Built as cruiser 2nd class by Vickers at Barrow for the Royal Navy.
01 November 1909 laid down.
14 December 1910 launched under the name HMS DARTMOUTH, one of the Weymouth class, three sisters WEYMOUTH, FALMOUTH and YARMOUTH.
Displacement 5.250 ton normal, 5.800 ton full load. Dim. 138.1 x 14.6 x 4.7m. (draught).
Powered by Parsons geared turbines (compound re-action), 22.000shp., speed 25 knots, twin screws.
Bunker coal capacity 1290 tons and 260 ton oil.
Range 4.500 miles against 10 knots.
Armament 8 – 6inch and 4 – 3pdrs. guns, 2 – 21inch torpedo tubes.
Crew 475.
01 January 1911 commissioned.
This class of cruiser was an improved Bristol class.
After commission placed in the 3rd Battle Squadron, Atlantic Fleet from 1912 till 1913.
1913 She made a Mediterranean cruise to Montenegro and Salonika.
Thereafter she joined the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron for the July 1913 annual manoeuvers.
September 1913 sailed for the East Indies, was dry-docked in Bombay in August 1914.
October 1914 captured the German tug ADJUTANT, and operated in the Indian Ocean in December 1914.
January 1915 joined the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron, Grand Fleet but remained in the South Atlantic waters in search for German raiders. The HMS DARTMOUTH sailed later to the West Indies.
February 1915 sailed to the Dardanelle’s.
From May 1915 till 1919 in the Light Cruiser Squadron stationed in Brindisi, Italy.
15 May 1917 torpedoed by the German submarine UC-25, after the Battle of Otranto Straits, but she reached Brindisi safely. She later sailed to Malta for repairs.
March 1919 placed in the 7th Light Cruiser Squadron, South America station.
June 1921 in reserve at Devonport till September 1924. Then paid off for a refit.
September 1926 recommissioned for trooping duties. Flagship Vice Admiral Reserve Fleet at Portsmouth from April 1927 till 1928.
Again trooping duties to the Mediterranean and China.
June 1929 in reserve and acted as temporary accommodation hulk for DEFIANCE I in January 1930.
May 1930 paid off.
13 December 1930 sold for breaking up by Metal Industries.
South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands 2004 50p sg382, scott?
Liberia 2015 $30 sg?, scott?
Source: Watercraft Philately 2004/89. Jane’s all the world fighting ship 1906-1979.