Tiger class cruiser
Encyclopedia
The Tiger-class helicopter cruisers were the first of such a type in the Royal Navy
, and the last cruisers built for the Royal Navy. They were originally designed to be Minotaur-class
light cruiser
s. The Minotaurs were laid down as World War II
was ending, and accordingly only three Minotaurs were completed (Swiftsure
, Superb
and Minotaur, which was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy
and renamed Ontario
). Three other ships of the Minotaur-class had their construction either suspended or cancelled in 1946; two more were broken up.
The design of the Tigers differed from the original Minotaurs in that they were armed with two state-of-the-art automatic twin mount 6 inches (152 mm) guns designed just for the Tigers rather than the more obsolete three triple mount 6 inches (152 mm) guns used for the Minotaurs which had been designed in 1929. They were the last 6 inches (152 mm) guns used by the RN. Instead of the five twin mount 4 inches (102 mm) guns designed in 1934, the Tigers used 3 twin mount 3 inches (76 mm) guns, also designed for the Tigers, and which saw service in only the Tigers and the Canadian Restigouche-class
destroyer.
The first ship to be commissioned was Tiger in 1959, with Lion
in 1960 and Blake
the following year, nearly two-decades after the ships had been laid down. They were, however, obsolete, in that they were not armed with missile systems. Other ship classes that were close to entering service, such as the Leander-class
and Tribal-class
frigate
s were being equipped with the SeaCat
missile system, though only three of the Tribals would be armed with that missile system. As all three ships required large crews, they were decommissioned into maintained reserve, starting in 1963 with Blake, followed by Lion in the fall of 1965, and in 1968, Tiger too was placed in reserve.
operations were sorely needed, and therefore in 1965, work began on Blake for her to be converted into a helicopter cruiser while Tiger began her conversion in 1968. And while some funding had been assembled, not enough could be pulled together for Lion's conversion, and her's was cancelled, though she remained operational until the end of 1965. One aft twin mount 6 inch gun was removed to allow the addition of a large helicopter hangar and helicopter pad that would be capable of handling four helicopters. The mid-ship mounted two twin mount 3 in guns were also removed to make way for two quad Seacat missile launchers. More modern sensor equipment and command and control facilities were also added, that would enable them to perform in a very capable role as a flagship for task groups.
The conversions left Tiger and Blake some 380 tons heavier with a full displacement of 12,080 tons and their crew complements increased by 169 to 885. During conversion they had lost their much loved sleek cruiser lines and their new appearance was criticised for being an ungainly and inelegant ‘push me-pull me’ design, and both vessels were soon nicknamed ‘Ugly Ducklings’. Originally Lion was also to have been converted, although this never materialised: Blake’s conversion had been more expensive than envisaged (£5.5 million) and so funds were no longer available. Ironically Tiger’s conversion cost even more (£13.25 million), such was the level of inflation at the time. After much material was stripped off her for use as spares for her sisters; Lion was subsequently sold for breaking up in 1975.
Conversion of Swiftsure and Superb to the Tiger class standard was implemented but not completed; Swiftsures refit was cancelled after much of the conversion work was completed (new superstructures and masts were fitted, but not her new weaponary), while Superbs never started.
entry into reserve, Tiger and Blake were the only major Royal Navy vessels capable of performing the fundamental anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role. The conversion had given Tiger and Blake between fifteen and twenty years' further service, but the manpower shortages that the Royal Navy faced in the 1970s quickened their demise. The recommissioning of two carriers, Bulwark
and Hermes
now configured to perform anti-submarine warfare, vital against the Soviet Union
submarine threat in the Atlantic
, a role that the Tigers had been used for, decreased the importance of the Tigers even further.
In April 1978 Tiger was withdrawn from service, followed by Blake in 1979 and both ships were laid up in reserve at HMRNB Chatham. When Blake decommissioned in 1979, she had the distinction of being the last cruiser to serve the Royal Navy and her passing was marked on 6 December 1979, when she ceremonially fired her 6-inch guns for the last time in the English Channel
. Just a few days after the Falklands War
started, both Blake and Tiger were rapidly surveyed to determine their condition for reactivation. Both ships were found to be in very good condition and were dry-docked (Blake at Chatham, and Tiger at Portsmouth) and round the clock reactivation work immediately begun. By mid-May it was determined the ships would not be completed in time to take part in the war and the work was stopped. Though Chile
showed some interest in acquiring both ships, the sale did not proceed and the ships sat at anchor in an unmaintained condition until sold. Blake was then sold for breaking up in late 1982, followed by Tiger in 1986.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, and the last cruisers built for the Royal Navy. They were originally designed to be Minotaur-class
Minotaur class cruiser (1943)
The Minotaur class of light cruisers of the Royal Navy, also known as the Swiftsure class, was designed as a modified version of the Crown Colony class incorporating war modifications and authorised in 1941, but, in spite of the heavy toll of cruisers in that year and the following one, the...
light cruiser
Light cruiser
A light cruiser is a type of small- or medium-sized warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armored cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armor in the same way as an armored cruiser: a protective belt and deck...
s. The Minotaurs were laid down as World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
was ending, and accordingly only three Minotaurs were completed (Swiftsure
HMS Swiftsure (08)
HMS Swiftsure was a Minotaur-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was laid down by Vickers Armstrong at Newcastle-on-Tyne on 22 September 1941, launched on 4 February 1943 by Lady Wake-Walker and commissioned on 22 June 1944....
, Superb
HMS Superb (25)
HMS Superb was a Minotaur-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was laid down by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, of Wallsend, Tyne and Wear on 23 June 1942, launched on 31 August 1943 and commissioned on 16 November 1945....
and Minotaur, which was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
and renamed Ontario
HMCS Ontario (C53)
HMCS Ontario was a Minotaur class light cruiser built for the Royal Navy as HMS Minotaur , but transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy on completion and renamed Ontario....
). Three other ships of the Minotaur-class had their construction either suspended or cancelled in 1946; two more were broken up.
Design and commissioning
Construction of the three suspended ships resumed in 1954 to a revised design known as the Tiger class, as the many World War II-era cruisers were coming to the end of their service life. All such cruisers would be out of service by the 1960s due to the many defence cuts that the Royal Navy suffered.The design of the Tigers differed from the original Minotaurs in that they were armed with two state-of-the-art automatic twin mount 6 inches (152 mm) guns designed just for the Tigers rather than the more obsolete three triple mount 6 inches (152 mm) guns used for the Minotaurs which had been designed in 1929. They were the last 6 inches (152 mm) guns used by the RN. Instead of the five twin mount 4 inches (102 mm) guns designed in 1934, the Tigers used 3 twin mount 3 inches (76 mm) guns, also designed for the Tigers, and which saw service in only the Tigers and the Canadian Restigouche-class
Restigouche class destroyer
The Restigouche class destroyer was a class of destroyers that served the Royal Canadian Navy and later the Canadian Forces from the late-1950s to the late-1990s....
destroyer.
The first ship to be commissioned was Tiger in 1959, with Lion
HMS Lion (C34)
HMS Lion was a light cruiser of the Royal Navy, ordered in 1942 as one of the Minotaur class and laid down that same year as Defence by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company at Greenock on 6 June 1942....
in 1960 and Blake
HMS Blake (C99)
HMS Blake was a guided missile cruiser of the Tiger class of the Royal Navy, the last of the Royal Navy cruisers. She was named after Admiral Robert Blake, a 17th century admiral who was the "Father of the Royal Navy". She was ordered in 1942 as one of the Minotaur class of light cruisers...
the following year, nearly two-decades after the ships had been laid down. They were, however, obsolete, in that they were not armed with missile systems. Other ship classes that were close to entering service, such as the Leander-class
Leander class frigate
The Leander class, or Type 12I frigates, comprising twenty-six vessels, was among the most numerous and long-lived classes of frigate in the Royal Navy's modern history. The class was built in three batches between 1959 and 1973...
and Tribal-class
Tribal class frigate
The Type 81, or Tribal class, was a class of seven general-purpose frigates for the Royal Navy designed during the 1950s that served throughout the 1960s and 1970s with limited service during the 1980s.-History:...
frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
s were being equipped with the SeaCat
Sea Cat missile
Sea Cat was a British short-range surface to air missile system intended to replace the ubiquitous Bofors 40 mm gun aboard warships of all sizes. It was the world's first operational shipboard point-defence missile system and was designed so that the Bofors guns could be replaced with minimum...
missile system, though only three of the Tribals would be armed with that missile system. As all three ships required large crews, they were decommissioned into maintained reserve, starting in 1963 with Blake, followed by Lion in the fall of 1965, and in 1968, Tiger too was placed in reserve.
Construction Programme
| Pennant Pennant number In the modern Royal Navy, and other navies of Europe and the Commonwealth, ships are identified by pennant numbers... |
Name | (a) Hull builder (b) Main machinery manufacturers |
Ordered | Laid down | Launched | Accepted into service | Commissioned | Estimated building cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C24 | Tiger (ex-Bellorophon HMS Tiger (C20) HMS Tiger was a conventional cruiser of the Royal Navy, one of a three ship class known as the Tiger class.-Construction, redesign and commissioning:... |
(a) & (b) John Brown and Co Ltd, Clydebank John Brown & Company John Brown and Company of Clydebank was a pre-eminent Scottish marine engineering and shipbuilding firm, responsible for building many notable and world-famous ships, such as the , the , the , the , the , and the... . |
1 October 1941 | 25 October 1945 | March 1959 | 18 March 1959 | £12,820,000 | |
| C34 | Lion (ex-Defence) HMS Lion (C34) HMS Lion was a light cruiser of the Royal Navy, ordered in 1942 as one of the Minotaur class and laid down that same year as Defence by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company at Greenock on 6 June 1942.... |
(a) Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Greenock Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Limited, often referred to simply as Scotts, was a Scottish shipbuilding company based in Greenock on the River Clyde.- History :... (to launching stage) (a) Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend-on-Tyne (for completion) (b) Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Greenock (b) The Wallsend Slipway & Engineering Co Ltd, Wallsend-on-Tyne (for completion). |
24 June 1942 | 2 September 1944 | July 1960 | 20 July 1960 | £14,375,000 | |
| C99 | Blake (ex-Tiger, ex-Blake) HMS Blake (C99) HMS Blake was a guided missile cruiser of the Tiger class of the Royal Navy, the last of the Royal Navy cruisers. She was named after Admiral Robert Blake, a 17th century admiral who was the "Father of the Royal Navy". She was ordered in 1942 as one of the Minotaur class of light cruisers... |
(a) & (b) The Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd, Govan, Glasgow Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company The Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Limited was a British shipbuilding company in the Govan area on the Clyde in Glasgow. Fairfields, as it is often known, was a major warship builder, turning out many vessels for the Royal Navy and other navies through the First World War and the... . |
17 August 1942 | 20 December 1945 | March 1961 | 8 March 1961 | £14,940,000 | |
Conversions
With the running down of the UK's carrier fleet, ships that could operate helicopters for ASWASW
ASW, a three-letter abbreviation, may refer to:*Air Southwest, a British airline*Ambrosia Software, a predominantly Macintosh software company.*Anti-submarine warfare*Artificial seawater*Aswan International Airport...
operations were sorely needed, and therefore in 1965, work began on Blake for her to be converted into a helicopter cruiser while Tiger began her conversion in 1968. And while some funding had been assembled, not enough could be pulled together for Lion's conversion, and her's was cancelled, though she remained operational until the end of 1965. One aft twin mount 6 inch gun was removed to allow the addition of a large helicopter hangar and helicopter pad that would be capable of handling four helicopters. The mid-ship mounted two twin mount 3 in guns were also removed to make way for two quad Seacat missile launchers. More modern sensor equipment and command and control facilities were also added, that would enable them to perform in a very capable role as a flagship for task groups.
The conversions left Tiger and Blake some 380 tons heavier with a full displacement of 12,080 tons and their crew complements increased by 169 to 885. During conversion they had lost their much loved sleek cruiser lines and their new appearance was criticised for being an ungainly and inelegant ‘push me-pull me’ design, and both vessels were soon nicknamed ‘Ugly Ducklings’. Originally Lion was also to have been converted, although this never materialised: Blake’s conversion had been more expensive than envisaged (£5.5 million) and so funds were no longer available. Ironically Tiger’s conversion cost even more (£13.25 million), such was the level of inflation at the time. After much material was stripped off her for use as spares for her sisters; Lion was subsequently sold for breaking up in 1975.
Conversion of Swiftsure and Superb to the Tiger class standard was implemented but not completed; Swiftsures refit was cancelled after much of the conversion work was completed (new superstructures and masts were fitted, but not her new weaponary), while Superbs never started.
Obsolescence and decommissioning
In 1969, Blake returned to service followed by Tiger in 1972. However, the crew-intensive Tigers' days were numbered. In 1973, Lion was used as a parts hulk to maintain Blake and Tiger. With HMS Ark Royal’sHMS Ark Royal (R09)
HMS Ark Royal was an Audacious-class aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy and, when she was decommissioned in 1978, was the Royal Navy's last remaining conventional catapult and arrested-landing aircraft carrier...
entry into reserve, Tiger and Blake were the only major Royal Navy vessels capable of performing the fundamental anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role. The conversion had given Tiger and Blake between fifteen and twenty years' further service, but the manpower shortages that the Royal Navy faced in the 1970s quickened their demise. The recommissioning of two carriers, Bulwark
HMS Bulwark (R08)
The sixth HMS Bulwark of the Royal Navy was a 22,000 tonne Centaur-class light fleet aircraft carrier.-Construction:Bulwark was laid down by the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast on 10 May 1945...
and Hermes
HMS Hermes (R12)
HMS Hermes was a Centaur-class British aircraft carrier, the last of the postwar conventional aircraft carriers commissioned into the Royal Navy.-Construction and modifications:...
now configured to perform anti-submarine warfare, vital against the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
submarine threat in the Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
, a role that the Tigers had been used for, decreased the importance of the Tigers even further.
In April 1978 Tiger was withdrawn from service, followed by Blake in 1979 and both ships were laid up in reserve at HMRNB Chatham. When Blake decommissioned in 1979, she had the distinction of being the last cruiser to serve the Royal Navy and her passing was marked on 6 December 1979, when she ceremonially fired her 6-inch guns for the last time in the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
. Just a few days after the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
started, both Blake and Tiger were rapidly surveyed to determine their condition for reactivation. Both ships were found to be in very good condition and were dry-docked (Blake at Chatham, and Tiger at Portsmouth) and round the clock reactivation work immediately begun. By mid-May it was determined the ships would not be completed in time to take part in the war and the work was stopped. Though Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
showed some interest in acquiring both ships, the sale did not proceed and the ships sat at anchor in an unmaintained condition until sold. Blake was then sold for breaking up in late 1982, followed by Tiger in 1986.