Old training cruisers. (1905-1930)
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2023 - I have no idea why I kept these two groups
of cruisers past 1925 or so. They were no better than transports and even the
guns aboard were hardly worthstripping out for re-use. The two old ex-Chester
class CL's that I did a redraw on look very good - if you can forget they are 30
odd years old. I would have all three ships deleted and scrapped by 1930-35.
There were more modern ships coming to training ship status to replace them.
These two ships only lasted 2-3 years as light cruisers till they were
reduced to training ships in 1925-26. The main problem with the ships were the
propulsion system which was generally worn out and in need of replacement. Money
it was felt that could be better spent on new ships. As training ships the
armament was slowly reduced and replaced as more modern weaponry became
available through the years.
The broadside 6" and 3" were slowly removed and plated over, the space provided giving more room for cadets.
The guns removed were replaced by guns that were in use on the Venezuelan
Fleets light ships up to light cruiser size. 5.1" on AA mounts, 4" as fitted to
the old destroyers, and 40mm and 20mm as they became available. The two ships
were joined in the training fleet by the 2 Maracaibo class dreadnoughts in the
early 1930's.
| Displacement | 6,800 tons std 8,800 tons full load | |
| Length | 446 ft | |
| Breadth | 54.5 ft | |
| Draught | 21 ft | |
| Machinery | 2 shaft vertical triple-expansion steam engines, 23,000shp | |
| Speed | 22 knots | |
| Range | 4000 miles at 12 knots (2,200 nm at 21 knots) | |
| Armour | 1.5" side, 3" deck, 3" turrets | |
| Armament | Original 1916. 12 x 6" (2x2 8x1) 12 x 3" (12x1) 8 x 47mm (8x1)
|
As training ship 4 x 6" (2x2) 4 x 5.1" (4x1) 2 x 4" (2x1) 4 x 3" AA (4x1) 8 x 40mm (2x4) 8 x 20mm (8x1) |
| Aircraft | nil | |
| Torpedoes | nil | |
| Complement | 610 (including cadets) | |
| Notes | BAV Sucre BAV Bolivar |
|
