HMS Hermione (74)

Aerial photograph of Hermione at sea, January 1942
Career (UK)
Class and type:	Dido-class light cruiser
Name:	HMS Hermione
Builder:	Alexander Stephen and Sons (Glasgow, Scotland)
Laid down:	6 October 1937
Launched:	18 May 1939
Commissioned:	25 March 1941
Fate:	Sunk, 16 June 1942 during Operation Harpoon / Vigorous by torpedoes from German submarine U-205, north of Sollum (87 lost).
General characteristics
Displacement:	5,600 tons standard 6,850 tons full load
Length:	485 ft (148 m) pp 512 ft (156 m) oa
Beam:	50.5 ft (15.4 m)
Draught:	14 ft (4.3 m)
Propulsion:	Parsons geared turbines Four shafts Four Admiralty 3-drum boilers 62,000 shp (46 MW)
Speed:	32.25 knots (60 km/h)
Range:	1,500 nautical miles (2,780 km) at 30 knots 4,240 nautical miles (7,850 km) at 16 knots 1,100 tons fuel oil
Complement:	480
Armament:	Original configuration: 8x 5.25 in (133 mm) dual guns, 1x 4.0 in (102 mm) gun, 2x 0.5 in MG quadruple guns, 3x 2 pdr (37 mm/40 mm) pom-poms quad guns, 2x 21 in (533 mm) triple Torpedo Tubes. 1941 - 1943 configuration: 8x 5.25 in (133 mm) dual guns, 5x 20 mm (0.8 in) single guns, 2x 2 pdr (37 mm/40 mm) pom-poms quad guns, 2x 21 in (533 mm) triple Torpedo Tubes.
Armor:	Original configuration: Belt: 3inch, Deck: 1inch, Magazines: 2inch, Bulkheads: 1inch.
Notes:	Pennant number 74

For other ships of the same name, see HMS Hermione.

HMS Hermione was a Dido class light cruiser of the Royal Navy, She was built by Alexander Stephen and Sons, (Glasgow, Scotland), with the keel being laid down on 6 October 1937. She was launched on 18 May 1939, and commissioned 25 March 1941.

History

Convoy, the Hermiones ship cat, sleeps in a hammock aboard HMS Hermione, whilst members of the crew look on

The latest 20 mm Oerlikon gun on board HMS Hermione, showing a naval gunner utilising the rubber shoulder rests for high-angle firing. Note the Thornycroft depth charge thrower Mark II and depth charge launching rail in the background.

References

• 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. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8. OCLC 67375475. 
• WWII cruisers
• HMS Hermione at Uboat.net