In the wartime plans of 1918, the British Navy conceived a unique cruiser with a clear goal: to capture German mine-laying cruisers and surpass the combat effectiveness of German light cruiser forces. This ship, which begins with the letter E, is affectionately known as the E-class. The construction of these 3 E-class cruisers began in the shipyard, 2 of them were successfully completed after the end of World War I, and the 3rd was forced to stop for some reason. These behemoths had a significant speed advantage over D-class cruisers, with an increase in the number of main guns and essentially the same protection. In order to achieve this high-speed performance and better seakeeping, the engineers cleverly extended the hull by about 30 meters, so that the bow is no longer the traditional "trawler" style, but instead has a tall, powerful bow tower with edges. This design allowed the displacement to break through the 7,000-ton mark in one fell swoop. What's even more amazing is that they carry a main engine powerful enough to rival two large destroyers, providing them with an astonishing speed of 32 knots. In order to enhance the ship's indestructibility, for the first time, the E-class cruiser adopted a novel boiler room configuration - front and rear separate, and the front engine room was configured in the middle. This design makes the spacing between chimneys unusually wide.
Such a luxurious configuration makes each E-class cruiser a moving castle on the sea. As one of them, the Enterprise has a standard displacement of 7,580 tons and a total length of 1737 meters, width 166 meters, draft 50 meters. They were the pride of the British Navy and the best display of the technology and engineering of their time. Let me take you on a unique journey into this dynamic and creative steam turbine "Emerald". It boasts a unique Brown Curtis-style gearing design, with the entire hull driven by a massive 4-seat shaft that displays incredible power and speed. First, let's explore its heart – the host. It's a stunning gear design that converts the power of steam into the power of the ship through a sophisticated gear fit. The ship is equipped with 8 Yarrow oil-fired water-tube boilers to supply a steady stream of steam to the engine. The fire inside the boiler is blazing with heat, like miniature volcanoes, and their heat provides endless power for the Emerald. The ship has a staggering 80,000 horsepower, which means it's powerful enough to propel a massive body to incredible speeds.
On the surface of the sea, the speed of the "Emerald" can reach 330 knots, leaving other ships in the dust. But speed is not the only characteristic of the Emerald. In terms of range, it is equally excellent. When sailing at a speed of 20 knots, it can traverse 3With an ocean of 850 nautical miles, there is no fear of any challenge. In its huge body, it is loaded with heavy oil 1745 tons, which allows it to sail for a long time on the oceans. And when it comes to ** equipment, the "Emerald" is no less powerful. It was armed with seven 152 mm 45 x diameter single guns and one twin gun. These cannons act as patron saints, guarding the safety of the entire ship. In addition, there were 5 single-mount guns, 3 anti-aircraft guns, a twin "Ping-Pong" gun and 4 triple-mounted water torpedo tubes. Among them, the "Enterprising" even set up a firing command post above the bridge, which comprehensively improved its combat effectiveness. In terms of armor, the "Emerald" should not be underestimated. The thickness of the side armor reached 38-76 mm, and the deck armor was 25 mm thick. This sturdy armor provided the ship with a strong defense, ensuring that it was invincible in battle. And on this huge steam turbine, there is also a crew of 572 elite crews. They work together to ensure the smooth operation of the Emerald's functions.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the "Emerald" and its siblings underwent large-scale modifications in 1933-1935, the most notable of which was the strengthening of the torpedo**. They are equipped with four quadruple torpedo tubes and have been equipped with advanced equipment such as aircraft catapults. These improvements have allowed the "Emerald" to increase its combat effectiveness on the ocean. With these vivid details and unique perspectives, the Emerald becomes even more lifelike. This is not only a formidable battleship, but also a journey full of creativity and imagination. I hope this trip will bring you a different experience and inspiration!