Year 1900, HMS ABOUKIR. A member of the six-strong Cressy class of armoured cruisers, constructed for the Royal Navy during the last two years of the 19th century.
THE CRESSY CLASS
The years around the turn of the 19th century were a period of tremendous innovation. The Cressys, for example, were virtually identical to the Diadems produced two years earlier, but were much more capable thanks to the development, in the meantime, of face-hardened steel armour by Krupp in Germany. HMS Aboukir was the fourth ship of the class to be constructed, by Fairfield on the Clyde. Laid down on 9 November 1898, she was launched on 16 May 1900 and completed on 3 April 1902.
WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT
The Cressys were big, powerful ships, intended to operate in the old cruiser roles independently, in distant waters, or as fast scouts for the battle fleet. With a main armoured belt 6in (152mm) thick and 231 ft (70.4m) long and 11.5ft (3.5m) deep, finished by 5in (127mm) bulkheads and surmounted by an armoured deck, they were very well protected from any sort of gunfire they might be expected to receive. Also, with 9.2in (233mm) guns fore and aft and 12 X 6in (152mm) guns on the broadside, they were well armed. Their 21,000hp gave them 21 knots, and their endurance was such to allow them to operate anywhere on Earth.
TECHNICAL DATA
Type: Armoured cruiser
Machinery: 2-shaft, 4 cylinder triple expansion engines producing 21,000ihp
Dimensions (overall): Length, 144m (472ft); beam, 21.2m (69.5ft)
Displacement: 12,000t deep load
Draught: 7.9m (26ft) full load
Complement: 760
Speed: 21 knots (39km/h)
