HMS Perseus (R51): Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier}} |
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{{other ships|HMS Perseus}} |
{{other ships|HMS Perseus}} |
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{{Use British English|date=February 2017}} |
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|Ship country=United Kingdom |
|Ship country=United Kingdom |
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|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}} |
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}} |
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|Ship name= |
|Ship name=''Perseus'' |
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|Ship namesake=[[Perseus]] |
|Ship namesake=[[Perseus]] |
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|Ship ordered=14 March 1942 |
|Ship ordered=14 March 1942 |
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|Header caption= |
|Header caption= |
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|Ship class= |
|Ship class={{sclass|Colossus|aircraft carrier|0}} aircraft maintenance ship |
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|Ship displacement=*{{convert|12265|LT|t}} ([[Standard displacement#Standard displacement|standard]]) |
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|12265|LT|t}} ([[Standard displacement#Standard displacement|standard]]) |
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*{{convert|16500|LT|t}} ([[deep load]]) |
*{{convert|16500|LT|t}} ([[deep load]]) |
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|Ship sensors=6 × [[List of World War II British naval radar|Type 262]] gunnery radars |
|Ship sensors=6 × [[List of World War II British naval radar|Type 262]] gunnery radars |
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|Ship armament=*6 × 4 - [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|2-pounder]] [[anti-aircraft gun]]s |
|Ship armament=*6 × 4 - [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|2-pounder]] [[anti-aircraft gun]]s |
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*19 × 1 - [[Bofors 40 mm|40 mm Bofors]] anti-aircraft guns |
*19 × 1 - [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm Bofors]] anti-aircraft guns |
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|Ship armour= |
|Ship armour= |
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|Ship aircraft=None |
|Ship aircraft=None |
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'''HMS ''Perseus''''' was a {{sclass |
'''HMS ''Perseus''''' was a {{sclass|Colossus|carrier|0}} light fleet [[aircraft carrier]] built for the [[Royal Navy]] during [[World War II]]. The ship was initially named HMS ''Edgar'', but she was renamed in 1944 when the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] decided to convert her into an aircraft maintenance carrier. She was completed in 1945, after the end of World War II, and she made a trip to Australia late in the year. Upon her return to the UK in early 1946, ''Perseus'' was placed in [[Reserve Fleet (United Kingdom)|reserve]]. The ship was recommissioned in 1950 to serve as the trials ship for the [[steam catapult]] then under development. Over 1,600 test launches were conducted before the catapult was removed in 1952 and she was converted for use as a ferry carrier to transport aircraft, troops and equipment overseas. She was reduced to reserve again in 1954 and sold for [[ship breaking|scrap]] in 1958. |
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==Design, description and construction== |
==Design, description and construction== |
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The ''Colossus''-class carriers were intended to meet a shortage of naval flight decks. Their design was based on that of the {{sclass |
The ''Colossus''-class carriers were intended to meet a shortage of naval flight decks. Their design was based on that of the {{sclass|Illustrious|aircraft carrier|4}}, but modified to permit rapid construction in commercial yards. ''Perseus'' was not completed to her original design; the success of the maintenance aircraft carrier {{HMS|Unicorn|I72|2}} prompted modification of the ship, whilst under construction, to an aircraft maintenance ship without [[aircraft catapult]]s.<ref name="Friedman, pp. 237, 239">Friedman, pp. 237, 239</ref> |
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''Perseus'' had an [[length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|695|ft|m|1}}, a beam of {{convert|80|ft|4|in|m|1}}, and a [[draft (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|23|ft|m|1}} at [[deep load]]. She displaced {{convert|12265|LT}} at [[Displacement (ship)#Standard displacement|standard load]]. Each of the ship's two sets of [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] geared [[steam turbine]]s drove one propeller shaft. Steam was supplied by four Admiralty three-drum [[water-tube boiler]]s operating at a pressure of {{convert|400|psi|kPa kg/cm2|0|abbr=on|lk=on}}. The turbines were designed for a total of {{convert|40,000|shp|lk=in}} and gave ''Perseus'' a speed of {{convert|25|kn|lk=in}}.<ref name=l6>Lenton, p. 107</ref> The ship carried {{convert|3196|LT}} of [[fuel oil]] which gave her a range of {{convert|8500|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|11|kn}}.<ref name=h7>Hobbs, p. 73</ref> |
''Perseus'' had an [[length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|695|ft|m|1}}, a beam of {{convert|80|ft|4|in|m|1}}, and a [[draft (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|23|ft|m|1}} at [[deep load]]. She displaced {{convert|12265|LT}} at [[Displacement (ship)#Standard displacement|standard load]]. Each of the ship's two sets of [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] geared [[steam turbine]]s drove one propeller shaft. Steam was supplied by four Admiralty three-drum [[water-tube boiler]]s operating at a pressure of {{convert|400|psi|kPa kg/cm2|0|abbr=on|lk=on}}. The turbines were designed for a total of {{convert|40,000|shp|lk=in}} and gave ''Perseus'' a speed of {{convert|25|kn|lk=in}}.<ref name=l6>Lenton, p. 107</ref> The ship carried {{convert|3196|LT}} of [[fuel oil]] which gave her a range of {{convert|8500|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|11|kn}}.<ref name=h7>Hobbs, p. 73</ref> |
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In order maximize space for workshops and stores, the ship's [[arresting gear]] and catapult were not fitted and all the facilities required for flying operations were removed. Two large deckhouses were added to port of the island and on the rear of the flight deck. The ship had a single [[hangar]], {{convert|17|ft|6|in}} high. Aircraft were transported between the hangars and the flight deck by two [[Elevator#Aircraft elevators|aircraft lifts]] (elevators); each measured {{convert|34|x|45|ft|m|1}}.<ref name=f7>Friedman, p. 367</ref> Two large [[crane (machine)|crane]]s were mounted on the flight deck to move aircraft and stores to and from the flight deck. The ship carried two small self-propelled [[lighter (barge)|lighters]] to allow unflyable aircraft to be transferred between ships or to shore facilities. Bulk [[petrol]] storage consisted of {{convert|98,600|impgal|l usgal}}.<ref>Hobbs, pp. 69, 73</ref> The ship's crew totalled 854, plus 222 in her aircraft repair department.<ref name=l6/> |
In order maximize space for workshops and stores, the ship's [[arresting gear]] and catapult were not fitted and all the facilities required for flying operations were removed. Two large deckhouses were added to port of the island and on the rear of the flight deck. The ship had a single [[hangar]], {{convert|17|ft|6|in}} high. Aircraft were transported between the hangars and the flight deck by two [[Elevator#Aircraft elevators|aircraft lifts]] (elevators); each measured {{convert|34|x|45|ft|m|1}}.<ref name=f7>Friedman, p. 367</ref> Two large [[crane (machine)|crane]]s were mounted on the flight deck to move aircraft and stores to and from the flight deck. The ship carried two small self-propelled [[lighter (barge)|lighters]] to allow unflyable aircraft to be transferred between ships or to shore facilities. Bulk [[petrol]] storage consisted of {{convert|98,600|impgal|l usgal}}.<ref>Hobbs, pp. 69, 73</ref> The ship's crew totalled 854, plus 222 in her aircraft repair department.<ref name=l6/> |
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Aircraft could undergo maintenance, and most functional and equipment tests carried out aboard - either in the hangar or on the deck. Some components |
Aircraft could undergo maintenance, and most functional and equipment tests carried out aboard - either in the hangar or on the deck. Some components could be repaired on board, but other work was to be carried out by the workshops on the engine repair and component repair ships that would accompany the maintenance carrier.<ref>Brown p24-25</ref> |
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The ship was equipped with six quadruple mounts for the {{convert|40|mm|adj=on|1}} [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|QF 2-pounder Mk VIII gun]] ("pom-pom").<ref name=h7/> These gun mounts could depress to −10° and elevate to a maximum of +80°. The Mk VIII 2-pounder gun fired a {{convert|40|mm|adj=on}} {{convert|0.91|lb|kg|adj=on}} shell at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|1920|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}} to a distance of {{convert|3800|yd|m}}. The gun's rate of fire was approximately 96–98 rounds per minute.<ref>Campbell, pp. 71–74</ref> She was also fitted with 19 [[Bofors 40 mm]] [[autocannon]] in single mounts.<ref name=h7/> The Bofors fired a {{convert|0.719|lb|kg|adj=on}} shell at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|2890|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}. It had a rate of fire of about 120 rounds per minute and a maximum range of {{convert|10750|yd|m}}.<ref>Campbell, pp. 67, 70</ref> All of the guns were mounted on the flight deck, not in [[sponson]]s on the side of the hull like her half-sisters that were completed as aircraft carriers.<ref>Hobbs, p. 68</ref> Each "pom-pom" mount was provided with a separate [[Fire-control system#Naval fire control|fire-control director]] fitted with a [[List of World War II British naval radar|Type 262]] gunnery radar.<ref name=l6/> |
The ship was equipped with six quadruple mounts for the {{convert|40|mm|adj=on|1}} [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|QF 2-pounder Mk VIII gun]] ("pom-pom").<ref name=h7/> These gun mounts could depress to −10° and elevate to a maximum of +80°. The Mk VIII 2-pounder gun fired a {{convert|40|mm|adj=on}} {{convert|0.91|lb|kg|adj=on}} shell at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|1920|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}} to a distance of {{convert|3800|yd|m}}. The gun's rate of fire was approximately 96–98 rounds per minute.<ref>Campbell, pp. 71–74</ref> She was also fitted with 19 [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|Bofors 40 mm]] [[autocannon]] in single mounts.<ref name=h7/> The Bofors fired a {{convert|0.719|lb|kg|adj=on}} shell at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|2890|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}. It had a rate of fire of about 120 rounds per minute and a maximum range of {{convert|10750|yd|m}}.<ref>Campbell, pp. 67, 70</ref> All of the guns were mounted on the flight deck, not in [[sponson]]s on the side of the hull like her half-sisters that were completed as aircraft carriers.<ref>Hobbs, p. 68</ref> Each "pom-pom" mount was provided with a separate [[Fire-control system#Naval fire control|fire-control director]] fitted with a [[List of World War II British naval radar|Type 262]] gunnery radar.<ref name=l6/> |
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''Perseus'' was ordered on 14 March 1942 under the name ''Edgar''. She was [[Keel|laid down]] at [[Vickers-Armstrong]] in [[Newcastle-upon-Tyne]] on 1 January 1943 and was [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] on 26 March 1944.<ref name=l8>Lenton, p. 108</ref> The ship was renamed ''Perseus'' in July 1944,<ref>Colledge, p. 110</ref> after the decision had been made to convert her to an aircraft maintenance ship,<ref name="Friedman, pp. 237, 239"/> and she was completed on 19 October 1945.<ref name=l8/> |
''Perseus'' was ordered on 14 March 1942 under the name ''Edgar''. She was [[Keel laying|laid down]] at [[Vickers-Armstrong]] in [[Newcastle-upon-Tyne]] on 1 January 1943 and was [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] on 26 March 1944.<ref name=l8>Lenton, p. 108</ref> The ship was renamed ''Perseus'' in July 1944,<ref>Colledge, p. 110</ref> after the decision had been made to convert her to an aircraft maintenance ship,<ref name="Friedman, pp. 237, 239"/> and she was completed on 19 October 1945.<ref name=l8/> |
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==Service== |
==Service== |
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[[File:HMS Perseus (R51).jpg|thumb|left |
[[File:HMS Perseus (R51).jpg|thumb|left|''Perseus'' with two [[de Havilland Hornet|de Havilland Sea Hornet]]s and a [[Short Sturgeon]] on deck and the experimental steam catapult fitted during trials in the early 1950s.]] |
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''Perseus'' arrived in [[HMNB Portsmouth|Portsmouth]] on 24 October 1945, after the end of World War II, to begin [[Glossary of nautical terms# |
''Perseus'' arrived in [[HMNB Portsmouth|Portsmouth]] on 24 October 1945, after the end of [[World War II]], to begin [[Glossary of nautical terms (M-Z)#working up|working up]] and sailed on 17 November for Australia. She arrived in [[Sydney]] on 21 December, just in time to take charge of winding up the "Air Train"<ref group=Note>The "Air Train" was the entire system of depots, repair centres, repair ships and ferry carriers that supplied the fleet carriers of the British Pacific Fleet with flyable aircraft.</ref> that had supported the [[British Pacific Fleet]]. The ship departed [[Melbourne]] on 26 March 1946, carrying a load of aircraft to return to the [[United Kingdom]], and arrived at [[Rosyth]] on 17 May where she was placed in reserve.<ref>Hobbs, p. 75</ref> |
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In 1950, ''Perseus'' was fitted with an experimental steam catapult. The catapult was placed on top of the carrier's existing flight deck and the deckhouse to port of the [[Glossary of nautical terms# |
In 1950, ''Perseus'' was fitted with an experimental steam catapult. The catapult was placed on top of the carrier's existing flight deck and the deckhouse to port of the [[Glossary of nautical terms (A-L)#island|island]] was removed to accommodate it. Some 1,560 launches were made by the catapult, beginning with over 1,000 wheeled dead-loads, of gradually increasing weight, and moving on to unmanned aircraft with their wings truncated to reduce their ability to glide. The final tests were made by manned aircraft of every type flown by the [[Fleet Air Arm]]. After this, the ship arrived in [[Philadelphia]] on 14 January 1952 to demonstrate the catapult to the United States Navy. Between them, some 127 launches of manned aircraft were made by the British and the Americans. ''Perseus'' arrived back at Portsmouth on 21 March and had the catapult removed. All of her remaining maintenance equipment was removed and she was converted for use as a ferry carrier.<ref>Hobbs, pp. 78–79</ref> |
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On 10 December, the ship carried the [[Westland Whirlwind (helicopter)|Westland Whirlwind]]s of [[848 Naval Air Squadron|848 Squadron]]<ref>Sturtivant, p. 331</ref> to Singapore, arriving on 8 January 1953. She arrived back at Portsmouth on 11 February and then embarked part of the 100 [[Grumman Avenger]]s transferred to the Royal Navy under the terms of the [[Mutual Defense Assistance Act]] in [[Norfolk, Virginia]] on 16 March. She arrived back in Norfolk to load the remaining aircraft on 29 April. ''Perseus'' was fitted with temporary grandstand seating ("[[bleacher]]s") in June for [[Very Important Person]]s and the press during [[Elizabeth II]]'s [[Coronation Fleet Review]] in [[Spithead]].<ref name=h2/> Later in the year she made a trip transporting troops and equipment to the [[Far East]].<ref name=h2>Hobbs, p. 82</ref> |
On 10 December, the ship carried the [[Westland Whirlwind (helicopter)|Westland Whirlwind]]s of [[848 Naval Air Squadron|848 Squadron]]<ref>Sturtivant, p. 331</ref> to Singapore, arriving on 8 January 1953. She arrived back at Portsmouth on 11 February and then embarked part of the 100 [[Grumman Avenger]]s transferred to the Royal Navy under the terms of the [[Mutual Defense Assistance Act]] in [[Norfolk, Virginia]], on 16 March. She arrived back in Norfolk to load the remaining aircraft on 29 April. ''Perseus'' was fitted with temporary grandstand seating ("[[bleacher]]s") in June for [[Very Important Person]]s and the press during [[Elizabeth II]]'s [[Coronation Fleet Review]] in [[Spithead]].<ref name=h2/> Later in the year she made a trip transporting troops and equipment to the [[Far East]].<ref name=h2>Hobbs, p. 82</ref> |
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On 20 January 1954, [[706 Naval Air Squadron|706 Squadron]], a second-line unit, flew aboard to conduct trials of the [[anti-submarine]] version of the Whirlwind helicopter.<ref>Sturtivant, pp. 36–37</ref> They were successful enough that the squadron was redesignated as [[845 Naval Air Squadron|845 Squadron]] afterwards and ''Perseus'' ferried them to [[Malta]] in April. The ship continued on to deliver relief supplies to Singapore intended for Korea and was reduced to reserve again upon her return on 12 July. The Admiralty intended to convert her to a [[submarine tender|submarine depot ship]] and she was towed to [[Belfast]] to begin work in 1955. The cutbacks from the [[1957 Defence White Paper]] caused the conversion to be cancelled and the ship was towed to [[Gare Loch]] to await a decision on the ship's disposition. ''Perseus'' sold for scrap in May 1958 and towed to [[Port Glasgow]] to begin demolition.<ref>Hobbs, pp. 82, 85</ref> |
On 20 January 1954, [[706 Naval Air Squadron|706 Squadron]], a second-line unit, flew aboard to conduct trials of the [[anti-submarine]] version of the Whirlwind helicopter.<ref>Sturtivant, pp. 36–37</ref> They were successful enough that the squadron was redesignated as [[845 Naval Air Squadron|845 Squadron]] afterwards and ''Perseus'' ferried them to [[Malta]] in April. The ship continued on to deliver relief supplies to Singapore intended for Korea and was reduced to reserve again upon her return on 12 July. The Admiralty intended to convert her to a [[submarine tender|submarine depot ship]] and she was towed to [[Belfast]] to begin work in 1955. The cutbacks from the [[1957 Defence White Paper]] caused the conversion to be cancelled and the ship was towed to [[Gare Loch]] to await a decision on the ship's disposition. ''Perseus'' sold for scrap in May 1958 and towed to [[Port Glasgow]] to begin demolition.<ref>Hobbs, pp. 82, 85</ref> |
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==Footnotes== |
==Footnotes== |
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{{Reflist| |
{{Reflist|30em}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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* {{Cite book|last=Campbell|first=John|title=Naval Weapons of World War II|year=1985|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=0-87021-459-4}} |
* {{Cite book|last=Campbell|first=John|title=Naval Weapons of World War II|year=1985|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=0-87021-459-4}} |
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*{{ |
* {{Cite Colledge2006}} |
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* {{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=British Carrier Aviation: The Evolution of the Ships and Their Aircraft|year=1988|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=0-87021-054-8}} |
* {{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=British Carrier Aviation: The Evolution of the Ships and Their Aircraft|year=1988|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=0-87021-054-8}} |
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*{{cite book|last=Hobbs|first=David, Commander|title=Moving Bases: Royal Navy Maintenance Carriers and MONABs|publisher=Maritime Books|location=Liskeard, Cornwall, UK|year=2007|isbn=978-1-904459-30-9}} |
*{{cite book|last=Hobbs|first=David, Commander|title=Moving Bases: Royal Navy Maintenance Carriers and MONABs|publisher=Maritime Books|location=Liskeard, Cornwall, UK|year=2007|isbn=978-1-904459-30-9}} |
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{{1942 design aircraft carrier}} |
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{{1942_design_aircraft_carrier}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Perseus (R51)}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perseus (R51)}} |
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[[Category:Colossus-class aircraft carriers]] |
[[Category:Colossus-class aircraft carriers]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Ships built on the River Tyne]] |
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[[Category:1944 ships]] |
[[Category:1944 ships]] |
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[[Category:World War II aircraft carriers of the United Kingdom]] |
[[Category:World War II aircraft carriers of the United Kingdom]] |
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Latest revision as of 18:32, 16 August 2022
 Perseus at anchor
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Perseus |
| Namesake | Perseus |
| Ordered | 14 March 1942 |
| Builder | Vickers-Armstrongs, Newcastle-upon-Tyne |
| Laid down | 1 January 1943 |
| Launched | 26 March 1944 |
| Completed | 19 October 1945 |
| Identification | Pennant number: R51 |
| Fate | Sold for scrap, May 1958 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Colossus-class aircraft maintenance ship |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 695 ft (211.8 m) |
| Beam | 80 ft 4 in (24.49 m) |
| Draught | 23 ft (7.0 m) (deep load) |
| Installed power | 40,000 shp (30,000 kW) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) |
| Range | 12,000 nmi (22,000 km; 14,000 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) |
| Complement | 1,076 |
| Sensors and processing systems | 6 × Type 262 gunnery radars |
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | None |
HMS Perseus was a Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy during World War II. The ship was initially named HMS Edgar, but she was renamed in 1944 when the Admiralty decided to convert her into an aircraft maintenance carrier. She was completed in 1945, after the end of World War II, and she made a trip to Australia late in the year. Upon her return to the UK in early 1946, Perseus was placed in reserve. The ship was recommissioned in 1950 to serve as the trials ship for the steam catapult then under development. Over 1,600 test launches were conducted before the catapult was removed in 1952 and she was converted for use as a ferry carrier to transport aircraft, troops and equipment overseas. She was reduced to reserve again in 1954 and sold for scrap in 1958.
Design, description and construction[edit]
The Colossus-class carriers were intended to meet a shortage of naval flight decks. Their design was based on that of the Illustrious class, but modified to permit rapid construction in commercial yards. Perseus was not completed to her original design; the success of the maintenance aircraft carrier Unicorn prompted modification of the ship, whilst under construction, to an aircraft maintenance ship without aircraft catapults.[1]
Perseus had an overall length of 695 feet (211.8 m), a beam of 80 feet 4 inches (24.5 m), and a draught of 23 feet (7.0 m) at deep load. She displaced 12,265 long tons (12,462 t) at standard load. Each of the ship's two sets of Parsons geared steam turbines drove one propeller shaft. Steam was supplied by four Admiralty three-drum water-tube boilers operating at a pressure of 400 psi (2,758 kPa; 28 kgf/cm2). The turbines were designed for a total of 40,000 shaft horsepower (30,000 kW) and gave Perseus a speed of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph).[2] The ship carried 3,196 long tons (3,247 t) of fuel oil which gave her a range of 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph).[3]
In order maximize space for workshops and stores, the ship's arresting gear and catapult were not fitted and all the facilities required for flying operations were removed. Two large deckhouses were added to port of the island and on the rear of the flight deck. The ship had a single hangar, 17 feet 6 inches (5.33 m) high. Aircraft were transported between the hangars and the flight deck by two aircraft lifts (elevators); each measured 34 by 45 feet (10.4 m × 13.7 m).[4] Two large cranes were mounted on the flight deck to move aircraft and stores to and from the flight deck. The ship carried two small self-propelled lighters to allow unflyable aircraft to be transferred between ships or to shore facilities. Bulk petrol storage consisted of 98,600 imperial gallons (448,000 L; 118,400 US gal).[5] The ship's crew totalled 854, plus 222 in her aircraft repair department.[2]
Aircraft could undergo maintenance, and most functional and equipment tests carried out aboard - either in the hangar or on the deck. Some components could be repaired on board, but other work was to be carried out by the workshops on the engine repair and component repair ships that would accompany the maintenance carrier.[6]
The ship was equipped with six quadruple mounts for the 40-millimetre (1.6 in) QF 2-pounder Mk VIII gun ("pom-pom").[3] These gun mounts could depress to −10° and elevate to a maximum of +80°. The Mk VIII 2-pounder gun fired a 40-millimetre (1.6 in) 0.91-pound (0.41 kg) shell at a muzzle velocity of 1,920 ft/s (590 m/s) to a distance of 3,800 yards (3,500 m). The gun's rate of fire was approximately 96–98 rounds per minute.[7] She was also fitted with 19 Bofors 40 mm autocannon in single mounts.[3] The Bofors fired a 0.719-pound (0.326 kg) shell at a muzzle velocity of 2,890 ft/s (880 m/s). It had a rate of fire of about 120 rounds per minute and a maximum range of 10,750 yards (9,830 m).[8] All of the guns were mounted on the flight deck, not in sponsons on the side of the hull like her half-sisters that were completed as aircraft carriers.[9] Each "pom-pom" mount was provided with a separate fire-control director fitted with a Type 262 gunnery radar.[2]
Perseus was ordered on 14 March 1942 under the name Edgar. She was laid down at Vickers-Armstrong in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 1 January 1943 and was launched on 26 March 1944.[10] The ship was renamed Perseus in July 1944,[11] after the decision had been made to convert her to an aircraft maintenance ship,[1] and she was completed on 19 October 1945.[10]
Service[edit]
.jpg)
Perseus arrived in Portsmouth on 24 October 1945, after the end of World War II, to begin working up and sailed on 17 November for Australia. She arrived in Sydney on 21 December, just in time to take charge of winding up the "Air Train"[Note 1] that had supported the British Pacific Fleet. The ship departed Melbourne on 26 March 1946, carrying a load of aircraft to return to the United Kingdom, and arrived at Rosyth on 17 May where she was placed in reserve.[12]
In 1950, Perseus was fitted with an experimental steam catapult. The catapult was placed on top of the carrier's existing flight deck and the deckhouse to port of the island was removed to accommodate it. Some 1,560 launches were made by the catapult, beginning with over 1,000 wheeled dead-loads, of gradually increasing weight, and moving on to unmanned aircraft with their wings truncated to reduce their ability to glide. The final tests were made by manned aircraft of every type flown by the Fleet Air Arm. After this, the ship arrived in Philadelphia on 14 January 1952 to demonstrate the catapult to the United States Navy. Between them, some 127 launches of manned aircraft were made by the British and the Americans. Perseus arrived back at Portsmouth on 21 March and had the catapult removed. All of her remaining maintenance equipment was removed and she was converted for use as a ferry carrier.[13]
On 10 December, the ship carried the Westland Whirlwinds of 848 Squadron[14] to Singapore, arriving on 8 January 1953. She arrived back at Portsmouth on 11 February and then embarked part of the 100 Grumman Avengers transferred to the Royal Navy under the terms of the Mutual Defense Assistance Act in Norfolk, Virginia, on 16 March. She arrived back in Norfolk to load the remaining aircraft on 29 April. Perseus was fitted with temporary grandstand seating ("bleachers") in June for Very Important Persons and the press during Elizabeth II's Coronation Fleet Review in Spithead.[15] Later in the year she made a trip transporting troops and equipment to the Far East.[15]
On 20 January 1954, 706 Squadron, a second-line unit, flew aboard to conduct trials of the anti-submarine version of the Whirlwind helicopter.[16] They were successful enough that the squadron was redesignated as 845 Squadron afterwards and Perseus ferried them to Malta in April. The ship continued on to deliver relief supplies to Singapore intended for Korea and was reduced to reserve again upon her return on 12 July. The Admiralty intended to convert her to a submarine depot ship and she was towed to Belfast to begin work in 1955. The cutbacks from the 1957 Defence White Paper caused the conversion to be cancelled and the ship was towed to Gare Loch to await a decision on the ship's disposition. Perseus sold for scrap in May 1958 and towed to Port Glasgow to begin demolition.[17]
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ The "Air Train" was the entire system of depots, repair centres, repair ships and ferry carriers that supplied the fleet carriers of the British Pacific Fleet with flyable aircraft.
Footnotes[edit]
- ^ a b Friedman, pp. 237, 239
- ^ a b c Lenton, p. 107
- ^ a b c Hobbs, p. 73
- ^ Friedman, p. 367
- ^ Hobbs, pp. 69, 73
- ^ Brown p24-25
- ^ Campbell, pp. 71–74
- ^ Campbell, pp. 67, 70
- ^ Hobbs, p. 68
- ^ a b Lenton, p. 108
- ^ Colledge, p. 110
- ^ Hobbs, p. 75
- ^ Hobbs, pp. 78–79
- ^ Sturtivant, p. 331
- ^ a b Hobbs, p. 82
- ^ Sturtivant, pp. 36–37
- ^ Hobbs, pp. 82, 85
References[edit]
- Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War II. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.
- Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
- Friedman, Norman (1988). British Carrier Aviation: The Evolution of the Ships and Their Aircraft. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-054-8.
- Hobbs, David, Commander (2007). Moving Bases: Royal Navy Maintenance Carriers and MONABs. Liskeard, Cornwall, UK: Maritime Books. ISBN 978-1-904459-30-9.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Lenton, H. T. (1998). British & Commonwealth Warships of the Second World War. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-048-7.
- Sturtivant, Ray (1984). The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-120-7.
- Brown, D K (1996). The Design and Construction of British Warships 1939-1945. Vol. 1: Landing Craft and Auxiliary Vessels. Conway.
External links[edit]
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