Линейные крейсера Англии. Часть IV

К тому времени судостроители уже установили кормовое 457-мм орудие, но монтаж передней орудийной башни все ещё продолжался, а само орудие находилось на берегу. Однако носовую орудийную башню устанавливать не стали, её барбет демонтировали и заменили ангаром на 8-10 самолётов и протянувшейся через весь полубак наклонной взлётной палубой. Для подачи гидросамолётов на место старта на полётной палубе проложили рельсовые пути, по которым перемещалась специальная тележка с установленным на ней поплавковым гидросамолётом. Но в основном полётная палуба предназначалась для взлёта колёсных самолётов, но посадка их на палубу в то время ещё не предусматривалась.

Name	Builder	Machinery	Begun	Completed	Trials
Courageous Glorious	Armstrong Harland & Wolff, Belfast	Parsons Harland & Wolff	May, 1915 Mar., 1915	Dec., 1916 Nov., 1916	93,780 = 31-58 91,165 « 31*6

General Notes.-Emergency War Programme ships. Design of these ships is said to have been formulated by Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, when First Sea Lord, 1914-15. Their shallow draught is said to have been planned with a view to future operations in the Baltic. In 1915, credits could not be secured for commencing extra Battle Cruisers, taking two years to build. But additional Light Cruisers had been approved, and the opportunity was taken to design these two ships as “ Large Light Cruisers.” They were designed about January, 1915, and it was intended that they should be finished in a year. Accordingly, the number of big guns and mountings available had to be taken into consideration in planning armament. The twelve months’ projected building time was exceeded by six months, as these ships were not commissioned till October, 1916.

The intended Baltic operations having been negatived, a tactical role as “ Light Cruiser Destroyers ” was assigned to these vessels. The objection is, their end-on fire of two 15-inch guns (when in chase), is too heavy and slow-flrlng. Against a small and rapidly-moving target, like an enemy Light Cruiser (continually altering her course), two 15-inch guns have only a fair chance of securing hits-but one salvo on the target would probably be decisive.

The lines of these vessels are remarkably fine, the beam at fore barbette being only 71 feet. On her acceptance trials, Courageous met heavy weather and was driven hard into a head sea. Her hull became badly strained just before the fore barbette. She was docked and doubling plates added here; subsequent trials showing that the defect had been overcome. Glorious did not develop this weakness, but after twelve months' service she was strengthened In the same way, as a precautionary measure. When running into a head sea, these two ships can easily outstrip destroyers. They are said, to have done 35 kts. in service.