RKS Worawongsathirat (CA-1927)
The Khmer Navy had been quite happy producing light cruisers until the Washington Treaty brought in the new category 'Heavy' cruiser. The Python had the 15x7.6" guns as the main armament on an 18,000 ton battlecruiser. The decision was to stick with the 7.6" gun size or increase to the new 8" gun size nominated by the Treaty. In the end the Khmer Navy decided to stick with the 7.6" gun of a new more powerful type firing a 250lb shell compared to the earlier 220lb shell. But the Khmer designers were smart, they made the new guns backward compatible so they could fire the old shells, but the old guns could not fire the new shells. Three of the same triple turrets, as fitted to the Python, were to be placed aboard the new ships, fitted with the new guns. Three ships were ordered in 1923.
On completion of the three ships, they took the plum posting of
the 1st Cruiser Squadron at Phuket. The new twin 4" Dual Purpose mountings were
not available when the ships were completed. Space was provided for those
weapons and single 4" guns were fitted in the interim. Khmer suffered for twenty
years with no intermediate AA weapon until the license for the Bofors 40mm could
be obtained. The jump from the 25mm cannon to the 3" and 4" AA guns was
considerable. Some navies had 37mm and the 2 pounder pom pom AA guns, but Khmer
did not fit any of those weapons beyond trial stage. The 25mm went through three
models in service, 1910, 1928, and 1938 versions. Each model took the weapon a
step further from the hand clip loaded 1910 model (prone to jamming), the 1928
model had better cooling to solve the jamming problem, through to the, water
cooled, endless belt, 1938 model. The twin and quad 40mm turrets introduced in
1937-38 gave Khmer a very good AA weapon. When radar predictors were tied to the
mounts from 1942 onwards the accuracy and knockdown capability became excellent.
The three ships were in action with enemy shipping on more than one occasion
during the war. The Suriyenthrathibodi and four destroyers fought a night action
in 1943 against a convoy and its escort, clean sweeping the floor with three
merchantmen and three of the destroyer escort sunk with only minor damage to the
Khmer ships. The Worawongsathirat lasted a few more days in service than 42. It
was 1942 that would be the ships downfall. While steaming between Khmer and
Borneo the ship was set upon by fifteen divebombers. Despite the ships
impressive AA display, the ship was hit with four 1000lb bombs. Those bombs were
big enough to go straight through the Worawongsathirat's 2" armoured deck like
it was butter. Four hits of that size were more than enough, with the bottom of
the ship blown out, 4" magazines exploding, the Worawongsathirat quickly rolled
onto its side, then fully capsized and sank in minutes. The South China Seas
sharks had a field day.
| Displacement | 11,700 tons standard, 14,750 tons full load | |
| Length | 608 ft | |
| Breadth | 66 ft | |
| Draught | 21 ft | |
| Machinery | 2 shaft, steam turbines, 70,000shp | |
| Speed | 31 knots | |
| Range | 6000 miles at 10 knots | |
| Armour | 4" side, 2" deck, 4"/3"/2" turrets | |
| Armament | 9 x 7.6" (3x3) 7 x 4" AA (7x1) 16 x 25mm mod 1928 (16x1) |
9 x 7.6" (3x3) 10 x 4" AA (5x2) 18 x 40mm (4x4 1x2) 14 x 25mm mod 1928 (16x1) |
| Torpedoes | 6 x 21" (2x3) | removed 1942 |
| Complement | 690 | 720 |
| Notes | RKS Worawongsathirat RKS Intharachathirat RKS Suriyenthrathibodi |
|
The reign of Worawongsathirat lasted just 42 days. Governor Worawongsathirat
imprisoned the rightful heir to the throne and proclaimed himself Emperor.
Supporters of the true Emperor ousted Worawongsathirat and executed him.
