HMS Laconia AMC-1940)
The Cunard line had done well out of the Admiralty with subsidies for
building ships that could be requisitioned for various uses in time of war. The
Laconia type passenger liners were a case in point. A quick and dirty conversion
could turn the ships into Armed Merchant Cruisers while plans were made for
further uses of the ships.
As an AMC the Laconia was armed with eight single 6" controlled by a rangefinder
on top of the bridge. The two 4.7" AA guns were local control and because of the
size of the Laconia could have the necessary large crew required for sustained
firing. Five single 20mm completed the armament.