Enterprise HMS (cruiser) 1918

[john sefton]

ENTERPRISE, Light Cruiser. Emerald class. Built in 1918 by John Brown, Clydebank. Keel laid 28th June 1918. Launched 23rd September 1919 at Devonport Dockyard. Completed 7th April 1926. Displacement 7580tns (standard) 9435 (full load) L57'oa. B54'6". Dr16'3". Eight boilers. Geared turbines. 80,000shp. 4 Screws. 33kn. Armed with Seven 6". Three 4" (Conways List) Two 2pdr guns. Twelve 21" TT. One aircraft. Complement 572.
Her obsolete take off platform for aircraft was replaced by a catapult during her first major refit between 1934/35. During modifications of her armament in 1941 and 1942 Two 6" guns were removed and some light AA guns were added.
In another major refit that lasted from December 1942 until October 1943 the Two 6" guns were reinstalled, the Two 2pdr and AA guns were removed and she was fitted with Two quadruple 40mm and Six twin 20mm guns.
In February 1944 Four single 20mm guns were added. Stationed in the Far East until mid 1934, when she was inactivated for repairs and a refit.
She was back in the Far East from January 1936 until the end of 1937. Decommissioned 30 September 1938.
Recommissioned at the start of WW2. Saw service in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Australian waters and the English Channel. Participated in the Narvik Campaign (April/May 1940) the attack on the French Fleet at Mers-el-Kebir, Algeria (7th March 1940) and in the D-Day landing at Utah Beach. Together with GLASGOW, they battled it out with a German force of 5 Destroyers and 6 Torpedo boats, sinking 1 Destroyer and 2 Torpedo boats (1943).
She was out in reserve on 5th January 1945. On 21st April 1946 she arrived for breaking up by Cashmore of Newport - Gibraltar 1997. 24p. SG809MS (WP March 98. T Broadley)


Gibraltar SG809ms