>


New Zealand only covered her reconstruction costs, and did not out-right buy the ship. This was due to the RN only 'loaning' the vessel, as the RNZN was not seen as being an independent force within the [[British Empire]]. When her modifications were complete, New Zealand refused to accept the vessel, stating that the poor World War II-era sleeping arrangements and lack of [[CBRN defense|ABC]] equipment were unsatisfactory. This soured relations between the two navies, as the RN did not appreciate perceived refusal from a subordinate.<ref name="Dennerly122" /><ref name=":1" />
In 1962, the still joint-crewed RNZN/RAN/RN ''Royalist'' suffered serious damage proceeding at high speed in rough sea conditions through the Tasman to get to a six test series between the [[Wallabies (rugby union)|Wallabies]] and [[All Blacks]] at [[Eden Park]].{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} The cruiser operated with the British Far East Fleet, in three tours of duty in 1963, 1964 & 1965, during the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation|Indonesian Confrontation]] the crews being belatedly awarded [[Naval General Service Medal (1915)|General Service Medal]]s for the 1963–64 tours and Operational Service Medals for active service in combat zones in 1956, 1957–1958 and 1965, finally recognised by the New Zealand government in 2000. From mid-1963, reports by the captain of ''Royalist'' note that one of the two Mk 6/275 HALADCTs are often unserviceable, as is often one or two STAAGs (its is inexplicable in 1960–61 why the STAAGs were not replaced with standard RN Mk 5 twin Bofors, simple, effective short-range AA system which weighed 6.5 tons compared with the 17-ton STAAG.<ref>P. Hodges & N. Freidman. Destroyer Weapons of WW2. Conway Maritime. London (1979)pp. 96–102</ref> Australia's ''Daring''-class destroyers carried a simple version of the MK 5 to the end RAN career and the AC version of ''Royalist''{{'}}s single 40&nbsp;mm guns on the bridge flank returned to the UK with Blackpool in 1971, were more useful than Seacat in the Falklands War) were, while the ship's hull and lower structure is marginal, requiring constant work and frequent painting, requiring an extra Asian workforce due to the construction of the cruiser out of "low quality wartime steel", and the ship's below-[[Deck (ship)|deck]] humidity and constant temperature at a minimum of {{convert|85|F|C|0}}. The ship's modernisation provided only for a lifespan of six years, so these conditions were expected. Effective modernisation of the ship after acquisition from the Royal Navy only amounted to several ECM/ESM updates.


The ship was handed over to the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] on 9 July 1956 following the completion of the work. Controversy over her purchase (and governmental stance) persisted, with the ship being viewed as either a [[white elephant]] or the most modern and capable vessel of the RNZN.<ref>{{citation |title=Royalist home for Christmas |date=26 December 1956 |work=NZ Weekly News |page=31 |location=Auckland |publisher=Wilson & Hooton}}</ref>
By May 1964 the Indonesian Confrontation had escalated with Indonesian forces conducting cross-border raids in Kalmintan and landings in Borneo. The British Minister of Defence Peter Thornycroft and CDS Mountbatten requested the RN use in carriers and major units to conduct provocative passages,<ref>D. Easter. ''Britain and the Confrontation with Indonesia, 1960-66''. Taurus.NY. London (2012)</ref> to encourage revolt against Sukarno and his Generals. After rest and recreation in Singapore the Captain's briefing from the Commander of RN Far East Strategic Forces, the ''Royalist'' took on 580 tons of fuel oil on 14 July 1964 and the following morning from 8.15 to 11.15 took ammunition on from lighters<ref>Log HMNZS Royalist 14/07/1964. NZ Nat Archives. Wellington</ref> alongside. It left Singapore in the afternoon ''Royalist'', returning to Auckland from Singapore via the Cairns races in Queensland, transited the Carmat Straits on 15 July, Sapud on 16 July, at ABC state Yankee, at 2130 raised to condition X Ray at 2230 (10,30pm)<ref>Log HMNZS Royalist 16/7/1964</ref> as it was in the Java Sea between Jakarta and SW Kalimatan and then ran along the coast of Java thru the night to arrive off Bail at sunrise about 6.00am and thru the Lombok Strait on 17 July 1964<ref>NCB 083-PL 70R 18762 RLA 8-7-64</ref> on what was described as 'routine passage' in the highly confidential flash to Canberra. The two transits of the straights made the task group led by HMS ''Victorious'', a month apart that followed were both also described as 'routine passage only the second was even notified with a note from the British embassy, RN attache to the Indonesian Navy, which was a concession the track would be through Lombok not Djakarta and the major Indonesian military bases. During the transit of the straights, the guns were fully manned with the crews closed up; if the cruiser had been buzzed by Indonesia MiGs or patrol craft, the captain was instructed to take "precautionary measures" and not train or elevate the guns or test fire them again during the deployment, a "diplomatic artifact" given a scenario of undetectable possible threat of surprise long-range air-launched Kangaroo cruise missile attack from Indonesia Badger bombers<ref>Log of HMS Royalist. 1964. NZ National Archives and ret Rear Admiral Hunter (notes) re 1964 Potential OP service Award NZMDF 2006 report</ref> and full ABC protection at X Ray state 9<ref>Log of HMS Royalist 1964</ref> as was the task force led by {{HMS|Victorious|R38|6}} on 19 September 1964, two C Destroyers, [[guided missile destroyer]] {{HMS|Hampshire|D06|6}}, (which replaced {{HMS|Lion|C34|6}}) and a/s frigates {{HMS|Dido|F104|6}} and {{HMS|Berwick|F115|6}}. The ''Victorious'' assertion of the right of innocent passage by a carrier which mounted [[Blackburn Buccaneer]] and [[de Havilland Sea Vixen]] aircraft painted in grey anti flash, and believed to be nuclear-armed was viewed as one of the most dangerous moments of the Cold War,<ref>Roberts, 2009, p. 51</ref> with mass panic in Java, but proved a brave and effective move, in asserting rights for naval passage and Malaysian independence.


As part of the [[Kiwi (nickname)|Kiwi]] half of her refurbishment, ''Royalist'' was fitted with a new radar, fire control system, and three 'STAAG 2' 40 millimeter anti-air guns.<ref>G. M. Stephens. ''British Warship Design''. Ian Allan. London (1986) p. 84</ref>
There was considerable doubt among RNZN staff whether ''Royalist'', which had not had a major refit since 1956, could deploy again in 1965. It managed to deploy again after a seven-week, 24/7 refit in the Devonport dockyard and work up in the [[Hauraki Gulf]], where it managed {{convert|27|kn}} at half power. The cruiser was still visually impressive, and provided the crucial appearance of capability and ability to operate. It was judged the fire control systems needed either a year's refit or $140,000 of new parts,<ref>Reports and Returns. Mod Pre & Post refit trials ;(1) 1955–64 & (2) 1965 Rc 72/1/10,</ref> and one of two STAAG CIWS mounts was refitted with the rather worn spare, after rust removal, the two UA3 ESM systems were playing up.<ref>Reports & Returns, Mod & Refit.1965. 72/1/10,</ref> It was hoped the worn steam turbines could last 15 months to allow a final 1966 visit to all the New Zealand ports if "hope prevailed over fear".


==Royal New Zealand Navy career==
Against most RNZN staff advice it was decided not to inform the Commander of the British Far East Fleet, of the situation as "Commander Far East has enough trouble fitting ''Royalist'' in his operational plans now with limitations on his main capability in the Confrontation War."<ref>Reports & Returns. Mod & Refit. 1955-64 & 65. 72/1/10</ref> The Royal Navy was desperately overstretched during the confrontation, and keeping one carrier fully operational in the theatre at all times was difficult.<ref>Twiss & Bailey, 1996</ref> Deterring Jakarta with the threat of potential aerial nuclear strike meant keeping only one of the high-maintenance ''Tiger''-class cruisers, intended for the role, with the Far East Fleet; HMS ''Lion'' was withdrawn after a boiler explosion on anti-infiltration patrol, and {{HMS|Blake|C99|6}} was put into reserve from December 1963 due to crew shortages in the RN. HMS ''Royalist'' was still perceived as useful and needed in Plymouth and Singapore, even if it could not run at the 25 knots plus speed a carrier group needed to launch Vixens and Scimitar as an escort for amphibious carriers like HMS ''Albion'' and HMS ''Bulwark'' and it was decided ''Royalist'' would proceed to [[Pearl Harbor]] for a second workup, rather than a longer refit in the Devonport dockyard, before deploying to [[Hong Kong]] and Singapore in support of RN forces. ''Royalist'' conducted anti-infiltration patrols, boarding boats, deployed shore patrols, participated in Exercise Guardrail as the simulated "enemy Sverdlov cruiser"<ref>C. Pugsley. Emergency to Confrontation. OUP. Melbourne, p. 245</ref> and provided extra men, potential heavy GFS and AD support for {{HMS|Bulwark|R08|6}}{{'}}s on a vulnerable deployment, transferring a new helicopter squadron to Borneo.<ref>HMNZS Royalist 1965 Log & C. Pugsley. Emergency to Confrontation. notes 121 &122. HMS Royalist Proceedings 1965. RNZN Museum, Devonport, Auckland</ref> For the 1965 Far East tour, the crew were awarded [[New Zealand Operational Service Medal|Operational Service Medal]]s (OPSM). This reflects the general build up in tension with Indonesia, the probable use of weapons by landing parties, the higher grade of main munition preparation and the political support for the mission, but the earlier deployments of ''Royalist'' when its system were more effective were much more important in the tactical and even strategic sense.
[[File:HMNZS Royalist in Waitemata Harbour, 1956.jpg|thumb|HMNZS ''Royalist'' during the [[Suez Crisis]]]]


=== Suez Crisis ===
The 1965 deployment was somewhat marred by the refusal of the New Zealand Ministry of External Affairs or the New Zealand and British ambassadors to allow ''Royalist'' to dock with Royal Navy warships in the Tokyo or Yokohama area.<ref>Reports & Returns. HMNZS Royalist. R 72/1/10 1965. NZ National Archives, Wgtn, NZ(Open access))</ref> According to the Royal Navy attache in Tokyo, the RNZN sailors "could not afford the one pound per minute price in the Ginza nightclubs and bars."<ref>Reports & Return. HMNZS Royalist. 1965. NZ National Archives. R 72/1/10 Wgtn, NZ.</ref> The captain of ''Royalist'', J.P. Vallant replied to the Deputy Secretary of Defence in Wellington, "find it quaint that the flagship of the New Zealand navy is persona non grata in the Tokyo Bay area."<ref>Cpt. J. P. Vallant. HMNZS Royalist. Reports & Returns. 1965. 72/1/10.</ref> ''Royalist'' was confined to the Japanese provincial ports when New Zealand diplomats persuaded the local police chiefs that their request for a curfew was unwise and it was essential to keep bars open 24 hours.<ref>Reports & Returns. HMNZS Royalist. 1965. R 72/1/10</ref> After further shore leave in [[Bangkok]], Singapore, and [[Subic Bay]], ''Royalist'' returned to New Zealand, after a valiant repair of a milking boiler and turbine en route. It was unable to make its final scheduled 1966 visit for [[Waitangi Day]] and tour of the New Zealand ports, and was effectively paid off five months early.
{{Main article|Suez Crisis}}

After working up in British waters, ''Royalist'' was assigned to the [[Mediterranean Fleet|British fleet in the Mediterranean]]. In August 1956, New Zealand Prime Minister [[Sidney Holland]] was persuaded by British Prime Minister [[Anthony Eden]] to keep her in the Mediterranean as a deterrent to [[Egypt]]ian or [[Israel]]i aggression.<ref>PRO:CAB 134//216.E(56) 12/8/56</ref><ref name="Pearson">{{cite book |last=Pearson |first=J |title=Antony Eden and the Suez Crisis. Reluctant Gamble |date=2005 |publisher=Palgrave MacMillan |pages=49–56}}</ref><ref>AP 20/25/7 PMPT T331/56/ no353 Eden to Holland 4 Aug 1956</ref> Despite not operating her, the RN wanted to keep the cruiser on station due to her anti-air capabilities and the threat of hostile aircraft. Following diplomatic negotiations between the two respective governments, the [[Cabinet of New Zealand|New Zealand Cabinet]] agreed not to recall the cruiser under the condition that she did not participate in combat.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

Following [[Suez Crisis|British attacks on Egypt]] as part of [[Operation Musketeer (1956)]], [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] support for the operations faltered. New Zealand soon became concerned about harming its [[New Zealand–United Kingdom relations|relations with the UK]] by not supporting the plan and harming its relations with other global powers if it did.<ref>P. Lyons. "The old Commonwealth. The first four Dominions" in M. Howard & R. Louis. ''The Oxford History of the 20c'', OUP (1998) Oxford, p300</ref><ref name="kyle">{{harvnb|Kyle|1991|pages=394–395}}</ref> Following several days of posturing in [[Auckland]], Holland decided to order ''Royalist'' to withdraw from operations.<ref name="BG70">{{cite book |last=Gustafson |first=Barry |author-link=Barry Gustafson |title=The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party |publisher=Reed Methuen |year=1986 |isbn=0-474-00177-6 |location=Auckland |page=70}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Gustafson |title=History of the NZ National Party |date=1998 |location=Wellington |page=70}}</ref>

As New Zealand figured out the nation's stance on the crisis, the cruiser operated with the RN fleet as an [[Anti-aircraft warfare|air defense]] [[radar picket]], rescue ship for downed pilots, and as a method to coordinate British aircraft on bombing runs.<ref>{{harvnb|Hobbs|2015|pp=173–4 & 187}}</ref><ref name="kyle" /> Later on during the crisis, the New Zealand Cabinet met again to discuss ''Royalist''. Due to the cruiser forming an important part of the RN's anti-air defense in the area, and not wanting to harm relations further, the cabinet "decided not to decide" on her presence within the RN fleet. As such, she remained with the Royal Navy fleet yet did not participate further in Operation Musketeer.<ref name="kyle" />

=== Pacific service ===
[[File:View from the bridge of HMNZS Royalist at Devonport Naval Base, 1956.jpg|thumb|right|HMNZS ''Royalist'' at [[Devonport Naval Base]], 1956]]''Royalist'' continued to operate with allied navies in the 1950s, and her anti-air capabilities were proven when she outperformed RN cruisers during exercises.<ref>Pugsley, 2003, p. 49</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=HMAS ''Melbourne'' (II) |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-melbourne-ii |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212202838/http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-melbourne-ii |archive-date=12 December 2013 |access-date=15 September 2008 |publisher=Sea Power Centre}}</ref> As part of New Zealand involvement in the [[Malayan Emergency]], she was used to repeatedly shell the [[Malayan National Liberation Army|MNLA]] in [[Johor]]e.<ref>Pugsley. 2003, p. 50</ref>

By 1960, the cruiser was expected to serve another 2 and a half years, and the Navy began searching for a replacement. At the time, the RN was short of loanable cruisers, so the frigate [[HMS Blackpool (F77)|HMS ''Blackpool'' (F77'')'']] was transferred to cover the decommissioning of both ''Royalist'' and the recently sunk [[HMAS Voyager (D04)|HMAS ''Voyager'']].<ref>HMAS Duchess. Australian Seapower History. RAN. Retrieved 6-5-2020. Canberra.</ref><ref>D. Fairfax. "Frigates" & G. McLean "RNZN History" in I. McGibbon. ''Companion to NZ Military History''. OUP.(2000) Auckland, pp. 186-7 & 467</ref>

In 1962, while sailing in rough weather in the [[Tasman Sea]], the cruiser's [[keel]] twisted out of alignment. It was found that her captain ran the ship at excess speed into a [[head sea]] in an attempt to make it back to land to watch a [[Rugby union|Rugby]] match between the [[Australia national rugby union team|Wallabies]] and [[All Blacks]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Bradley |first=I. |title=Don't Rock the Boat |date=2004 |location=Auckland |pages=122–3}}</ref>

Between 1963 and 1965, she operated with the British [[Far East Fleet (United Kingdom)|Far East Fleet]] during the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation|Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation]]. She joined British vessels in making provocative passages between [[Indonesia]]n Islands in an attempt to deter Indonesian attacks on [[Malaysia]]. During these deployments, her age began to show, as captains described unserviceable equipment, structural degradation, and below-deck overheating; by now, the ship was already beyond her lifespan and overdue for retirement.<ref>Roberts, 2009, p. 51</ref>

Many in the RNZN doubted that the ageing ship could deploy again. Despite these concerns, she spent two months being refitted to allow her to rejoin the overstretched Far East Fleet in 1965. Following this work, it was estimated that the ship's steam turbines could be kept operational for 15 more months.<ref>Twiss & Bailey, 1996</ref><ref>Reports and Returns. Mod Pre & Post refit trials; (1) 1955–64 & (2) 1965 Rc 72/1/10,</ref> For her last ever deployment, she was ordered to [[Pearl Harbor]] for further maintenance before being sent to [[Hong Kong]] and [[Singapore]] to relieve the British fleet.<ref name=":2">Pugsley 2003, p. 245</ref> Once in Singapore, she conducted anti-infiltration patrols, boarded boats, deployed shore patrols, served as a simulated "enemy [[Sverdlov-class cruiser|Sverdlov cruiser]]"<ref name=":2" /> in exercises, and provided air defense for [[HMS Bulwark (R08)|HMS ''Bulwark'']] off Borneo.<ref>HMNZS Royalist 1965 Log & Pugsley. 2003. notes 121 &122. HMS Royalist Proceedings 1965. RNZN Museum, Devonport, Auckland</ref>

While returning to New Zealand, a [[boiler]] and [[turbine]] broke down, canceling a [[Waitangi Day]] tour of the country and ending her career five months early.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}


==Decommissioning and fate==
==Decommissioning and fate==
''Royalist'' was paid off on 4 June 1966. After eleven years in the RNZN, ''Royalist'' reverted to [[Royal Navy]] control in 1967. She was sold for scrap to the Nissho Co, Japan, in November 1967 and was towed from [[Auckland]] to [[Osaka]] on 31 December 1967.
''Royalist'' was paid off on 4 June 1966 and, after eleven years in the RNZN, reverted to [[Royal Navy]] control in 1967. She was sold for scrap to the Nissho Company of Japan in November 1967. She was then towed from [[Auckland]] to [[Osaka]] on 31 December 1967 and [[Ship breaking|scrapped]] upon arrival.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==Citations==
{{Reflist}}
;Citations
{{Reflist|30em}}


;Bibliography
==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |first=D.K. |last=Brown |series=The Design and Construction of British Warships, 1939–1945. The official record |title= Major Surface Vessels |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |place=London |date=1995 |isbn=9780851776736}}
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946|editor1-last=Chesneau |editor1-first=Roger |publisher=Mayflower Books |location=New York |date=1980|isbn=0-8317-0303-2 |chapter=Great Britain |last1=Campbell |first1=N.J.M. |pages=2–85}}
*{{cite book|first=D.K.|last=Brown|title=The Design and Construction of British Warships, 1939–1945. The official record. Major Surface Vessels|publisher=Conway Maritime Press|place=London|year=1995|isbn=9780851776736}}
*{{Colledge}}
* {{Cite Colledge2006}}
*{{cite book|first=Norman|last=Friedman|title=British Cruisers. Two World Wars & After|publisher=Seaforth|place=Barnsley|year=2010|isbn=9781783464524}}
* {{cite book|last=Friedman |first=Norman |title=British Cruisers: Two World Wars and After |date=2010|publisher=Seaforth Publishing |location=Barnsley, UK |isbn=978-1-59114-078-8 |author-link=Norman Friedman}}
* {{cite book|last=Friedman |first=Norman |title= British Destroyers & Frigates: The Second World War and After |date=2006 }}
*{{cite book|first=Eric|last=Grove|title=Royal Navy since 1815. A Short History|publisher=Palgrave-MacMillan|place=London|year=2006|isbn=9780333721254}}
* {{cite book |first=Eric |last=Grove |title=Royal Navy since 1815. A Short History |publisher=Palgrave-MacMillan |place=London |date=2006 |orig-date=2004 |isbn=9780333721254}}
*{{cite web|first=Guðmundur|last=Helgason|year=2018|title=HMS Royalist (89)|url=http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4024.html|website=uboat.net|accessdate=8 May 2018}}
* {{cite web |first=Guðmundur |last=Helgason |date=2018|title=HMS Royalist (89) |url=http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4024.html |website=uboat.net |access-date=8 May 2018}}
*{{cite book|first=Keith|last=Kyle|title=Suez|url=https://archive.org/details/suez00kyle|url-access=registration|publisher=Weidenfeld and Nicolson|place=London|year=1991|isbn=9780297812746}}
*{{cite book|first= D |last=Hobbs |title=The British Carrier Strike Fleet after 1945 |location=Barnsley |publisher=Seaforth |date=2015 }}
*{{cite web |first=Lt Cdr Geoffrey B |last=Mason RN (Rtd) |url=http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-Royalist.htm |title=HMS Royalist – Bellona-class AA Cruiser |publisher=naval-history.net |work=Service Histories of Royal Navy Warships in World War 2|date=2004 |editor1=Gordon Smith }}
*{{citation |first1=Peter |last1=Hodges |first2= Norman |last2=Friedman |title= Destroyer Weapons of World War 2 |publisher=Conway |location=London |orig-date=1979 |date=2003 }}
*{{cite book|title=Unofficial Channels: Letters between Alister McIntosh and Foss Shanahan, George Laking and Frank Corner 1946–1966|editor-first=Ian|editor-last=McGibbon|publisher=Victoria University Press|place=Wellington|year=1999|isbn=978-0-86473-365-8}}
*{{cite book|first1=Louis|last1=Mountbatten|editor-first=Philip|editor-last=Zeigler|title=Shore to Shore. The Diaries of Earl Mountbatten of Burma 1953–1979|publisher=Collins|place=London|year=1979|isbn=9780002176064|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/fromshoretoshore0000moun}}
* {{cite book |first=Keith |last=Kyle |title=Suez |url=https://archive.org/details/suez00kyle|url-access=registration |publisher=Weidenfeld and Nicolson |place=London |date=1991|isbn=9780297812746 |via=archive.org}}
* {{cite web |first=Lt Cdr Geoffrey B RN (Rtd) |last=Mason |url=http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-Royalist.htm |title=HMS Royalist – Bellona-class AA Cruiser |publisher=naval-history.net |work=Service Histories of Royal Navy Warships in World War 2 |date=2004 |editor-first1=Gordon |editor-last1=Smith }}
*{{cite book|first=Christopher|last=Pugsley|title=From Emergency to Confrontation. New Zealand Armed Forces 1949–66|publisher=Oxford University Press|place=Melbourne|year=2003|isbn=9780195584530}}
* {{cite book |title=Unofficial Channels: Letters between Alister McIntosh and Foss Shanahan, George Laking and Frank Corner 1946–1966 |editor-first=Ian |editor-last=McGibbon |publisher=Victoria University Press |place=Wellington |date=1999 |isbn=978-0-86473-365-8}}
*{{cite book|first1=Alan|last1=Raven|first2=Henry Trevor|last2=Lenton|title=Dido cruisers|publisher=Bivocac|place=London|year=1973|isbn=9780856800030}}
*{{cite book|first1=Alan|last1=Raven|first2=John Arthur|last2=Roberts|title=British Cruisers of World War 2|publisher=Arms & Armour|place=Melbourne|year=1980|isbn=9780853683049}}
* {{cite book|first1=Louis|last1=Mountbatten |editor-first=Philip |editor-last=Zeigler |title=Shore to Shore. The Diaries of Earl Mountbatten of Burma 1953–1979 |publisher=Collins |place=London |date=1979 |isbn=9780002176064 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/fromshoretoshore0000moun |via=Archive.org}}
*{{cite book|first=John|last=Roberts|title=Safeguarding the Nation: the Story of the Royal Navy|publisher=Seaforth|place=Havertown|year=2009|isbn=9781783830305}}
* {{cite book |first=Christopher |last=Pugsley |title=From Emergency to Confrontation. New Zealand Armed Forces 1949–66 |publisher=Oxford University Press |place=Melbourne |date=2003 |isbn=9780195584530}}
* {{cite book |first1=Alan |last1=Raven |first2=H. Trevor |last2=Lenton |title=Dido cruisers |series=Ensign 2 |publisher=Bivouac Books |place=London |date=1973 |isbn=9780856800030}}
*{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Russell|title=HMS Royalist (C89)|url=https://www.world-war.co.uk/Bellona/royalist.php3|website=WWII cruisers|accessdate=6 May 2018}}
*{{cite book|first=Malcolm|last=Templeton|authorlink=Malcolm Templeton|title=Ties of Blood and Empire: New Zealand's Involvement in Middle East Defence and the Suez Crisis 1947–57|publisher=Auckland University Press|place=Auckland NZ|year=1994|isbn=978-1-86940-097-2}}
* {{cite book|last1=Raven|first1=Alan|last2=Roberts|first2=John |title=British Cruisers of World War Two |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |date=1980|isbn=0-87021-922-7}}
*{{cite book|first1=Frank|last1=Twiss|first2=Chris Howard|last2=Bailey|title=Social Change in the Royal Navy 1924–1970. The Life and Times of Admiral Frank Twiss|publisher=Sutton|place=Stroud|year=1996|isbn=9780750906104}}
*{{cite book |first=John |last=Roberts |title=Safeguarding the Nation: the Story of the Royal Navy |publisher=Seaforth |place=Havertown |date=2009 |isbn=9781783830305 }}
* {{cite book |last=Rohwer |first=Jürgen |title=Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |date=2005|edition=Third Revised |isbn=1-59114-119-2 |author-link=Jürgen Rohwer}}
{{Refend}}
* {{cite web |first=Mike |last=Russell |title=HMS Royalist (C89) |url=https://www.world-war.co.uk/Bellona/royalist.php3|website=WWII cruisers |access-date=6 May 2018}}
* {{cite book |first=A. |last=Seldon |title=Churchill's Indian Summer. The Conservative Government 1951-55 |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |date=1981 |location=London}}
* {{cite book |first=Malcolm |last=Templeton |author-link=Malcolm Templeton |title=Ties of Blood and Empire: New Zealand's Involvement in Middle East Defence and the Suez Crisis 1947–57|publisher=Auckland University Press |place=Auckland NZ |date=1994|isbn=978-1-86940-097-2}}
* {{cite book|first1=Frank |last1=Twiss |first2=Chris Howard |last2=Bailey |title=Social Change in the Royal Navy 1924–1970. The Life and Times of Admiral Frank Twiss |publisher=Sutton |place=Stroud |date=1996|isbn=9780750906104}}
* {{cite book |first=Conrad |last=Walters |title=British Town class cruisers |publisher=Seaforth |location=Barnsley |date=2019 |isbn=9781526718853}}
* {{cite book |last=Whitley |first=M. J. |title=Cruisers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia |publisher=Cassell |location=London |date=1995|isbn=1-86019-874-0|author-link=Michael J. Whitley}}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-HMS_Royalist.htm |work=Service Histories of Royal Navy Warships in World War 2 |via=navalhistory.net |date=5 June 2011 |first=Lt Cdr Geoffrey B |last=Mason |title=HMS Royalist - Bellona-class AA Cruiser including Convoy Escort Movements }}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|HMS Royalist (ship, 1942)}}
* {{Commons category-inline|HMS Royalist (ship, 1942)}}
* [https://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-HMS_Royalist.htm HMS ''Royalist'' at navalhistory.net]


{{Dido class cruiser}}
{{Dido class cruiser}}

Latest revision as of 18:53, 13 December 2024

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Royalist.

Royalist anchored at Greenock, Scotland, in September 1943
History
United Kingdom
NameRoyalist
BuilderScotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Greenock
Laid down21 March 1940
Launched30 May 1942
Commissioned10 September 1943
Recommissioned1967
DecommissionedNovember 1967
Out of serviceIn reserve from 1946 to 1956 Loaned to the Royal New Zealand Navy from 1956 to 1966
IdentificationPennant number: 89
FateSold for scrap, November 1967
New Zealand
NameHMNZS Royalist
Commissioned1956
Decommissioned1966
Out of serviceReturned to Royal Navy control 1967
General characteristics (as built)
Class and typeDido-class light cruiser
Displacement
  • 5,950 tons standard
  • 7,200 tons full load
Length
  • 485 ft (148 m) pp
  • 512 ft (156 m) oa
Beam50 ft 6 in (15.39 m)
Draught14 ft (4.3 m)
Installed power62,000 shp (46 MW)
Propulsion
Speed32.25 knots (59.73 km/h; 37.11 mph)
Range
  • 1,303 nmi (2,414 km) at 30 kn (56 km/h)
  • 3,685 nmi (6,824 km) at 16 kn (30 km/h)
Complement530
Armament
Armour

HMS Royalist was a Bellona-class (improved Dido-class) light cruiser of the Royal Navy (RN) and Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) during the Second World War and early Cold War.

After her commissioning in 1943, Royalist was modified with extra facilities and crew for operating as a flagship in aircraft carrier operations. Initially, she operated in the North Sea before transferring to the Mediterranean for the invasion of southern France. Royalist remained in the Aegean Sea until the end of 1944 before sailing to the Far East in 1945 where the ship served until the end of the war.

Royalist was then put into reserve until 1953, when the Navy decided to proceed with plans to refit the ship. The high cost of reconstruction and new governmental policy forced the RN to transfer the vessel to the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) in 1956. In return, New Zealand covered the reconstruction costs of Royalist. After ten years of service with the RNZN, which included involvement in the Suez Crisis and the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, she was scrapped in 1967.

Development

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Design

[edit]

In 1943, the Royal Navy (RN) intended to use the Bellona-class as flagships in escort carrier/cruiser groups during the Invasions of France as well as during joint Royal Navy-US Navy operations in the Pacific. Within months of her commissioning, Royalist's design diverged from the rest of her class. She was fitted with two extra rooms that further enabled her to communicate with aircraft carriers and Fleet Air Arm aircraft. In addition, she was modified with the incorporation of one of the first implementations of an "Action Information Office" (AIO). The AIO was an early operations room, in which computers and manual plotting allowed a force to be managed efficiently. The AIO allowed her to operate as a command ship in the northern Atlantic, primarily in hunting German warships Tirpitz and Scharnhorst. The specialized equipment pushed crew members to their limits, as only minimal space remained for sleeping and comfort.[1] Compared to her base design requiring a crew of 484, Royalist's compliment was 600, adding to the aforementioned problems of cramped conditions. All together, Royalist was designated as a 'Carrier Flagship' when she was mounted with radar.[2]

Construction

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Royalist was built by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company of Greenock who laid her keel on 21 March 1940. She was launched on 30 May 1942, and commissioned on 10 September 1943. She returned to the dockyard for alterations in November which were not complete until February 1944. Her French motto, Surtout Loyal, translates to "Loyal above all".[2]

Royal Navy career

[edit]

North Atlantic service

[edit]

Following her commissioning, Royalist spent several months working up, in which she underwent repairs for trial defects and for further alterations and additions. These included aforementioned modifications for service as a carrier flagship.[2] In March 1944, Royalist joined the Home Fleet and served for a short period in the Arctic theater. In this capacity, she was flagship of Operation Tungsten, the carrier raid in April 1944 against the German battleship Tirpitz in a Norwegian fjord.

After Tungsten, Royalist escorted carriers for attacks on shipping off Norway before entering dock for a refit.[3] After completion of the work in June, Royalist was ordered to the Mediterranean to support the Operation Dragoon landings in the south of France in August 1944. Royalist was the flagship (Rear Admiral Thomas Hope Troubridge) of the RN/USN Task Force 88 that was tasked with maintaining air superiority over the beaches and the support of landing operations.

Mediterranean service

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Following the Dragoon landings, Royalist joined the Aegean Force, tasked with preventing enemy evacuation from the islands in the Aegean Sea. On 15 September, Royalist and destroyer HMS Teazer sank transports KT4 and KT26 off Cape Spatha. She was stationed in the Aegean until late 1944 before a refit in early 1945 at Alexandria. After her stint in the Mediterranean, she was transferred to the East Indies and joined the East Indies Fleet.

Royalist and a Supermarine Seafire off Alexandria, 1945

By April 1945, she was flagship of the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, supporting the Rangoon landings of Operation Dracula.[citation needed]

From 10 May, Royalist joined a group of carriers during Operation Mitre, which searched for Japanese warships evacuating Nicobar and the Andaman Islands. For the remainder of the war, she supported carrier raids against targets in the East Indies and Sumatra.[citation needed]

Scottish author Alistair MacLean served on Royalist during the war, and used his experiences as background for his acclaimed first novel HMS Ulysses (1955) as well as for some of his subsequent works.[citation needed]

Post war reconstruction

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Royalist was withdrawn from the East Indies after the end of the war and returned home to be mothballed and dehumidified in 1946.

Concerned about the growth and threat of the Soviet Navy, the Admiralty board ordered a modernization of four Dido-class cruisers in 1950.[a][4][5] Royalist was planned to be the first of four to six Dido/Bellona-class cruisers to be modernized under the program, with work planned to start in January 1953.[6] The ships were chosen as they were modern, economical, and could be easily modified with new radars and fire control systems.[7][8][failed verification] The importance of the refits increased when other attempts to do the same to Colony and Swiftsure-class cruisers were canceled.[9]

The modernization required the construction of a new superstructure and the addition of a fire control system, with the work planned to only extend the cruiser's lifespan by 6 years. In March 1953, reconstruction of Royalist began.[5]

Following the Conservative victory in the general election of 1951, attitude towards the RN changed. Newly re-elected Prime Minister Winston Churchill supported the Royal Airforce at the cost of the navy, and its budget was cut in 1952.[10] The shift in policy undermined naval expansions by the outgoing Attlee government, and the Navy was forced to cancel upgrades of many ships.[11][12] Under these financial cuts, plans to refurbish Royalist and her sister ships were postponed by three years. In 1954, a review of the Royal Navy found that the cruiser conversions lacked "dual war and peace, [and] cold war capabilities required" for the Navy, and the program was further deprioritized.[13][14]

Transfer to Royal New Zealand Navy

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In 1955, the RN was looking to offload the half-renovated and obsolete Royalist. The offer was accepted by New Zealand Prime Minister Sid Holland, who offered that his nation would pay for the rest of her reconstruction.[15]

Royalist's transfer occurred when the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) was at a crossroads about its future. Internal factions within the RNZN and New Zealand government disagreed regarding the roles and doctrine of its Navy, with many unsure how a nuclear-era force should function and the importance of anti-submarine frigates.[16][17] Royalist's refurbishment cost of £4.5 million indicated the position of the Navy, as the RNZN chose to refurbish the cruiser rather than build two frigates with the same funds.[18][19]

Those in favor of a new cruiser believed a ship like Royalist would be able to serve an anti-aircraft role in supporting allied operations in the Pacific, alongside the RN and Royal Australian Navy.[20][21] Royalist was faster, more armed, and had better range then the Whitby-class frigates proposed to be bought instead. Furthermore, concern about Soviet cruisers raiding shipping in the South Pacific gave her the edge over the primarily ASW ships.[22]

New Zealand only covered her reconstruction costs, and did not out-right buy the ship. This was due to the RN only 'loaning' the vessel, as the RNZN was not seen as being an independent force within the British Empire. When her modifications were complete, New Zealand refused to accept the vessel, stating that the poor World War II-era sleeping arrangements and lack of ABC equipment were unsatisfactory. This soured relations between the two navies, as the RN did not appreciate perceived refusal from a subordinate.[20][21]

The ship was handed over to the Royal New Zealand Navy on 9 July 1956 following the completion of the work. Controversy over her purchase (and governmental stance) persisted, with the ship being viewed as either a white elephant or the most modern and capable vessel of the RNZN.[23]

As part of the Kiwi half of her refurbishment, Royalist was fitted with a new radar, fire control system, and three 'STAAG 2' 40 millimeter anti-air guns.[24]

Royal New Zealand Navy career

[edit]
HMNZS Royalist during the Suez Crisis

Suez Crisis

[edit]
Main article: Suez Crisis

After working up in British waters, Royalist was assigned to the British fleet in the Mediterranean. In August 1956, New Zealand Prime Minister Sidney Holland was persuaded by British Prime Minister Anthony Eden to keep her in the Mediterranean as a deterrent to Egyptian or Israeli aggression.[25][26][27] Despite not operating her, the RN wanted to keep the cruiser on station due to her anti-air capabilities and the threat of hostile aircraft. Following diplomatic negotiations between the two respective governments, the New Zealand Cabinet agreed not to recall the cruiser under the condition that she did not participate in combat.[citation needed]

Following British attacks on Egypt as part of Operation Musketeer (1956), Commonwealth support for the operations faltered. New Zealand soon became concerned about harming its relations with the UK by not supporting the plan and harming its relations with other global powers if it did.[28][29] Following several days of posturing in Auckland, Holland decided to order Royalist to withdraw from operations.[30][31]

As New Zealand figured out the nation's stance on the crisis, the cruiser operated with the RN fleet as an air defense radar picket, rescue ship for downed pilots, and as a method to coordinate British aircraft on bombing runs.[32][29] Later on during the crisis, the New Zealand Cabinet met again to discuss Royalist. Due to the cruiser forming an important part of the RN's anti-air defense in the area, and not wanting to harm relations further, the cabinet "decided not to decide" on her presence within the RN fleet. As such, she remained with the Royal Navy fleet yet did not participate further in Operation Musketeer.[29]

Pacific service

[edit]
HMNZS Royalist at Devonport Naval Base, 1956

Royalist continued to operate with allied navies in the 1950s, and her anti-air capabilities were proven when she outperformed RN cruisers during exercises.[33][34] As part of New Zealand involvement in the Malayan Emergency, she was used to repeatedly shell the MNLA in Johore.[35]

By 1960, the cruiser was expected to serve another 2 and a half years, and the Navy began searching for a replacement. At the time, the RN was short of loanable cruisers, so the frigate HMS Blackpool (F77) was transferred to cover the decommissioning of both Royalist and the recently sunk HMAS Voyager.[36][37]

In 1962, while sailing in rough weather in the Tasman Sea, the cruiser's keel twisted out of alignment. It was found that her captain ran the ship at excess speed into a head sea in an attempt to make it back to land to watch a Rugby match between the Wallabies and All Blacks.[38]

Between 1963 and 1965, she operated with the British Far East Fleet during the Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation. She joined British vessels in making provocative passages between Indonesian Islands in an attempt to deter Indonesian attacks on Malaysia. During these deployments, her age began to show, as captains described unserviceable equipment, structural degradation, and below-deck overheating; by now, the ship was already beyond her lifespan and overdue for retirement.[39]

Many in the RNZN doubted that the ageing ship could deploy again. Despite these concerns, she spent two months being refitted to allow her to rejoin the overstretched Far East Fleet in 1965. Following this work, it was estimated that the ship's steam turbines could be kept operational for 15 more months.[40][41] For her last ever deployment, she was ordered to Pearl Harbor for further maintenance before being sent to Hong Kong and Singapore to relieve the British fleet.[42] Once in Singapore, she conducted anti-infiltration patrols, boarded boats, deployed shore patrols, served as a simulated "enemy Sverdlov cruiser"[42] in exercises, and provided air defense for HMS Bulwark off Borneo.[43]

While returning to New Zealand, a boiler and turbine broke down, canceling a Waitangi Day tour of the country and ending her career five months early.[citation needed]

Decommissioning and fate

[edit]

Royalist was paid off on 4 June 1966 and, after eleven years in the RNZN, reverted to Royal Navy control in 1967. She was sold for scrap to the Nissho Company of Japan in November 1967. She was then towed from Auckland to Osaka on 31 December 1967 and scrapped upon arrival.[citation needed]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ the other three were HMS Diadem, Sirius and Cleopatra

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ Raven & Roberts 1980, pp. 294, 324.
  2. ^ a b c Mason 2004
  3. ^ Mason, 2011
  4. ^ ADM 116/5632. p 124-9 & 175-93, Friedman 2010 p 284, Walters, 2019 p.233
  5. ^ a b McDougal, R. J. (1989). NZ Naval Vessels. GP Books. p. 32.
  6. ^ Friedman 2010, p. 284
  7. ^ M. Wright. Blue Water Kiwis. NZ Naval Story (2001) Reed. Auckland, p146-8.
  8. ^ Friedman, N (2015). British Battleships 1906-1946. Barnsley: Seaforth. pp. 338–9.
  9. ^ Walters 2019, pp. 231–3
  10. ^ Seldon, 1981. pp 314–20
  11. ^ Hodges, Peter; Friedman, Norman (2003) [1979], Destroyer Weapons of World War 2, London: Conway, pp. 101–03
  12. ^ Marland, P (2014), "Post War Fire Control in the RN", Warship 2014, London: Conway, p. 14
  13. ^ Seldon, 1981, p. 315
  14. ^ T. Benbow. The RN & Sea Power British Strategy 1945-55. Inst Historical Research. University of London (2018)
  15. ^ McIntosh papers, A36 folder, letter 5/7/1956, NZ London HC diplomat Frank Corner letter to NZ Foreign Affairs, CE McIntosh in Tempelton, Malcolm (1994). Ties of Blood and Empire: New Zealand's Involvement in Middle East Defence and the Suez Crisis. Auckland: AUP. pp. 124, p253, footnote 8/(5).
  16. ^ New Zealand Parliamentary Debates, Hansard, 24 March 1955, pp. 21–22
  17. ^ Holland. New Zealand Parliamentary Debates 24 March 1955, pp. 12-21
  18. ^ Pugsley. 2003 p. 46
  19. ^ Pugsley 2003, p. 422, note 41
  20. ^ a b P. Dennerly. First to the Flag. Biography of Vice Admiral Peter Phipps in Maritime Dimensions in the Asian Pacific Region. RNZN Museum. 2004. Auckland, pp. 122-3
  21. ^ a b RY257/182 9 April 1956
  22. ^ Clarke, Alex (12 May 2014), "Sverdlov Class Cruisers and the Royal Navy Response", GlobalMaritimeHistory.com, retrieved 3 November 2015
  23. ^ "Royalist home for Christmas", NZ Weekly News, Auckland: Wilson & Hooton, p. 31, 26 December 1956
  24. ^ G. M. Stephens. British Warship Design. Ian Allan. London (1986) p. 84
  25. ^ PRO:CAB 134//216.E(56) 12/8/56
  26. ^ Pearson, J (2005). Antony Eden and the Suez Crisis. Reluctant Gamble. Palgrave MacMillan. pp. 49–56.
  27. ^ AP 20/25/7 PMPT T331/56/ no353 Eden to Holland 4 Aug 1956
  28. ^ P. Lyons. "The old Commonwealth. The first four Dominions" in M. Howard & R. Louis. The Oxford History of the 20c, OUP (1998) Oxford, p300
  29. ^ a b c Kyle 1991, pp. 394–395
  30. ^ Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. p. 70. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
  31. ^ Gustafson (1998). History of the NZ National Party. Wellington. p. 70.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  32. ^ Hobbs 2015, pp. 173–4 & 187
  33. ^ Pugsley, 2003, p. 49
  34. ^ "HMAS Melbourne (II)". Sea Power Centre. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
  35. ^ Pugsley. 2003, p. 50
  36. ^ HMAS Duchess. Australian Seapower History. RAN. Retrieved 6-5-2020. Canberra.
  37. ^ D. Fairfax. "Frigates" & G. McLean "RNZN History" in I. McGibbon. Companion to NZ Military History. OUP.(2000) Auckland, pp. 186-7 & 467
  38. ^ Bradley, I. (2004). Don't Rock the Boat. Auckland. pp. 122–3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  39. ^ Roberts, 2009, p. 51
  40. ^ Twiss & Bailey, 1996
  41. ^ Reports and Returns. Mod Pre & Post refit trials; (1) 1955–64 & (2) 1965 Rc 72/1/10,
  42. ^ a b Pugsley 2003, p. 245
  43. ^ HMNZS Royalist 1965 Log & Pugsley. 2003. notes 121 &122. HMS Royalist Proceedings 1965. RNZN Museum, Devonport, Auckland

Bibliography

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  • Brown, D.K. (1995). Major Surface Vessels. The Design and Construction of British Warships, 1939–1945. The official record. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 9780851776736.
  • 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.
  • Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
  • Friedman, Norman (2010). British Cruisers: Two World Wars and After. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-59114-078-8.
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  • Grove, Eric (2006) [2004]. Royal Navy since 1815. A Short History. London: Palgrave-MacMillan. ISBN 9780333721254.
  • Helgason, Guðmundur (2018). "HMS Royalist (89)". uboat.net. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
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  • Mason, Lt Cdr Geoffrey B RN (Rtd) (2004). Smith, Gordon (ed.). "HMS Royalist – Bellona-class AA Cruiser". Service Histories of Royal Navy Warships in World War 2. naval-history.net.
  • McGibbon, Ian, ed. (1999). Unofficial Channels: Letters between Alister McIntosh and Foss Shanahan, George Laking and Frank Corner 1946–1966. Wellington: Victoria University Press. ISBN 978-0-86473-365-8.
  • Mountbatten, Louis (1979). Zeigler, Philip (ed.). Shore to Shore. The Diaries of Earl Mountbatten of Burma 1953–1979. London: Collins. ISBN 9780002176064 – via Archive.org.
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  • Russell, Mike. "HMS Royalist (C89)". WWII cruisers. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
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  • Twiss, Frank; Bailey, Chris Howard (1996). Social Change in the Royal Navy 1924–1970. The Life and Times of Admiral Frank Twiss. Stroud: Sutton. ISBN 9780750906104.
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  • Mason, Lt Cdr Geoffrey B (5 June 2011). "HMS Royalist - Bellona-class AA Cruiser including Convoy Escort Movements". Service Histories of Royal Navy Warships in World War 2 – via navalhistory.net.
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