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World of Warships: Royal Navy Heavy Cruisers are coming!

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Hello chaps! Get the tea ready, the British tech tree is getting a new branch!

To my great surprise, we are getting a British heavy cruiser sub-branch that will start at tier V and will go straight up to tier X with the quite impressive Goliath and her 12 234 mm guns. There is also a Premium cruiser at tier VI, the HMS London.

In this article, we will have a quick look at the different ships and their history. Of course, all of this is an early work in progress, the ships are bound to change so just to be sure:

WG_SPb_WoWs_WIP-icon_black.png

Considering their turret traverse, I think that these ships were sponsored by WD40 because 18 seconds turret traverse time on a triple 234 mm gun turret is… quite impressive to say the least. At least, we won’t need Expert Marksman.

For their other special features, They can launch single torpedoes, they have the same Hydroacoustic Search as the British Destroyers and starting from Tier VIII, they have the British super Repair Party!

Premium Tier VI British Cruiser London

Tier VI - London (Premium)

HMS London, pennant number C69, was part of the County-class of heavy cruiser from the Royal Navy.

Before World War II, the London helped to evacuate civilians from Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War.

During World War II, she participated in the hunt of the Bismarck. This period revealed that her new superstructure was causing too much stress on the ship due to its weight and lead to the formation of cracks on her upper deck and hull. After repairs, she was deployed to escort convoys in the North Atlantic leading to more damage to her hull. The ship was dry-docked in December 1942 for refit and she was back in service in May 1943.

After sea trials and loading of ammunition, she was assigned to operate off the South African coast and then to the Eastern Fleet for the rest of the war.

After the war, she was involved in the Amethyst incident in 1949 during which she was badly damaged by Chinese communist forces and was forced to return to Hong-Kong for repairs. In the end, she was scrapped in 1950.

Health Pool and Armor:

  • Hit points – 34600.
  • Plating – 16 mm.

Main Armament:

  • Main battery – 4×2 203 mm.
  • Firing range – 13.4 km.
  • Maximum HE shell damage – 2850.
  • Chance to cause fire – 15%.
  • HE initial velocity – 855 m/s.
  • Maximum AP shell damage – 4550.
  • AP initial velocity – 855 m/s.
  • Reload time – 15.0 s.
  • 180 degree turn time – 22.5 s.
  • Maximum dispersion – 125 m.
  • Sigma – 2.00.

Torpedo Armament:

  • Torpedo tubes – 2×4 533 mm.
  • Maximum damage – 15733.
  • Range – 7.0 km.
  • Speed – 59 kt.
  • Reload time – 106 s.
  • Launcher 180 degree turn time – 7.2 s.
  • Torpedo detectability – 1.2 km.
  • An option to launch individual torpedoes is available.

Anti-Air Armament:

  • AA defense: 15×1 20.0 mm, 4×2 102.0 mm, 2×8 40.0 mm.
  • AA defense short-range: continuous damage per second – 130, hit probability – 85 %, action zone 0.1-2.0 km;
  • AA defense mid-range: continuous damage per second – 77, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-2.5 km;
  • AA defense long-range: continuous damage per second – 98, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-5.8 km;
  • Number of explosions in a salvo – 4, damage within an explosion – 1260, action zone 3.5 – 5.8 km.

Maneuverability and Concealment:

  • Maximum speed – 32.2 kt.
  • Turning circle radius – 710 m.
  • Rudder shift time – 7.8 s.
  • Surface detectability – 12.1 km.
  • Air detectability – 6.6 km.
  • Detectability after firing main guns in smoke – 6.8 km.

Available consumables:

  • 1 slot – Damage Control Party
  • 2 slot – Repair Party (Duration time 10 s; HP per second 346; reload time 120 (80) s; Charges 1 (2))
  • 3 slot – Hydroacoustic Search (Duration time 180 s; torpedo and ship detection range 3.0 km; reload time 180 (120) s; charges 2 (3))
  • 4 slot – Smoke Generator (Duration time 15 s; smoke dispersion time 99 s; reload time 240 (160) s; charges 2 (3); radius 600 m)

Tier V British Cruiser Hawkins

Tier V - Hawkins

The split between heavy and light cruisers will start at Tier V with HMS Hawkins, the lead ship of the Hawkins-class of heavy cruisers. The class, built between 1916 and 1925 consisted of 5 ships. The Hawkins, the Raleigh, the Frobisher, the Effingham and the Cavendish converted to an aircraft carrier and later renamed Vindicative.

The class’s main armament was composed of 7 190 mm guns in single mounts and with a possible broadside of 6 guns.

The Hawkins herself had an interesting history. Commissioned in 1919, she became the flagship of the 5th Light Cruiser Squadron on the China Station. After a few years, she was decommissioned to undergo a refit then redeployed as the flagship of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron of the Atlantic Fleet in 1929.
In 1930, she was sent to the reserve fleet but was then recommissioned in 1932 to be once again decommissioned in 1935. In the end, she was demilitarized in 1937 due to the London Naval Treaty and was used as a training ship.

When World War II broke out, she was rearmed and recommissioned. She had a very active service, serving both in the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. Her last Operation will be Operation Neptune during which she provided support during the landing on Utah Beach.

She will finally be sent to reserve in 1945 and, after serving as a target ship will be scrapped in 1947.

Health Pool and Armor:

  • Hit points – 32200.

  • Plating – 13 mm.

Main Armament:

  • Main battery – 7×1 190 mm.

  • Firing range – 13.9 km.

  • Maximum HE shell damage – 2650.

  • Chance to cause fire – 13%.

  • HE initial velocity – 844 m/s.

  • Maximum AP shell damage – 4050.

  • AP initial velocity – 844 m/s.

  • Reload time – 13.0 s.

  • 180 degree turn time – 18.0 s.

  • Maximum dispersion – 129 m.

  • Sigma – 2.00.

Torpedo Armament:

  • Torpedo tubes – 2×2 533 mm.

  • Maximum damage – 15733.

  • Range – 7.0 km.

  • Speed – 59 kt.

  • Reload time – 53 s.

  • Launcher 180 degree turn time – 7.2 s.

  • Torpedo detectability – 1.2 km.

  • An option to launch individual torpedoes is available.

Anti-air Armament:

  • AA defense: 4×4 12.7 mm, 4×4 40.0 mm, 4×2 102.0 mm.

  • AA defense short-range: continuous damage per second – 21, hit probability – 85 %, action zone 0.1-1.5 km;

  • AA defense mid-range: continuous damage per second – 126, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-2.5 km;

  • AA defense long-range: continuous damage per second – 60, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-5.8 km;

  • Number of explosions in a salvo – 2, damage within an explosion – 1050, action zone 3.5 – 5.8 km.

Maneuverability and Concealment:

  • Maximum speed – 30.0 kt.

  • Turning circle radius – 640 m.

  • Rudder shift time – 9.1 s.

  • Surface detectability – 12.6 km.

  • Air detectability – 6.4 km.

  • Detectability after firing main guns in smoke – 6.9 km.

Available Consumables:

  • 1 slot – Damage Control Party

  • 2 slot – Repair Party (Duration time 28 s; HP per second 161; reload time 120 (80) s; charges 2(3))

  • 3 slot – Hydroacoustic Search (Duration time 180 s; torpedo and ship detection range 3.0 km; reload time 180 (120) s; charges 2 (3))

Tier VI British Cruiser Devonshire

Tier VI - Devonshire

HMS Devonshire, pennant number 39, was part of the County-class of heavy cruisers from the Royal Navy or more precisely, from the London sub-class.

The ship saw active service during World War II with the Home Fleet, supporting operations in Norway as well as Operations of the Free French forces in Africa. She was also part of the escort of the First Convoy to the Soviet Union in 1941 and supported the Allied Invasion of Madagascar in 1942.

She spent the rest of the war escorting convoys, aircraft carriers and, after Germany surrendered, 2 German cruisers. After 1947, the ship was converted into a training ship and was scrapped in 1954.

Health Pool and Armor:

  • Hit points – 34400.
  • Plating – 16 mm.

Main Armament:

  • Main battery – 4×2 203 mm.
  • Firing range – 14.0 km.
  • Maximum HE shell damage – 2850.
  • Chance to cause fire – 15%.
  • HE initial velocity – 814 m/s.
  • Maximum AP shell damage – 4500.
  • AP initial velocity – 814 m/s.
  • Reload time – 12.0 s.
  • 180 degree turn time – 22.5 s.
  • Maximum dispersion – 130 m.
  • Sigma – 2.00.

Torpedo Armament:

  • Torpedo tubes – 2×4 533 mm.
  • Maximum damage – 15433.
  • Range – 8.0 km.
  • Speed – 61 kt.
  • Reload time – 96 s.
  • Launcher 180 degree turn time – 7.2 s.
  • Torpedo detectability – 1.3 km.
  • An option to launch individual torpedoes is available.

Anti-air Armament:

  • AA defense: 10×2 20.0 mm, 2×1 20.0 mm, 4×2 102.0 mm, 4×8 40.0 mm.
  • AA defense short-range: continuous damage per second – 158, hit probability – 85 %, action zone 0.1-2.0 km;
  • AA defense mid-range: continuous damage per second – 151, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-2.5 km;
  • AA defense long-range: continuous damage per second – 95, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-5.8 km;
  • Number of explosions in a salvo – 4, damage within an explosion – 1400, action zone 3.5 – 5.8 km.

Maneuverability and Concealment:

  • Maximum speed – 31.2 kt.
  • Turning circle radius – 710 m.
  • Rudder shift time – 7.8 s.
  • Surface detectability – 11.5 km.
  • Air detectability – 6.6 km.
  • Detectability after firing main guns in smoke – 6.4 km.

Available Consumables:

  • 1 slot – Damage Control Party
  • 2 slot – Repair Party (Duration time 28 s; HP per second 172; reload time 120 (80) s; charges 2(3))
  • 3 slot – Hydroacoustic Search (Duration time 180 s; torpedo and ship detection range 3.0 km; reload time 180 (120) s; charges 2 (3))

Tier VII British Cruiser Surrey

Tier VII - Surrey

Starting from here, we enter the realm of the ships that never went past the design board. Let’s start with the HMS Surrey.

HMS Surrey and HMS Northumberland (design Y) were meant to be the successors to the Norfolk sub-class of heavy cruisers. The design was meant to be a 9 900 tons Heavy cruiser armed with 8 203 mm guns in 4 twin turrets 2 quadruple torpedo launchers.

In the end, the ships were canceled by the government as well as the following designs.

Health Pool and Armor:

  • Hit points – 35300.
  • Plating – 16 mm.

Main Armament:

  • Main battery – 4×2 203 mm.
  • Firing range – 14.8 km.
  • Maximum HE shell damage – 2850.
  • Chance to cause fire – 15%.
  • HE initial velocity – 814 m/s.
  • Maximum AP shell damage – 4500.
  • AP initial velocity – 814 m/s.
  • Reload time – 11.0 s.
  • 180 degree turn time – 22.5 s.
  • Maximum dispersion – 135 m.
  • Sigma – 2.00.

Torpedo Armament:

  • Torpedo tubes – 2×4 533 mm.
  • Maximum damage – 15867.
  • Range – 8.0 km.
  • Speed – 61 kt.
  • Reload time – 96 s.
  • Launcher 180 degree turn time – 7.2 s.
  • Torpedo detectability – 1.3 km.
  • An option to launch individual torpedoes is available.

Anti-Air Armament:

  • AA defense: 4×4 40.0 mm, 12×2 20.0 mm, 6×2 102.0 mm, 4×8 40.0 mm.
  • AA defense short-range: continuous damage per second – 165, hit probability – 85 %, action zone 0.1-2.0 km;
  • AA defense mid-range: continuous damage per second – 252, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-2.5 km;
  • AA defense long-range: continuous damage per second – 74, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-5.8 km;
  • Number of explosions in a salvo – 3, damage within an explosion – 1190, action zone 3.5 – 5.8 km.

Maneuverability and Concealment:

  • Maximum speed – 30.0 kt.
  • Turning circle radius – 660 m.
  • Rudder shift time – 9.4 s.
  • Surface detectability – 11.2 km.
  • Air detectability – 6.3 km.
  • Detectability after firing main guns in smoke – 6.2 km.

Available Consumables:

  • 1 slot – Damage Control Party
  • 2 slot – Repair Party (Duration time 28 s; HP per second 176; reload time 120 (80) s; charges 2(3))
  • 3 slot – Hydroacoustic Search (Duration time 180 s; torpedo and ship detection range 3.0 km; reload time 180 (120) s; charges 2 (3))
  • 4 slot – Spotting Aircraft (Duration time 100 s; main battery firing range +20.0%; reload time 360 (240) s; charges 3 (4))

Tier VIII British Cruiser Bedford

Tier VIII - Bedford

The Bedford is based on a 15 500 ton cruiser design from 1940. The design was armed with 9 203 mm guns in 3 triple turrets. The initial design wasn’t planning for any torpedo tube.

Health Pool and Armor:

  • Hit points – 43800.
  • Plating – 25 mm.

Main Armament:

  • Main battery – 3×3 203 mm.
  • Firing range – 15.7 km.
  • Maximum HE shell damage – 2850.
  • Chance to cause fire – 15%.
  • HE initial velocity – 814 m/s.
  • Maximum AP shell damage – 4500.
  • AP initial velocity – 814 m/s.
  • Reload time – 11.0 s.
  • 180 degree turn time – 22.5 s.
  • Maximum dispersion – 141 m.
  • Sigma – 2.00.

Torpedo Armament:

  • Torpedo tubes – 2×4 533 mm.
  • Maximum damage – 15533.
  • Range – 10.0 km.
  • Speed – 62 kt.
  • Reload time – 96 s.
  • Launcher 180 degree turn time – 7.2 s.
  • Torpedo detectability – 1.3 km.
  • An option to launch individual torpedoes is available.

Anti-Air Armament:

  • AA defense: 6×4 40.0 mm, 16×2 20.0 mm, 6×2 113.0 mm.
  • AA defense short-range: continuous damage per second – 207, hit probability – 85 %, action zone 0.1-2.0 km;
  • AA defense mid-range: continuous damage per second – 168, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-3.5 km;
  • AA defense long-range: continuous damage per second – 133, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-5.8 km;
  • Number of explosions in a salvo – 6, damage within an explosion – 1470, action zone 3.5 – 5.8 km.

Maneuverability and Concealment:

  • Maximum speed – 33.0 kt.
  • Turning circle radius – 720 m.
  • Rudder shift time – 10.7 s.
  • Surface detectability – 12.4 km.
  • Air detectability – 7.7 km.
  • Detectability after firing main guns in smoke – 7.0 km.

Available Consumables:

  • 1 slot – Damage Control Party
  • 2 slot – Repair Party (Duration time 20 s; HP per second 876.0; reload time 120 (80) s; charges 1 (2))
  • 3 slot – Hydroacoustic Search (Hydroacoustic Search (Duration time 180 s; torpedo and ship detection range 3.0 km; reload time 180 (120) s; charges 2 (3))
  • 4 slot – Spotting Aircraft (Duration time 100 s; main battery firing range +20.0%; reload time 360 (240) s; charges 3 (4))

Tier IX British Cruiser Drake

Tier IX - Drake

The Drake is where we start seeing big guns for the British cruisers. During 1939 and 1940, Winston Churchill asked for cruisers that would be able to take down heavy cruisers built under the restrictions of the Washington Naval Treaty. These ships were meant to carry 234 mm guns while having the armor to resist 203 mm shells. The designs saw quite a few variations with either 9 or 12 guns in triple or even quadruple turrets.

In the end, the designs were abandoned, partially due to the cost that such a ship would require.

Health Pool and Armor:

  • Hit points – 46800.
  • Plating – 25 mm.

Main Armament:

  • Main battery – 3×3 234 mm.
  • Firing range – 15.9 km.
  • Maximum HE shell damage – 3350.
  • Chance to cause fire – 21%.
  • HE initial velocity – 881 m/s.
  • Maximum AP shell damage – 5550.
  • AP initial velocity – 881 m/s.
  • Reload time – 14.0 s.
  • 180 degree turn time – 18.0 s.
  • Maximum dispersion – 143 m.
  • Sigma – 2.05.

Torpedo Armament:

  • Torpedo tubes – 2×4 533 mm.
  • Maximum damage – 16767.
  • Range – 10.0 km.
  • Speed – 62 kt.
  • Reload time – 96 s.
  • Launcher 180 degree turn time – 7.2 s.
  • Torpedo detectability – 1.3 km.
  • An option to launch individual torpedoes is available.

Anti-Air Armament:

  • AA defense: 4×6 40.0 mm, 12×2 20.0 mm, 4×2 40.0 mm, 6×2 113.0 mm.
  • AA defense short-range: continuous damage per second – 154, hit probability – 85 %, action zone 0.1-2.0 km;
  • AA defense mid-range: continuous damage per second – 235, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-3.5 km;
  • AA defense long-range: continuous damage per second – 116, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-5.8 km;
  • Number of explosions in a salvo – 5, damage within an explosion – 1540, action zone 3.5 – 5.8 km.

Maneuverability and Concealment:

  • Maximum speed – 33.3 kt.
  • Turning circle radius – 760 m.
  • Rudder shift time – 11.0 s.
  • Surface detectability – 12.2 km.
  • Air detectability – 8.1 km.
  • Detectability after firing main guns in smoke – 7.6 km.

Available Consumables:

  • 1 slot – Damage Control Party
  • 2 slot – Repair Party (Duration time 20 s; HP per second 936.0; reload time 120 (80) s; charges 1 (2))
  • 3 slot – Hydroacoustic Search (Duration time 180 s; torpedo and ship detection range 3.0 km; reload time 180 (120) s; charges 2 (3))
  • 4 slot – Spotting Aircraft (Duration time 100 s; main battery firing range +20.0%; reload time 360 (240) s; charges 3 (4))

Tier X British Cruiser Goliath

Tier X - Goliath

And here it is, the pinnacle of the British heavy cruiser branch, the Goliath! First thing first, unpopular opinion, I actually like the look of the ship.

Second thing, the lack of a Spotting Aircraft annoys me a lot since it means that the Drake can have a better range than her. HOWEVER, back when Wargaming teased the ship, I noticed this:

helipad.png

The ship has a helipad, adding her to the growing list of ships presenting one (République, Bourgogne, Bayard, Colbert and Slava have one as well). Now, would seriously be a great time to add helicopters. The ship with her fairly short 16.8 km range would certainly not spit on that.

As for what is the ship exactly, she has the same origin as the Drake. She is based on one of the heaviest designs of Treaty Cruiser Killer, carrying 12 234 mm guns in 4 triple turrets.

Health Pool and Armor:

  • Hit points – 58600.
  • Plating – 25 mm.

Main Armament:

  • Main battery – 4×3 234 mm.
  • Firing range – 16.8 km.
  • Maximum HE shell damage – 3350.
  • Chance to cause fire – 21%.
  • HE initial velocity – 881 m/s.
  • Maximum AP shell damage – 5550.
  • AP initial velocity – 881 m/s.
  • Reload time – 15.0 s.
  • 180 degree turn time – 18.0 s.
  • Maximum dispersion – 149 m.
  • Sigma – 2.05.

Torpedo Armament:

  • Torpedo tubes – 2×4 533 mm.
  • Maximum damage – 16767.
  • Range – 10.0 km.
  • Speed – 62 kt.
  • Reload time – 96 s.
  • Launcher 180 degree turn time – 7.2 s.
  • Torpedo detectability – 1.3 km.
  • An option to launch individual torpedoes is available.

Secondary Armament:

  • Secondary Armament: 6×2 113.0 mm

Anti-Air Armament:

  • AA defense: 7×6 40.0 mm, 19×2 20.0 mm, 6×2 40.0 mm, 6×2 113.0 mm.
  • AA defense short-range: continuous damage per second – 231, hit probability – 85 %, action zone 0.1-2.0 km;
  • AA defense mid-range: continuous damage per second – 371, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-3.5 km;
  • AA defense long-range: continuous damage per second – 126, hit probability – 90 %, action zone 0.1-5.8 km;
  • Number of explosions in a salvo – 6, damage within an explosion – 1610, action zone 3.5 – 5.8 km.

Maneuverability and Concealment:

  • Maximum speed – 33.0 kt.
  • Turning circle radius – 800 m.
  • Rudder shift time – 12.5 s.
  • Surface detectability – 14.0 km.
  • Air detectability – 8.7 km.
  • Detectability after firing main guns in smoke – 9.0 km.

Available consumables:

  • 1 slot – Damage Control Party
  • 2 slot – Repair Party (Duration time 20 s; HP per second 1172.0; reload time 120 (80) s; charges 1 (2))
  • 3 slot – Hydroacoustic Search (Duration time 180 s; torpedo and ship detection range 3.0 km; reload time 180 (120) s; charges 2 (3))

All stats are listed without crew and upgrade modifiers but with best available modules. The stats are subject to change during the testing.

About Author

15,466 thoughts on “World of Warships: Royal Navy Heavy Cruisers are coming!

  1. HMS Devonshire could certainly cruise in excess of 32 knots, whatever her design criteria might say. I know this because my father served aboard her for most of the war. He was with her in Alexandria, Egypt on 3rd Sept 1939 when war was declared and sailed with her on the 4th on her first war cruise.
    Also, in her history, you don’t mention the notable interception and sinking of the German Armed Merchant Cruiser ‘Atlantis’ in the South Atlantic. Atlantis was a ‘Q ship’, a merchant ship that had been armed with concealed guns. The operated by disguising themselves as ordinary friendly or neutral merchant vessels when they approached allied merchant ships. When they were close enough that their prey couldn’t escape they would run up the German colours and expose their concealed guns. Their victim would then be ordered not to send any radio signal and to heave to. It would then be either sent away with a German prize crew or, after evacuation of the ships crew, be sunk on the spot.

    On a,grammatical note; you should never use the word ‘the’ in front of HMS when referring to an RN (or RCN, RAN or RNZN) ship. So it should be either:
    HMS Devonshire
    or just
    the Devonshire
    but never, ever
    the HMS Devonshire.
    A small point, but it’s as easy to get it right as to get it wrong.

  2. really add helicopters … no thanks dd gameplay has already be trashed enough, don’t need yet another aircraft in the already packed skies and world of radar

  3. Well thank you very much for that precision and I’m really sorry for that mistake. I will correct that right away.

  4. I enjoy playing my Exeter, It would be nice to have a new something to British Heavy cruisers but we’ll just have to weight and see.

Comments are closed.

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