HMS Hermione was one of nine Dido class cruisers built for the Royal Navy. Completed in 1939 she carried ten 5.25 inch guns as her main armourment. Though her sides were protected by 2 inches of steel, her gun turrets had to make do with 1 inch. Her secondary armourment consisted of 16 smaller guns and six 21 inch torpedo tubes. An aircraft, which was catapult launched, was also carried. Her Parsons built turbines gave her a top speed of 33 knots.
In July 1942 she was torpedoed and sunk.
Gibraltar Philatelic
Gibraltar SG542
HERMIONE. Cruiser. Dido class. Built in 1939 by Stevens, Govan. 5450tn. L512'. B50.5'. Dr17'. Engined with Parsons single reduction geared steam turbines. 4 screws. 64000shp. 32.23kn.
Armed with Ten 5.25". Eight 2pdr AA guns. Six 21" TT.
She was involved in the hunt for the BISMARK and in the protection of convoys to Malta. She rammed and sank the Italian submarine TEMBIEN off Tunis. Whilst taking part in "Operation Vigorous" she was sunk on 16th June south of Crete by the German U-Boat 205. Ships Crest only on stamp - Gibraltar 1986. 29p. SG542 (LB16/68-91. WP March 1994)