Chester Class Training Cruiser,
Anti-aircraft ship.
While the Chester was an offshoot of the Town Class cruiser lineage, it was
built and completed at the same time as the Cambrian class in the 1915-16
period. Both Birkenhead and Chester were completed to slightly different
specifications. The main difference being in the propulsion systems, Birkenhead
was of mixed coal/oil fired boilers giving 25,000shp for 25 knots, while the
Chester was oil fired throughout which produced more power at 31,000shp for 26.5
knots. The Chester sailed into fame at Jutland with boy Cornwells VC. At wars
end both ships were offered back for sale to Greece who declined. Birkenhead was
sold in 1921 to Peru and replaced the old cruiser Almirante Grau. Chester was
kept as part of the training squadron for 2 years and was then again offered for
sale as the ship was a problem with the 5.5" guns while virtually all of the
other RN light cruisers were armed with 6". What saved Chester from the
scrapyard was the ordering of the 'G' class cruisers which were to be armed with
the 5.5" gun.
First drawing is of Chester as it appeared at Jutland May 1916.
After service as training ship Chester is converted to a CLA with the new 4.7" DP weapons.
