BRITISH CRUISER HMS SHEFFIELD

HMS Sheffield (C24) was a British light cruiser of the Second World War. The keel was laid for this unit in 1935, the launch took place in July 1936, and the entry into service with the Royal Navy - in 1937. The total length of the ship at the time of launching was 170 meters, total width 18.8 meters, and full displacement - approx. 11,400 tons. The maximum speed was around 32 knots. The deck armament at the time of the launch included, among others: 12 152 mm guns, 8 102 mm guns and 6 533 mm torpedo tubes. HMS Sheffield (C24) was one of the Town-class British light cruisers of the Southampton sub-type. Units of this type were built as a kind of British response to the Japanese Mogami class of cruisers, initially built as light cruisers. New three-gun turrets were used on Town-type units, the superstructures were also changed and the anti-aircraft armament was significantly strengthened. In general, Town-class cruisers are considered successful ships with strong armament, decent armor, and good performance. HMS Sheffield (C24) took an active part in World War II, taking part, inter alia, in the activities in Norwegian waters in 1940. The ship also took part in the tracking down and sinking of the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941. At the end of 1942, it supported the Allied landing in North Africa (Operation Torch), and in the summer of 1943, it supported the Salerno landing. After the end of World War II, the cruiser served, among others, in the Mediterranean Sea and the Far East. In 1959, HMS Sheffield (C24) was placed in reserve, and in 1967, cut for scrap.