Danae-class cruiser

	Danae
Class overview
Name	Danae class
Operators	Royal Navy ; Polish Navy ;
Preceded by	C class
Succeeded by	Emerald class
In commission	1918–1946
Planned	12
Completed	8
Cancelled	4
Lost	3
General characteristics
Type	Light cruiser
Displacement	4,850 tons standard; 5,925 tons full;
Length	445 ft (135.6 m) (p/p); 472.5 ft (144.0 m) (o/a);
Beam	46.5 ft (14.2 m) (47 ft (14 m) in Despatch and Diomede)
Draught	14.5 ft (4.4 m) (16.5 ft (5.0 m) full)
Propulsion	Six Yarrow-type water-tube boilers ; Parsons (Brown-Curtis in Dauntless, Diomede) geared steam turbines ; Two shafts; 40,000 shp (30,000 kW);
Speed	29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph) (27 knots full)
Range	2,300 nmi (4,260 km) at 27 knots (50.0 km/h)
Complement	450 / 469 war
Armament	6 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) L/45 Mark XII guns on single mountings CP Mark XIV (Diomede 1 × mount CP Mk.XVI); 2 × QF 3 inch 20 cwt L/45 Mk.I on mounts HA Mk.II; 2 × QF 2-pounder L/39 Mk.II on mounts HA Mk.II; 4 × triple tubes for 21-inch (533 mm) torpedoes ;
Armour	Main belt: 1.5–2.25 in (38–57 mm) forward; 3 in (76 mm) amidships; 2.25–2 in (57–51 mm) aft; Upper deck:1 in (25 mm) over machinery; Main deck: 1 in over steering gear; Gunshields: 1 in;

Last updated January 20, 2025

The Danae or D class consisted of eight light cruisers built for the Royal Navy at the end of World War I which also saw service in World War II.

Design

The Danaes were based on the design of the preceding C class series, but were lengthened by 20 feet (6 m) to allow a sixth 6-inch (152 mm) gun to be worked in between the bridge and the fore funnel. This gave an 'A', 'B', 'P', 'Q', 'X', 'Y' arrangement. Additionally, the twin torpedo tubes in the C class were replaced by triples, giving the Danaes a total of twelve tubes, the heaviest torpedo armament for a cruiser at the time. Machinery and general layout was otherwise the same as the Ceres group of C-class cruisers. However, Danae, Dauntless and Dragon were ordered before the Capetown group, and therefore did not incorporate the improved bow design of the latter; the C class were very wet forwards, and in the Capetowns sheer was increased forwards into a knuckled "trawler bow". Such was the success of the knuckled bow that it was incorporated into all subsequent British cruisers (except Birmingham of 1935 which was completed without). Despatch and Diomede had their beam increased by ½ foot to increase stability and Dragon and Dauntless were completed with a hangar for a floatplane built into the bridge, the compass platform being on top. Delhi, Dunedin, Durban, Despatch and Diomede were provided with flying-off platforms for a wheeled aircraft aft. Despatch and Diomede were completed with 4 inch anti-aircraft (A/A) guns vis 12 pounder (3 inch) guns in their sisters and Diomede had 'A' gun shipped in a weatherproof housing CP Mark XVI, an encouraging development for gun crews hitherto exposed to the worst of the elements on the fo'c'sle.

Modifications

The lessons of the Battle of Jutland were applied and protection was improved in detail. Additional torpedo tubes were installed and depth charge throwers were also included. The Mk XII 6-inch (152 mm) gun was retained but, in Diomede, a new prototype gun house (allowing greater elevation) was used and found to be most satisfactory.

Inter-war, all ships had their anti-aircraft armament standardised as three QF 4 inch Mark V guns on mountings HA Mark III, with a QF 2 pdr Mk.II gun in each bridge wing. All aircraft equipment were removed and Dragon and Dauntless had their bridges rebuilt along the lines of the rest of the class.

Early modifications in World War II included the addition of Radar Type 286 air warning at the foremast head and, later, Type 273 centimetric target indication set on the searchlight platform amidships. Between 6 and 8 20 mm Oerlikon guns were generally added, replacing the old 2 pounder guns in the bridge wings, on either side of 'P' and 'Q' guns and on the quarterdeck. In 1942, Dauntless (and in 1943, Danae) had the aft 4 inch A/A gun replaced by a quadruple mounting Mark VII for the 2 pounder Mark VIII gun and in 1943, Danae and Dragon had 'P' gun and the forward pair of 4-inch (102 mm) guns replaced by two such mountings and their Radar Type 282 equipped directors. Dragon and Danae were taken in hand again in 1943 and had the aft 4 inch / 2 pounder mountings replaced by a twin Mounting Mark XIX for the QF 4 inch Mark XVI gun. Danae also received twin in lieu of single Oerlikon mounts and later received a pair of single Bofors 40 mm guns. Diomede landed her torpedo tubes in 1943 and received one twin mount "Hazemeyer" Mark IV and two single mounts Mark III for Bofors guns.

Between 1941 and 1942, Delhi was rebuilt in the United States as an anti-aircraft vessel. All armaments were removed, and five 5 inch L/38 Mark 12 guns in Mark 30 single mountings were added, controlled by a pair of Mark 37 Fire Control Systems. The guns were in all but the former 'P' position. She carried a new bridge and stepped light tripod masts fore and aft, carrying Type 291 air warning radar. A Type 273 target indication radar was added amidships and a Type 285 on the Mark 37 FCS for target ranging and bearings. The light armament consisted of two quadruple 2 pounder mounts Mark VII and their directors with Radar Type 282, a pair of twin Oerlikon mounts Mark V in the bridge wings and six single Mark III Oerlikon pedestal mounts.

Dragon and Durban were expended as breakwaters in support of the Normandy landings in June 1944, Dragon being replaced in Polish service by the Danae (as ORP Conrad) and Despatch was disarmed as a depot ship.

Ships

Three ships were ordered in Sep 1916 under the War Emergency Programme:

Construction data
Ship name	Pennant no.	Builder	Ordered	Laid down	Launched	Completed	Fate
Danae	32 (Jul 18); 44 (Nov 19); I.44 (1936); D.44 (1940)^[1]	Sir W. G. Armstrong Whitworth and Company, High Walker	Sep 1916	11 Dec 1916	26 Jan 1918	18 Jul 1918	Transferred to the Polish Navy as ORP Conrad, 4 Oct 1944 – 28 Sep 1946; sold for breaking up, 22 Jan 1948
Dauntless	71 (Nov 18); 45 (Nov 19); I.45 (1936); D.45 (1940)^[2]	Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow		3 Jan 1917	10 Apr 1918	2 Dec 1918	Sold for breaking up, 13 Feb 1946
Dragon	19 (Sep 18); 46 (Nov 19); I.46 (1936); D.46 (1940)^[3]	Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Greenock		24 Jan 1917	29 Dec 1917	16 Aug 1918	Transferred to Polish Navy, 15 Jan 1943; damaged by German Neger manned torpedo off Caen, 8 Jul 1944; written off and expended as breakwater off Normandy beaches, 20 Jul 1944
Delhi	6A (Nov 18); 74 (Nov 19); I.74 (1936); D.74 (1940)^[4]	Armstrong Whitworth	Jul 1917	29 Oct 1917	23 Aug 1918	7 Jun 1919	Sold for breaking up, 22 Jan 1948
Dunedin	96 (Aug 19); 93 (Nov 19); I.93 (1936); D.93 (1940)^[5]	Armstrong Whitworth		5 Nov 1917	19 Nov 1918	Oct 1919 by Devonport Royal Dockyard	Torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-124 off Saint Paul's Rock in the South Atlantic, 24 Nov 1941
Durban	99 (Aug 21); I.99 (1936); D.99 (1940)^[6]	Scotts		22 Jun 1918	29 May 1919	1 Sep 1921 by Devonport Royal Dockyard	Expended as breakwater off Normandy beaches, 9 Jun 1944
Despatch	10 (Jan 22); 30 (19??); I.30 (1936); D.30 (1940)^[7]	Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan	Mar 1918	8 Jul 1918	24 Sep 1919	2 Jun 1922 by Chatham Royal Dockyard	Sold for breaking up, 5 Apr 1946
Diomede	92 (Jun 22); I.92 (1936); D.92 (1940)^[8]	Vickers Limited, Barrow-in-Furness		3 Jun 1918	29 Apr 1919	24 Feb 1922 by Portsmouth Royal Dockyard	Sold for breaking up, 5 Apr 1946
Daedalus	—	Armstrong Whitworth		—	—	—	Cancelled 26 Nov 1918
Daring		William Beardmore and Company, Dalmuir
Desperate		R. & W. Hawthorn Leslie and Company, Hebburn on Tyne
Dryad		Vickers

Notes

↑ Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.
↑ Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.
↑ Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.
↑ Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.
↑ Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.
↑ Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.
↑ Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.
↑ Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.

Related Research Articles

HMS Cairo (D87) was a C-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy, named after the Egyptian capital, Cairo. So far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name. She was part of the Carlisle group of the C-class of cruisers.

HMS Dragon, also known in Polish service as ORP Dragon, was a D- or Danae-class cruiser built for the Royal Navy. She was launched in Glasgow, in December 1917, and scuttled in July 1944 off the Normandy beaches as part of the Arromanches Breakwater.

HMS Galatea was one of eight Arethusa-class light cruisers built for the Royal Navy in the 1910s. She fought in the First World War, participating in the Battle of Jutland. Following the war, she was scrapped.

HMS Danae was the lead ship of the Danae-class cruisers, serving with the Royal Navy between the world wars and with the Polish Navy during the latter part of World War II as ORP Conrad.

HMS Diomede was a Danae-class cruiser of the Royal Navy. Constructed at Vickers Armstrong, Barrow, she was constructed too late to take part in World War I and was completed at the Royal Dockyard, Portsmouth. Between the wars, she served on the China Station, Pacific waters, East Indies Waters and from 1936 onwards, in reserve. In World War II she performed four years of arduous war duty, during which time she captured the crew of the German blockade runner Idarwald after she had chased that ship and when the crew scuttled Idarwald. Between 22 July 1942 and 24 September 1943 she was converted to a training ship at Rosyth Dockyard. In 1945 she was placed in reserve and scrapped a year later.

HMS Dunedin was a Danae-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy, pennant number D93. She was launched from the yards of Armstrong Whitworth, Newcastle-on-Tyne on 19 November 1918 and commissioned on 13 September 1919. She has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name Dunedin.

HMS Delhi was a Danae-class cruiser that served with the Royal Navy through the Second World War, from the Caribbean to eastern China. She was laid down in 1917, launched in 1918 and commissioned for service in 1919, serving until decommissioning in mid-1945 due to extensive battle damage, and was to be scrapped in 1948 after lengthy war and peacetime service around the world.

HMS Coventry was a C-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy, named after the English city of Coventry. She was part of the Ceres group of the C-class of cruisers.

HMS Colombo was a C-class light cruiser built for the Royal Navy during World War I. She was part of the Carlisle sub-class of the C class. She survived both world wars to be scrapped in 1948.

HMS Caledon was a C-class light cruiser built for the Royal Navy during World War I. She was the name ship of the Caledon sub-class of the C class. She survived both world wars to be scrapped in 1948.

HMS Cambrian was a C-class light cruiser built for the Royal Navy during World War I. She was the name ship of her sub-class of four ships. Assigned to the Grand Fleet upon completion in 1916, the ship played only a small role during the war. Cambrian was assigned to the Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets during the 1920s and was sent to support British interests in Turkey during the Chanak Crisis of 1922–1923. The ship was placed in reserve in late 1929. She was sold for scrap in 1934.

HMS Conquest was a C-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy that saw service during World War I. She was part of the Caroline group of the C class.

HMS Inconstant was one of eight Arethusa-class light cruisers built for the Royal Navy in the 1910s. She fought in the First World War, participating in the Battle of Jutland. Following the war, she was scrapped.

HMS Phaeton was one of eight Arethusa-class light cruisers built for the Royal Navy in the 1910s. She fought in the First World War, participating in the Battle of Jutland. Following the war, she was scrapped.

HMS Royalist was one of eight Arethusa-class light cruisers built for the Royal Navy in the 1910s. She fought in the First World War, participating in the Battle of Jutland. Following the war, she was scrapped.

HMS Penelope was one of eight Arethusa-class light cruisers built for the Royal Navy in the 1910s. She fought in the First World War, following the war, she was scrapped.

HMS Undaunted was one of eight Arethusa-class light cruisers built for the Royal Navy in the 1910s.

HMS Dauntless was a Danae-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was built by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company of Jarrow, launched on 10 April 1918 and commissioned on 22 November 1918.

HMS Despatch was a Danae-class light cruiser built for the Royal Navy during World War I. She was part of the Delhi sub-class of the Danae class.

HMS Durban was a Danae-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was launched from the yards of Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company on 29 May 1919 and commissioned on 1 November 1921.

References

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.
Friedman, Norman (2011). Naval Weapons of World War One: Guns, Torpedoes, Mines and ASW Weapons of All Nations; An Illustrated Directory. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-100-7.
Lenton, H. T. (1998). British & Empire Warships of the Second World War. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-048-7.
Preston, Antony (1985). "Great Britain and Empire Forces". In Gray, Randal (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. pp. 1–104. ISBN 0-85177-245-5.
Raven, Alan & Roberts, John (1980). British Cruisers of World War Two. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-922-7.
Rohwer, Jürgen (2005). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two (Third Revised ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-119-2.
Whitley, M. J. (1995). Cruisers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. London: Cassell. ISBN 1-86019-874-0.

External links

Ships of the Danae class

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[1] Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.

[2] Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.

[3] Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.

[4] Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.

[5] Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.

[6] Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.

[7] Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.

[8] Dodson, Aidan (2024). "The Development of the British Royal Navy's Pennant Numbers Between 1919 and 1940". Warship International. 61 (2): 134–66.

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v t e British naval ship classes of the First World War
Aircraft/Seaplane carriers	Empress ^S^V Riviera ^S^V Engadine ^S^V Ark Royal ^S Ben-my-Chree ^S^V Campania ^S^V Raven II ^S^V Anne ^S^V Vindex ^S^V Manxman ^S^V Furious ^M Pegasus ^S^V Nairana ^S^V Argus ^S^V Vindictive ^S^V
Dreadnought battleships	Dreadnought ^S Bellerophon St Vincent Neptune ^S Colossus Orion King George V Erin ^S Agincourt ^S Iron Duke Canada ^S Queen Elizabeth Revenge
Pre-dreadnought battleships	Royal Sovereign Majestic Canopus Formidable London Duncan King Edward VII Swiftsure Lord Nelson
Battlecruisers	Invincible Indefatigable Lion Queen Mary ^S Tiger ^S Renown Courageous Admiral ^S^A
Armoured cruisers	Cressy Drake Monmouth Devonshire Duke of Edinburgh Warrior Minotaur
Heavy cruisers	Hawkins ^A
Light cruisers	Town ^G Arethusa C ^G^C Danae ^C Emerald ^A
Protected cruisers	Apollo Astraea Eclipse Blake Pearl Edgar Powerful Diadem Arrogant Pelorus Highflyer Challenger Topaze
Scout cruisers	Adventure Forward Pathfinder Sentinel Boadicea Blonde Active
Destroyer flotilla leaders	Swift ^S Faulknor Marksman Parker Thornycroft (or Shakespeare) ^C Admiralty (or Scott) ^C
Destroyers	A ^G B ^G C ^G D ^G E ^G F G H I K L Admiralty M Hawthorn M Thornycroft M Yarrow M Yarrow Later M Medea Arno ^S R ^G S ^G^C Talisman V and W ^G^C
Torpedo boats	TB 81 ^S TB 98 TB 109 TB 114 Cricket ^G
Monitors	Marshal Ney Abercrombie Lord Clive Humber Gorgon M15 M29 Erebus
Minesweepers	Racecourse Hunt Dance
Gunboats	Fly Insect
Submarines	A B C D E F G H ^C J K L ^C M ^C R ^C Swordfish ^S V
Sloops	P Cadmus Flower Acacia Azalea Arabis Anchusa Aubrietia 24 ^C
naval trawlers	Castle Mersey
A All completed after the war C One or more completed after the war G Grouping of several classes M converted from Courageous class S Single ship of class V Conversions

v t e British naval ship classes of the Second World War
Aircraft carriers	Courageous Eagle Ark Royal Illustrious Implacable Audacious ^C Malta ^X
Light aircraft carriers	Argus Hermes Unicorn Colossus Majestic ^C Centaur ^C
Escort carriers	Archer ^AV Audacity ^V Avenger ^AV Attacker ^A Ruler ^A Activity ^V Pretoria Castle ^V Nairana ^V
Battleships	Queen Elizabeth Revenge Nelson King George V Lion ^X Vanguard ^C
Battlecruisers	Renown Hood
Heavy cruisers	Hawkins County York
Light cruisers	C Danae Hawkins Emerald Leander Arethusa Town Dido Fiji Minotaur Neptune ^X Minotaur (1947)^X
Destroyer leaders	Thornycroft type (Shakespeare) Admiralty type (Scott)
Destroyers	R S V & W Town ^A Ambuscade Amazon A & B C & D E & F G & H I Tribal J, K & N Hunt L & M O & P Q & R S & T U & V W & Z C Battle Weapon ^C G ^X Daring ^C,P
Frigates	River Captain ^A Colony ^A Loch Bay
Corvettes	Flower Castle
Sloops	24 Bridgewater Hastings Banff ^A Shoreham Grimsby Kingfisher Bittern Egret Black Swan
Minelayers	Adventure Abdiel Plover Linnet M Agamemnon ^V Menestheus ^V Port Napier ^V Port Quebec ^V Southern Prince ^V Teviot Bank ^V
Minesweepers	Hunt Halcyon Bangor MMS Auk ^A Algerine Cybele
Netlayers	Guardian Mary White Protector Bar Net
Submarines	H L Odin Parthian Rainbow S River Grampus T U P611 V Amphion X XE
Coastal	Harbour defence motor launch Fairmile B motor launch Motor torpedo boat Motor gunboat Steam gun boat Insect-class gunboat Dragonfly-class river gunboat Type Two 63 ft HSL
Other	Trawlers Castle Basset Isles Portuguese Tree Dance Shakespearian Round Table Monitors Erebus Roberts Seaplane carriers Pegasus Albatross Submarine depot ship Adamant Bonaventure Forth Maidstone Titania Merchant aircraft carriers Fighter catapult ships Armed merchant cruisers Ocean boarding vessels
A American built X Cancelled C Completed after the war C,P Laid down and completed after the war V Conversions

Class overview
Danae
Name	Danae class
Operators	Royal Navy Polish Navy
Preceded by	C class
Succeeded by	Emerald class
In commission	1918–1946
Planned	12
Completed	8
Cancelled	4
Lost	3
General characteristics
Type	Light cruiser
Displacement	4,850 tons standard 5,925 tons full
Length	445 ft (135.6 m) (p/p) 472.5 ft (144.0 m) (o/a)
Beam	46.5 ft (14.2 m) (47 ft (14 m) in Despatch and Diomede)
Draught	14.5 ft (4.4 m) (16.5 ft (5.0 m) full)
Propulsion	Six Yarrow-type water-tube boilers Parsons (Brown-Curtis in Dauntless, Diomede) geared steam turbines Two shafts 40,000 shp (30,000 kW)
Speed	29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph) (27 knots full)
Range	2,300 nmi (4,260 km) at 27 knots (50.0 km/h)
Complement	450 / 469 war
Armament	6 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) L/45 Mark XII guns on single mountings CP Mark XIV (Diomede 1 × mount CP Mk.XVI) 2 × QF 3 inch 20 cwt L/45 Mk.I on mounts HA Mk.II 2 × QF 2-pounder L/39 Mk.II on mounts HA Mk.II 4 × triple tubes for 21-inch (533 mm) torpedoes
Armour	Main belt: 1.5–2.25 in (38–57 mm) forward 3 in (76 mm) amidships 2.25–2 in (57–51 mm) aft Upper deck:1 in (25 mm) over machinery Main deck: 1 in over steering gear Gunshields: 1 in