RZS Rohan (CL-1914)

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The Zealandian Navy had always been aware of the need for trade protection cruisers to guard the coasts and stop smuggling and other nefarious happenings. In the late 1880's and early 1890's, half a dozen 'cruisers' were built for this duty. And on those ships soldiered for 20 years before it was realised that those ships needed to be replaced. The needs that were pinpointed were, reasonable range to stay on station or trade route for as long as possible, an armament large enough to sink German cruisers that might be encountered, enough armour to survive the encounter, and enough speed to run down and catch their quarry.

In size the ships would be larger than the Town class cruisers being built by the Royal and Australian Navies. The guns would be the same twin 7.5" mounting used on the Vinyamar class Pre-Dreadnoughts and would outrange the German 5.9", while the shells would go straight through the German ships armour. Even the larger German Armoured Cruisers would have to be careful around these ships. Classed as 'Light' cruises they were more medium cruiser and were exactly what the Zealandian Navy wanted. Six were ordered in 1910-11 and completed in 1914-15. 

The Rohan class had a busy war chasing German raiders all over the Pacific, Indian and South Atlantic Oceans. Only the Angmar received damage from a mine when operating in and around the Dardanelles in late 1915. Through the 1920's the class was back to its primary duties as trade protection cruisers. All of the class went for a stint in the League of Nations Squadron chasing Pirates in and around the East Indies and South China Seas. Hot and humid duty, broken by moments of sheer terror when the Pirates who should have surrendered try to board your ship their razor sharp parangs ready to chop your head off. Rifles, revolvers, and light machine guns were an antidote to these moments of terror. The mid 1930's and these ships were knocking on the door of obsolescence and replacement. What saved the ships was Japan not signing the latest armament Treaty, releasing all Navies from further restrictions. These ships would be needed in their role of trade protection cruisers in the war that was showing on the horizon. From 1936 all six ships went through a specific Life Extension Refit. These refits were to replace and upgrade the propulsion systems, AA weaponry, and gunnery directors. The 20mm Hispano cannon made its debut through these ships refits and worked well until put under pressure when the 'lighter' land based construction showed a general strength weakness. These guns were replace with the Oerlikon 20mm guns as soon as they became available.
 

 

Single 4" anti-aircraft guns aboard the Rohan class cruisers. These guns started replacing the original low angle weapons from 1917 to 1926. The original bridge wing mounting was resited aft during the late 1930's refits.


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