C class cruiser
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{|{{Infobox Ship Begin}}
{{Infobox Ship Image
|Ship image=[[Image:HMS Capetown.jpg|300px]]
|Ship caption=[[HMS Capetown (D88)|HMS ''Capetown'']]
}}
{{Infobox Ship Class Overview
|Name='''C'''
|Builders=
|Operators=[[Image:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px|RN Ensign]] [[Royal Navy]]
|Class before=[[Arethusa class cruiser (1913)|''Arethusa'' class]]
|Class after=[[Danae class cruiser|''Danae'' class]]
|Subclasses=''Caroline''<br />''Calliope''<br />''Cambrian''<br />''Centaur''<br />''Caledon''<br />''Ceres''<br />''Carlisle''
|Cost=
|Built range=
|In service range=
|In commission range=
|Total ships building=
|Total ships planned=
|Total ships completed=28
|Total ships cancelled=
|Total ships active=One, [[HMS Caroline (1914)|HMS ''Caroline'']]
|Total ships laid up=
|Total ships lost=Seven
|Total ships retired=
|Total ships preserved=
}}
{{Infobox Ship Characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=
|Ship type=[[light cruiser]]
|Ship tonnage=
|Ship displacement=4,180 tons (standard)<br />4,950 tons (full load)
|Ship tons burthen=
|Ship length={{convert|450|ft|m|abbr=on}} overall
|Ship beam={{convert|43|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught={{convert|14|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft=
|Ship depth=
|Ship hold depth=
|Ship decks=
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship ramps=
|Ship ice class=
|Ship power=
|Ship propulsion=2 shaft [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] geared turbines<br />6 boilers<br />40,000 [[Horsepower|shp]]
|Ship sail plan=
|Ship speed={{convert|29|kn|km/h|0}}
|Ship range={{convert|5900|nmi|km|-1}} at {{convert|10|kn|km/h|-1}}
|Ship endurance=
|Ship test depth=
|Ship boats=
|Ship capacity=
|Ship troops=
|Ship complement=334
|Ship crew=
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=5 [[British ordnance terms|BL]] 6 inch Mk XII (5x1)<br />2 [[QF 3 inch 20 cwt|QF 3 inch 20 cwt Mk I]] (2x1)<br />2 [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|QF 2-pounder gun]]s (2x1)<br />8 {{convert|21|in|mm|0|sing=on}} torpedo tubes (4x2)
|Ship armour=machinery spaces: 3 inch sides<br />magazines: 2¼ inch sides<br />deck: 1 inch
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
The '''C-class''' was a group of twenty-eight [[light cruiser]]s of the [[Royal Navy]], and were built in a sequence of seven classes known as the ''Caroline'' (six ships), ''Calliope'' (two ships), ''Cambrian'' (four ships), ''Centaur'' (two ships), ''Caledon'' (four ships), ''Ceres'' (five ships) and ''Carlisle'' (five ships) classes. They were built for the rough conditions of the [[North Sea]] and proved rugged, and capable, vessels, though they were quite small and cramped.
== The ''Caroline'' Class ==
The ''Caroline''-class were all ordered in July to August 1913, as the first six of eight "light armoured cruisers" under under the 1913 Programme. They were launched in 1914 or 1915 and commissioned in 1915. They had an armament of two single 6 in guns aft, eight 4 in guns and two 6 pounder guns. Their anti-aircraft (A/A) weaponry consisted of four 3 pounder guns. Their aft 6 in guns were superfiring and the class had three funnels. During the First World War, the ships of the class underwent a variety of alterations, including the removal of the {{convert|4|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns in ''Caroline'', ''Carysfort'' and ''Comus'', being replaced by two extra {{convert|6|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns, while ''Cleopatra'', ''Conquest'' and ''Cordelia'' retained one or two of the {{convert|4|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns, with two 2 pounder guns being added to some of the ships.
=== Ships ===
* [[HMS Caroline (1914)|HMS ''Caroline'']], built by Cammell Laird and Company, Birkenhead, laid down [[28 January]] [[1914]], launched [[29 September]] [[1914]], and completed December 1914. Became a drill ship for the [[Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve]] in April 1924 and still fulfills that role in Alexandra Dock, [[Belfast]].
* [[HMS Carysfort (1914)|HMS ''Carysfort'']], built by Pembroke Dockyard, laid down [[25 February]] [[1914]], launched [[14 November]] [[1914]], and completed June 1915. Sold for breaking up August 1931.
* [[HMS Cleopatra (1915)|HMS ''Cleopatra'']], built by Devonport Dockyard, laid down [[26 February]] [[1914]], launched [[14 January]] [[1915]], and completed June 1915. Sold for breaking up June 1931.
* [[HMS Comus (1914)|HMS ''Comus'']], built by [[Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson]], Wallsend on Tyne, laid down [[3 November]] [[1913]], launched [[16 December]] [[1914]], and completed January 1915. Sold for breaking up [[28 July]] [[1934]].
* [[HMS Conquest (1915)|HMS ''Conquest'']], built by Chatham Dockyard, laid down [[3 March]] [[1914]], launched [[20 January]] [[1915]], and completed June 1915. Sold for breaking up [[29 August]] [[1930]].
* [[HMS Cordelia (1914)|HMS ''Cordelia'']], built by Pembroke Dockyard, laid down [[21 July]] [[1913]], launched [[23 February]] [[1914]], and completed January 1913. Sold for breaking up [[31 July]] [[1923]].
== The ''Calliope'' class ==
The two ships of the ''Calliope'' sub-class - HMS ''Calliope'' and HMS ''Champion'' - were the last pair of the eight "light armoured cruisers" to be ordered in July to August 1914 under the 1913 Programme. They had all geared turbines, the first RN cruisers to be fitted with them. They also had increased [[belt armour]] and, ''Champion'' had just two screws. They were commissioned in mid to late 1915, as modifications to the ''Caroline'' with higher speeds and a more efficient boiler layout and the reduction in the number of funnels to two. The two ships had different machinery types for comparative purposes. ''Calliope'' and ''Champion'' underwent similar gun armament modifications to the ''Caroline'' class. They also had underwater tubes rather than the deck mounted weapons of the ''Caroline'' class and were given two twin deck mounted torpedo tubes during the war but these were later removed to reduce top weight.
=== Ships ===
; [[HMS Calliope (1914)|HMS ''Calliope'']]
:Built by Chatham Dockyard, laid down [[1 January]] [[1914]], launched [[17 December]] [[1914]], and completed June 1915. Sold for breaking up [[28 August]] [[1931]].
;[[HMS Champion (1915)|HMS ''Champion'']]
:Built by R. & W. Hawthorn Leslie and Company, Hebburn on Tyne, laid down [[9 March]] [[1914]], launched [[29 May]] [[1915]], and completed December 1915. Sold for breaking up [[28 July]] [[1934]].
== The ''Cambrian'' class ==
The ''Cambrian''-class were ordered in September 1914 under the 1914-15 Programme, and commissioned between 1915 and 1916. They had two funnels rather than the three in the ''Caroline'' class, following on from the developments in the ''Calliope'' subclass. The ''Cambrian''-class had similar armament to the previous sub-class, with its main armament being four {{convert|6|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns in single turrets. Their secondary armament consisted of eight {{convert|4|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns. They were later removed, with ''Canterbury'' and ''Champion'' retaining one single {{convert|4|in|mm|0|sing=on}} gun. The rest of the ships used either two to three {{convert|3|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns.
=== Ships ===
* [[HMS Cambrian (1915)|HMS ''Cambrian'']], built by Pembroke Dockyard, laid down [[8 December]] [[1914]], launched [[3 March]] [[1916]], and completed May 1916. Sold for breaking up [[28 July]] [[1934]].
* [[HMS Canterbury (1915)|HMS ''Canterbury'']], built by John Brown and Company, Clydebank, laid down [[14 October]] [[1914]], launched [[21 December]] [[1915]], and completed May 1916. Sold for breaking up [[28 July]] [[1934]].
* [[HMS Castor (1915)|HMS ''Castor'']], built by Cammell Laird, laid down [[28 October]] [[1914]], launched [[28 July]] [[1915]], and completed November 1915. Sold for breaking up [[30 July]] [[1936]].
* [[HMS Constance (1915)|HMS ''Constance'']], built by Cammell Laird, laid down [[25 January]] [[1915]], launched [[12 September]] [[1915]], and completed January 1916. Sold for breaking up [[8 June]] [[1936]].
== The ''Centaur'' class ==
The ''Centaur''-class were ordered in December 1914, and built using materials originally intended for two [[scout cruiser]]s to be built for [[Turkey]]. They were launched and commissioned in 1916. The class also had geared turbines as well as four screws. They retained the two funnels introduced to the C-class by the ''Cambrians''. Their main armament was five 6 in guns in single turrets. Their {{convert|4|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns were mostly replaced in a similar fashion to the previous sub-classes, with smaller calibre guns.
=== Ships ===
* [[HMS Centaur (1916)|HMS ''Centaur'']], built by [[Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Company]], Walker on Tyne, laid down [[24 January]] [[1915]], launched [[6 January]] [[1916]], and completed August 1916. Sold for breaking up February 1934.
* [[HMS Concord (1916)|HMS ''Concord'']], built by Armstrong, Whitworth, laid down [[1 February]] [[1915]], launched [[1 April]] [[1916]], and completed December 1916. Sold for breaking up August 1935.
== The ''Caledon'' class ==
{|{{Infobox Ship Begin}}
{{Infobox Ship Image
|Ship image=
|Ship caption=
}}
{{Infobox Ship Class Overview
|Name='''''Caledon'''''
|Builders=
|Operators=
|Class before=
|Class after=
|Subclasses=
|Cost=
|Built range=
|In service range=
|In commission range=
|Total ships building=
|Total ships planned=
|Total ships completed=Four
|Total ships cancelled=
|Total ships active=
|Total ships laid up=
|Total ships lost=Two
|Total ships retired=
|Total ships preserved=
}}
{{Infobox Ship Characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=
|Ship type=C class cruiser
|Ship tonnage=
|Ship displacement=4,180 tons (standard), 4,950 tons (full load)
|Ship tons burthen=
|Ship length={{convert|450|ft|m|abbr=on}} overall
|Ship beam={{convert|43|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught={{convert|14|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft=
|Ship depth=
|Ship hold depth=
|Ship decks=
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship ramps=
|Ship ice class=
|Ship power=
|Ship propulsion=2 shaft [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] geared turbines<br />6 boilers<br />40,000 [[Horsepower|shp]]
|Ship sail plan=
|Ship speed={{convert|29|kn|km/h|0}}
|Ship range={{convert|5900|nmi|km|-1}} at {{convert|10|kn|km/h|-1}}
|Ship endurance=
|Ship test depth=
|Ship boats=
|Ship capacity=
|Ship troops=
|Ship complement=334
|Ship crew=
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=5 [[British ordnance terms|BL]] 6 inch Mk XII (5x1)<br />2 [[QF 3 inch 20 cwt|QF 3 inch 20 cwt Mk I]] (2x1)<br />2 [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|2-pounder gun]]s (2x1)<br />8 {{convert|21|in|mm|0|sing=on}} torpedo tubes (4x2)
|Ship armour=machinery spaces: 3 inch sides<br />magazines: 2¼ inch sides<br />deck: 1 inch
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
[[Image:HMS Calypso.jpg|250px|thumb|left|HMS ''Calypso'']]
The ''Caledon''-class were all ordered in December [[1915]] and commissioned in 1917. They retained the two funnels of the previous two sub-classes. Their propulsion was slightly different from the previous sub-classes. Their superstructure was also slightly altered. They had a main armament of five {{convert|6|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns and a secondary armament of two 3 in guns, as-well as an AA armament of four 3 pounder guns. The surviving ships of the class survived to see [[World War II]], and underwent a number of modifications. Five 20 mm [[Oerlikon]] guns were added to all ships. ''Caledon'' herself had a different armament, as she underwent an extensive rebuild that saw her become an AA cruiser. She was armed with the effective {{convert|4|in|mm|0|sing=on}} gun, of which she had twelve, two [[40 mm Bofors]] and eight 20 mm Oerlikons.
=== Ships ===
* [[HMS Caledon (D53)|HMS ''Caledon'']], built by [[Cammell Laird]], laid down [[17 March]] [[1916]], launched [[25 November]] [[1916]], and completed March 1917. Became A/A ship in December 1943; sold for breaking up [[22 January]] [[1948]].
* [[HMS Calypso (D61)|HMS ''Calypso'']], built by Hawthorn Leslie, laid down [[7 February]] [[1916]], launched [[24 January]] [[1917]], and completed June 1917. Sunk by Italian submarine ''Bagnolini'' south of [[Crete]] [[12 June]] [[1940]].
* [[HMS Cassandra (1916)|HMS ''Cassandra'']], built by Vickers, Barrow in Furness, laid down March [[1916]], launched [[25 November]] [[1916]], and completed June [[1917]]. Sunk by mine in the Baltic [[5 December]] [[1918]].
* [[HMS Caradoc (D60)|HMS ''Caradoc'']], built by Scott's Shipuilding and Engineering Company, Greenock, laid down [[21 February]] [[1916]], launched [[23 December]] [[1916]], and completed June [[1917]]. Became a base ship April [[1944]], sold for breaking up May [[1946]].
{{clear}}
== The ''Ceres'' Class ==
{|{{Infobox Ship Begin}}
{{Infobox Ship Image
|Ship image=
|Ship caption=
}}
{{Infobox Ship Class Overview
|Name='''''Ceres'''''
|Builders=
|Operators=
|Class before=
|Class after=
|Subclasses=
|Cost=
|Built range=
|In service range=
|In commission range=
|Total ships building=
|Total ships planned=
|Total ships completed=Five
|Total ships cancelled=
|Total ships active=
|Total ships laid up=
|Total ships lost=Three
|Total ships retired=
|Total ships preserved=
}}
{{Infobox Ship Characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=
|Ship type=C class cruiser
|Ship tonnage=
|Ship displacement=4290 tons (standard)<br />5276 tons (full load)
|Ship tons burthen=
|Ship length={{convert|452|ft|m|abbr=on}} overall
|Ship beam={{convert|43.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught={{convert|14|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft=
|Ship depth=
|Ship hold depth=
|Ship decks=
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship ramps=
|Ship ice class=
|Ship power=
|Ship propulsion=2 shaft [[Brown-Curtis]] geared turbines<br />6 boilers<br />40,000 [[Horsepower|shp]]
|Ship sail plan=
|Ship speed={{convert|29.5|kn|km/h|0}}
|Ship range={{convert|5900|nmi|km|-1}} at {{convert|10|kn|km/h|-1}}<br />AA conversions: 3250 nm at 12kts
|Ship endurance=
|Ship test depth=
|Ship boats=
|Ship capacity=
|Ship troops=
|Ship complement=334
|Ship crew=
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament='''''Cardiff''''' & '''''Ceres''''':<br />5 [[British ordnance terms|BL]] 6 inch Mk XII (5x1)<br />2 [[QF 3 inch 20 cwt|QF 3 inch 20 cwt Mk I]] (2x1)<br />2 [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|2-pounder gun]]s (2x1)<br />8 {{convert|21|in|mm|0|sing=on}} torpedo tubes (4x2)<br />'''''Coventry''''' & '''''Curlew''''' (modified 1936)<br />10 4 inch Mk V (10x1)<br />16 [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|2-pounder gun]]s (2x8)<br />'''''Curacoa''''' (modified 1939)<br />8 4 inch Mk XIX (4x2)<br />4 [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|2-pounder gun]]s (4x1)
|Ship armour=machinery spaces: 3 inch sides<br />magazines: 2¼ inch sides<br />deck: 1 inch
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
[[Image:HMS Curacoa.jpg|thumb|left|HMS ''Curacoa'']]
The ''Ceres''-class were ordered in March to April [[1916]] and commissioned between 1917 and 1918. They were very "wet" at the bow, which was remedied in the subsequent ''Carlisle'' sub-class with the addition of a "trawler bow". Their main armament consisted of five {{convert|6|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns, while their secondary armament consisted of two {{convert|3|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns, of which a further one was later added to ''Ceres'' herself. Four 3 pounder guns were also fitted.
Three ships underwent extensive rebuilds during the 1930s, becoming AA cruisers, resulting in all previous armament being removed. The ships were ''Coventry'', ''Curacoa'' and ''Curlew'', with ''Curacoa'' being the last of the three to be rebuilt in 1939; the other two ships having been converted in 1935. ''Coventry'' and ''Curlew'' were given ten {{convert|4|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns (two later being removed from ''Coventry'') and sixteen {{convert|3|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns for their AA role. ''Curacoa'' had slightly different gun numbers, being armed with eight {{convert|4|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns and four {{convert|3|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns, and later on in WWII, four 20 mm Oerlikons. ''Cardiff'' and ''Ceres'' were to have undergone the same conversion, but this was prevented by the outbreak of war.
=== Ships ===
* [[HMS Cardiff (D58)|HMS ''Cardiff'']], built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan, laid down [[22 July]] [[1916]], launched [[12 April]] [[1917]], and completed June [[1917]]. Sold for breaking up [[23 January]] [[1946]].
* [[HMS Ceres (D59)|HMS ''Ceres'']], built by John Brown, laid down [[11 July]] [[1916]], launched [[24 March]] [[1917]], and completed June [[1917]]. Sold for breaking up [[5 April]] [[1946]].
* [[HMS Coventry (D43)|HMS ''Coventry'']], built by Swan Hunter, laid down [[4 August]] [[1916]], launched [[6 July]] [[1917]], and completed February [[1918]]. Became A/A ship in [[1937]]; sunk by aircraft off Tobruk in the Mediterranean [[14 September]] [[1942]].
* [[HMS Curacoa (D41)|HMS ''Curacoa'']], built by Pembroke Dockyard, laid down July [[1916]], launched [[5 May]] [[1917]], and completed February [[1918]]. Became A/A ship in [[1939]]; sunk in collision with [[RMS Queen Mary|RMS ''Queen Mary'']] north of Ireland [[2 October]] [[1942]].
* [[HMS Curlew (D42)|HMS ''Curlew'']], built by Vickers, laid down [[21 August]] [[1916]], launched [[5 July]] [[1917]], and completed December [[1917]]. Became A/A ship in [[1938]]; sunk by aircraft in Ofot Fjord, Norway, [[26 May]] [[1940]].
{{clear}}
== The ''Carlisle'' Class ==
{|{{Infobox Ship Begin}}
{{Infobox Ship Image
|Ship image=[[Image:HMS Carlisle.jpg|thumb]]
|Ship caption=HMS ''Carlisle''
}}
{{Infobox Ship Class Overview
|Name='''''Carlisle'''''
|Builders=
|Operators=
|Class before=
|Class after=
|Subclasses=
|Cost=
|Built range=
|In service range=
|In commission range=
|Total ships building=
|Total ships planned=
|Total ships completed=Five
|Total ships cancelled=
|Total ships active=
|Total ships laid up=
|Total ships lost=Two
|Total ships retired=
|Total ships preserved=
}}
{{Infobox Ship Characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=
|Ship type=C class cruiser
|Ship tonnage=
|Ship displacement=4200 tons (standard)<br />5300 tons (full load)
|Ship tons burthen=
|Ship length={{convert|452|ft|m|abbr=on}} overall
|Ship beam={{convert|43.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught={{convert|14|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft=
|Ship depth=
|Ship hold depth=
|Ship decks=
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship ramps=
|Ship ice class=
|Ship power=
|Ship propulsion=2 shaft [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] ([[Brown-Curtis]] in ''Colombo'' & ''Carlisle'') geared turbines<br />6 boilers<br />40,000 [[Horsepower|shp]]
|Ship sail plan=
|Ship speed={{convert|29.5|kn|km/h|0}}
|Ship range={{convert|5900|nmi|km|-1}} at {{convert|10|kn|km/h|-1}}
|Ship endurance=
|Ship test depth=
|Ship boats=
|Ship capacity=
|Ship troops=
|Ship complement=334
|Ship crew=
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament='''''Capetown''''' & '''''Colombo''''':<br />5 [[British ordnance terms|BL]] 6 inch Mk XII (5x1)<br />2 [[QF 3 inch 20 cwt|QF 3 inch 20 cwt Mk I]] (2x1)<br />2 [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|2-pounder gun]]s (2x1)<br />8 {{convert|21|in|mm|0|sing=on}} torpedo tubes (4x2)<br />'''''Cairo''''', '''''Carlisle''''' & '''''Calcutta''''' (as modified 1938/39):<br />8 4 inch Mk XIX (4x2)<br />4 [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|2-pounder gun]]s (1x4)
|Ship armour=machinery spaces: 3 inch sides<br />magazines: 2¼ inch sides<br />deck: 1 inch
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
The ''Carlisle''-class were ordered in June and July 1917 under the War Emergency Programme, and commissioned between 1918 and 1922. They differed from the previous sub-class, with the addition of a "trawler bow" which raised the bow higher, as-well as having no conning towers. They had an armament of five {{convert|6|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns in single turrets, while their secondary armament consisted of two {{convert|3|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns, four 3 pounder guns and two 2 pounder guns.
All ships of the class, except ''Colombo'' and ''Capetown'', were converted into AA cruisers in 1939, although ''Capetown'' received 6 20 mm guns and radar. Their main armament consisted of eight {{convert|4|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns in four twin turrets with varying numbers of 20 mm Oerlikon guns being added. ''Colombo'' was finally converted to an AA cruiser in 1942, with its armament consisting of eight {{convert|4|in|mm|0|sing=on}} guns and six 20 mm Oerlikons.
=== Ships ===
* [[HMS Cairo (D87)|HMS ''Cairo'']], built by Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, laid down [[28 November]] [[1917]], launched [[19 November]] [[1918]], and completed [[23 September]] [[1919]]. Became A/A ship in [[1939]]; torpedoed by Italian submarine ''Axum'' in the Mediterranean [[12 August]] [[1942]].
* [[HMS Calcutta (D82)|HMS ''Calcutta'']], built by Vickers, Barrow in Furness, laid down [[18 October]] [[1917]], launched [[9 July]] [[1918]], and completed August [[1919]]. Became A/A ship in [[1939]]; sunk by air attack during evacuation of Crete [[1 June]] [[1941]].
* [[HMS Capetown (D88)|HMS ''Capetown'']], built by Cammell Laird, laid down [[23 February]] [[1918]], launched [[28 June]] [[1919]] and then towed to Pembroke Dockyard where completed April [[1922]]. Sold for breaking up [[5 April]] [[1946]].
* [[HMS Carlisle (D67)|HMS ''Carlisle'']], (ex-''Cawnpore''), built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan, laid down [[2 October]] [[1917]], launched [[9 July]] [[1918]], and completed November [[1918]]. Became A/A ship in [[1939]]; became a base ship [[1944]]; sold for breaking up at Alexandria 1948.
* [[HMS Colombo (D89)|HMS ''Colombo'']], built by Fairfield, laid down [[8 December]] [[1917]], launched [[18 December]] [[1918]], and completed July [[1919]]. Became A/A ship in [[1943]]; sold for breaking up [[22 January]] [[1948]].
== First World War service ==
In March 1916, ''Cleopatra'' rammed and sank the [[German Empire|German]] destroyer [[German ship G.194|G.194]] while ''Cleopatra'' covered a raid at [[Tondern]]. Ships of the C-class were extensively involved later that year in the [[Battle of Jutland]]. In 1917, ''Centaur'' hit mines that blew her bow and stern off. Despite the extensive damage, ''Centaur'' survived and was repaired. The year also saw ships of the class involved in action at the [[Second Battle of Heligoland Bight]].
[[Image:HMS Cardiff leading the German high seas fleet.jpg|thumb|''Cardiff'' leading German battle-cruisers into [[Rosyth]] at the end of the War]]
In 1918, ''Cardiff'' had the honour of leading the defeated German [[High Seas Fleet]] to the [[River Forth]], where the German ships would be held before being moved to various other ports.
No C-class ships were lost during the First World War; however, in December 1918, ''Cassandra'' hit a mine and subsequently sank.
Ships of the C-class performed a variety of duties after World War I, including service on overseas stations. In 1919, ''Curacoa'' hit a mine that badly damaged her, but she survived and was repaired. The ''Caroline'', ''Cambrian'' and ''Centaur'' classes were all scrapped or consigned to minor roles, such as training ships, by the 1930s.
== Conversion ==
In the mid-1930s it was decided to modernize and refit the C class cruisers for anti-aircraft work. The aim was to convert all 13 cruisers of the late C-classes, the ''Caledon''s, ''Ceres''s and ''Carlisle''s. The conversions between 1935 and 1936 of HMS ''Coventry'' and HMS ''Curlew'' served as prototypes.
''Coventry'' and ''Curlew'' first had all armament removed. This was replaced with 10 single mount 4 inch high angle (HA) guns and two eight-barreled [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|2 pounder "pom-pom" mounts]]. The previous gun directors were removed and replaced with two suitable for anti-aircraft gun control. Only limited structural work was carried out to keep costs down, but the masts were altered. In 1938 the aft pom-pom was removed because of shortages and given to other ships - the replacement was two quadruple 0.5 inch [[Vickers machine gun]] mounts.
The modifications were considered successful, and the conversion of the other eleven ships was drawn up. This was delayed though; ''Cairo'' and ''Calcutta'' did not start conversion until 1938. Instead of single guns, they were to receive twin HA mounts except that one mount was given over to a quad pom-pom. In mid 1939 ''Carlisle'' and ''Curacoa'' went in for their conversion but the conversion work ceased on the outbreak of war.
== Second World War service ==
In the [[World War II|Second World War]], the ''Caledon'', ''Ceres'' and ''Carlisle'' class ships participated, despite their age.
''Calypso'' caught the German blockade-runner ''[[Konsul Hendrik Fisser]]'' in 1939. That same year, ''Caradoc'' intercepted the German tanker ''Emmy Friedrich'', whose crew subsequently scuttled her. A number of ships took part in the [[Norwegian campaign]] in 1940.
The C-class were also extensively used in the [[Mediterranean Sea]]; the first notable engagement by a ship of the class being's ''Coventry'''s participation in the [[Battle of Cape Spartivento]] in 1940.
In 1941, ''Calcutta'' and ''Carlisle'' took part in the [[Battle of Cape Matapan]], in which a number of [[Military history of Italy during World War II|Italian]] warships were sunk. C-class cruisers also took part in the [[Battle of Crete|campaign and evacution of Crete]], coming up against heavy [[Military history of Germany during World War II|German]] opposition from the air. In 1942, ''Carlisle'' took part in the [[Second Battle of Sirte]].
In 1942/43 ''Colombo'' and ''Caledon'' went in for their refits - getting 40 mm Bofors and 20 mm Oerlikons alongside the twin mounts.
In 1943, ''Carlisle'' was heavily damaged by German aircraft, though did not sink. The damage did, however, knock the ship out of the war.
In 1944, ''Capetown'' provided support to the [[Battle of Normandy|Normandy Landings]], bombarding German positions.
Six ships of the C-class were lost during the war: ''Cairo'' was sunk in 1942 by the Italian submarine [[Italian submarine Axum|''Axum'']] during [[Operation Pedestal]] (the pivotal resupply of Malta); ''Calcutta'' was attacked and sunk by German aircraft during the evacuation of Crete; ''Calypso'' was sunk by the Italian submarine [[Italian submarine Bagnolini|''Bagnolini'']] in 1940; ''Coventry'' was heavily damaged by [[Luftwaffe|German aircraft]] while covering a raid on [[Tobruk]] in 1942, forcing [[HMS Zulu (F18)|HMS ''Zulu'']] to scuttle her; ''Curacoa'' was sunk after colliding with the ocean liner [[RMS Queen Mary|RMS ''Queen Mary'']] in 1942; and ''Curlew'' was sunk by German aircraft off [[Narvik]] during the Norwegian campaign in 1940.
== The survivor ==
[[Image:HMS Caroline 1914.jpg|left|thumb|HMS ''Caroline'' sporting her three flags (From left to right) [[Union Flag]], [[Commodore (RN)|Commodore]] [[RNR]]'s [[Burgee]], [[White Ensign|Flag of the Royal Navy (White Ensign)]].]]
[[HMS Caroline (1914)|HMS ''Caroline'']] remains in service as of 2004, serving as HQ and training ship to the [[Royal Naval Reserve]] in [[Northern Ireland]], duties that she first started in 1924. Her armament was removed many decades ago, but in nearly every other aspect still resembles the ship that fought at Jutland in 1916, and remains in very good condition. There are plans to bring her to [[Portsmouth]], where she would be berthed next to [[HMS Warrior (1860)|HMS ''Warrior'']] as a museum-ship.
==See also==
{{Commonscat}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
*{{Colledge}}
*[[Jane's Fighting Ships|Jane's Fighting Ships of World War One]] (1919), Jane's Publishing Company
*[http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/types.html?type=Light+cruiser Allied light cruisers at Uboat.net]
*[http://www.worldwar1.co.uk/lightcru.htm WWI British light cruisers]
{{C_class_cruiser}}
{{WWIIBritishShips}}
[[Category:Cruiser classes]]
[[Category:C class cruisers| ]]
[[cs:Třída C (lehké křižníky)]]
[[it:Classe C (incrociatore)]]