Leander-class cruiser (1931)

See Leander class frigate for the later frigate class of the same name.

The Leander class was a class of eight light cruisers built for the Royal Navy in the early 1930s that saw service in World War II. They were named after mythological figures, and all ships were commissioned between 1933 and 1936. The three ships of the second group were later transferred to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and renamed after Australian cities.

Design

The Leander class was influenced by the York class heavy cruiser, and was an attempt to better provide for the role of commerce protection. The 7,000-7,200 ton Leanders were armed with eight 6 inch guns in twin turrets, two forward and two aft. Their secondary armament consisted of four 4 inch guns which were later replaced by twin mountings, for eight guns. Their anti-aircraft weaponry consisted of twelve 0.5 inch Vickers machine guns in three quadruple mounts. They also shipped a bank of four 21" torpedo tubes on each beam and provision was made in the design for carriage of two catapult-launched Fairey Seafox aircraft. Speed was 32 knots, and 845 tons of armor was provided, making the design susceptible to damage, but still superior to many other vessels of similar displacement. This was added to by the fact that the first five vessels did not contain dispersed machinery; the boiler rooms were arranged together and exhausted into a single funnel, a unique feature amongst British cruisers. This meant that damage amidships was liable to disable all the boiler rooms.

The three vessels of the second group, later transferred to the RAN, were modified slightly, primarily in having the machinery dispersed with the "unit principle" (alternating , self-contained boiler and engine rooms). This resulted in a second funnel being added.

Modifications

During the war, significant modifications were made to the vessels. Various additional anti-aircraft armament was added, and the two New Zealand vessels landed a turret to carry heavier 20 mm and 40 mm anti-aircraft guns. Changes to the aircraft launching capability were reported, although use is unclear. Both Fairey Swordfish and Supermarine Walrus aircraft are reported to have been used by the class; the Walrus was probably only used by Royal Navy vessels.

Ships in class

Leander group

HMS Leander / HMNZS Leander

Named after the character from Greek mythology. Loaned to New Zealand, commissioned as HMNZS Leander in September 1941. At the Battle of Kolombagara, Leander was heavily damaged by a Long Lance torpedo, causing many casualties, and sending the ship to repairs for two years.

HMS Achilles / HMNZS Achilles

The Achilles was the second vessel loaned to New Zealand, commissioned as HMNZS Achilles in September 1941. She had earlier participated in the Battle of the River Plate. Achilles was sold to India in 1948, being renamed Delhi.

HMS Ajax

The Ajax participated in the Battle of the River Plate. The town of Ajax, Ontario was named after the ship, with street names in the town named after members of the crew. Ajax also participated in the Battle of Cape Matapan. Ajax also took part in shelling the mainland of Normandy during the beach landings.

HMS Neptune

Manned by New Zealand crew, although not part of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Neptune was sunk by an Italian mine off the coast of Tripoli.

HMS Orion

Orion participated in the evacuation of Crete in 1941 and was heavily damaged.

Amphion / Sydney group

HMS Amphion / HMAS Perth

Completed 1936 and transferred to the RAN in 1939 as Perth. Took part in the Battle of Cape Matapan in March 1941. Lost in the Battle of Sunda Strait in early 1942.

HMS Apollo / HMAS Hobart

Completed 1936 and transferred to the RAN in 1938 as Hobart. Took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea and provided fire support for the amphibious landings at Guadalcanal.

HMS Phaeton / HMAS Sydney

Transferred to the RAN whilst building and renamed Sydney. Operated with British forces in the Mediterranean theatre, participating in the Battle of Cape Matapan as well as the Battle of Calabria in 1940, sinking two Italian destroyers, the Espero and Zeffiro. In 1941, Sydney was attacked by the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran off Western Australia; the two ships destroyed each other and Sydney was lost with all hands.

References

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.
Leander class at Uboat.net