ARA Belgrano (CL-1932)
Not being limited to the 6,000 tons for cruisers the Germanic States were (by
the Versailles Treaty), the Argentine designers based their designs on the
German triple 5.9" turrets of the K class, with a standard 8,000 ton
displacement. This allowed for a better length to beam ratio, with better armour
and secondary/tertiary armaments.
These three ships were to replace some of the old Germanic States cruisers
obtained in the early 1920's but were now 15-20 years old, and showing their
age.
Completed in 1932-33, the ships quality was a vast improvement on the Rosario
class built just seven years before. High freeboard, deep draught these were the
perfect patrol cruisers. Unfortunately when they are put against bigger ships
than themselves, they lose. (See
Battle of the Straits of
Magellan)
Being some of the most modern ships in the fleet, the ships received priority
for the fitting of new parts. New AA weapons were added, AA gunnery controllers,
the biggest change being the replacement of the old single 3.4" with the modern
twin 88mm weapons.
| Displacement | 8,200 tons std, 10,400 tons full load | |
| Length | 584 ft | |
| Breadth | 60 ft | |
| Draught | 20 ft | |
| Machinery | 4 shaft Steam Turbines 75,000shp | |
| Speed | 32 knots | |
| Range | 8500 miles at 15 knots | |
| Armour | 3" side, 1.5" deck, 2" turrets | |
| Armament | 9 x 5.9" (3x3) 8 x 3.4" (8x1) 6 x 37mm (3x2) 6 x 20mm (6x1) |
9 x 5.9" (3x3) 12 x 88mm (6x2) 10 x 37mm (5x2) 18 x 20mm (2x4, 10x1) |
| Aircraft | 2 (no hangar) | |
| Torpedoes | 6 x 21" (2x3) | |
| Complement | 590 | |
| Notes | ARA Belgrano - sunk by Chilean BC Coquimbo, Straits of Magellan
20/06/1939 ARA Garibaldi - sunk defending relief convoy to Las
Malvinas 12/11/1939 by aircraft from HMAS Van Diemen. |
|
My first try for a moderate sized cruiser. Unfortunately this one had too many
US features rather than the 'German' look I was after.