Edingurgh class cruiser

The construction of the British Edinburgh class light cruisers Belfast and Edinburgh began at the end of 1936.Both were actually a sub-class of the British Town class cruisers,which consisted of three sub-classes.The Edinburgh's were an improved version of their predecessors,the Southampton class.They were originally planned to mount four quadruple 6 inch turrets,but because of the difficulties to manufacture a successful quadruple they were completed with four triple gun turrets instead.They were both completed in mid-1939,just before World War2 broke out.


When the war broke out Edinburgh began escorting convoys while Belfast took part in a naval blockade of Germany but she struck a mine and was badly damaged,not to return to service until late 1942.Meanwhile Edinburgh kept escorting convoys until she sank in May 1942 after being attacked by a German U-boat(a submarine)and three German destroyers.After her repairs were completed Belfast escorted convoys until she took part in the Battle of the North Cape(see post)and thereafter the D-Day landings.She was transferred to the British Pacific Fleet in mid 1945,took part in the Korean War and is presently a museum on the Thames river in London.


A picture of the Belfast as a museum.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_class_cruiser
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Pacific_Fleet


That's all for now!

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