History of  Royal Navy cruisers ( , light cruisers). Royal Navy cruiser website dedicated to the Birmingham Class. HMS Vindictive, HMS Effingham, HMS Frobisher, HMS Hawkins including crew and families of ex-crew members notice board for the Birmingham Class cruisers.

Cavendish Light Cruiser Class of the Royal Navy included: HMS Cavendish, HMS Effingham, HMS Frobisher, HMS Hawkins, and HMS Raleigh.  These Light Cruisers did not see service during world war one, and HMS Cavendish was converted June 1918 into the Aircraft Carrier  becoming HMS Vindictive.

Please note the new improved Birmingham class cruiser is not the same as the Birmingham class cruisers of the first world war.

Displacement: 9,770 tons (Vindictive), 9,550 tons (Effingham), 9,860 tons (Frobisher), 9,800tons (HMS Hawkins)    Speed: 30.5kt    Complement: 400 increasing to 437 as a Flagship.

Armament: Eight 4 inch anti-aircraft guns and four 2pdr anti-aircraft guns.   Eight 0.5 inch machine guns.

Although originally an aircraft carrier HMS Vindictive became a cruiser in 1925, served as a training ship in 1936-37 and then as a repair ship in 1940. In this role she served in the South Atlantic from 1940-42, followed by a stint in the Mediterranean Fleet from 1943-44, ending up in the Home fleet and reserve in 1945. HMS Effingham served in the Americas and West Indies during 1939 transferring to Atlantic escort and Home fleet duties in 1940. HMS Frobisher served in the Eastern fleet from 1942-44 then in the Home fleet in 1944 and became a training ship in 1945. HMS Hawkins served in the South Atlantic from 1940-41, later in 1941-42 she served in the East Indies and transferred to the Eastern fleet from 1942-44. Hawkins was used as a training ship in 1944-45 after serving in the Home fleet in 1944, and was then put into reserve in 1945.

Hawkins Class Cruiser. (identified by Brian Currie.)  The spacing and size of the stacks, one thicker than the other, The sloop down to the low quarterdeck, the tripod observation tower, The Blast Guard and the forward gun mount , all  confirm the identification

Left to right: HMS Hawkins, Constance and Frobisher pictured c.1930

This is either HMS Hawkins or HMS Effingham at Casablanca in 1929.

HMS Effingham, 1925.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1226

HMS Effingham, July 1935.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1226

The launch of HMS Effingham, 8th June 1921.

HMS Effingham.

HMS Effingham  

HMS Effingham at Karachi 

Some men from HMS Effingham in the Far East.

HMS Effingham.

HMS Effingham in the Far East.

HMS Frobisher   Built at Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth and launched 20th March 1920 and completed September 1924. The reason for the long delay in completion. Because of the Armistice  HMS Frobisher along with HMS Effingham were given low priority as they had been built by Naval Dockyards. She was reduced once finished to training duties but was re armed for the out break of world war Two. Joined Eastern Fleet 1942 - 1944, then Home Fleet for rest of 1944. became once again a training ship 1945 and finally sold and scrapped at Newport May 1949.

Displacement:   9,860 tons      Speed: 30.5kt    Complement: 400  

HMS Frobisher, July 1935.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1227

HMS Frobisher, May 1937.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1228

HMS Frobisher, May 1938.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1229

HMS Frobisher, 1943.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1230

HMS Frobisher.

HMS Frobisher.

HMS Frobisher.

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHC661

HMS Frobisher.

HMS Frobisher, July 1937.

HMS Frobisher.

The cruiser HMS Frobisher dominates this scene off Houlgate at the Normandy landings of 1944.  The monitor HMS Roberts lies beyond Frobisher with a Large Infantry Landing Ship or LSI (L) unshipping its LCAs on the extreme right of the picture.  In the foreground, a motor launch attends a group of LCP (L)s as they head for the French beaches.  Two Spitfire Mk.IXs conduct sweeps overhead as Operation Neptune gathers momentum.

Signed Limited Edition of 1,150 prints plus 50 artists proofs. From the limited edition 50 are available as Giclee canvas prints at a larger size of 36" x 30". Canvas print price £660 or 36" x 24" price £550 ($950). To know more about Giclee prints and our range click here. 

Print Serial Number DHM1323. Print image size 25 x 17". Print price £80 ($145). 

Artists proof price £115 ($190). 

HMS Raleigh, in dock, 1919.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1236

HMS Raleigh, 1919.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1237

HMS Raleigh, wrecked, July 1922.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1238

HMS Raleigh entering St John's Harbour, Newfoundland.

HMS Raleigh wrecked after running aground in the Labrador Straits on the 8th August 1922.

HMS Raleigh.

HMS Raleigh.

Some crew form HMS Raleigh pictured c.1920.

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHC367

HMS Raleigh.

Naval Historians, Crew & Family Noticeboard

Birmingham Class cruiser, Notice Board for naval enthusiasts and ex Crew families of Birmingham Class cruisers. This website is not part of any governmental body or official websites of Birmingham Class cruisers.

Photographs and information on historical events about HMS Vindictive, HMS Effingham, HMS Frobisher or HMS Hawkins requested for this new website. If you have any information you would like to send us including photographs of crew members serving on HMS Vindictive, HMS Effingham, HMS Frobisher or HMS Hawkins and also photographs of the ship please USE OUR MESSAGE FORM 

MESSAGES 

HMS FROBISHER

STANLEY LLOYD CLAUDE GWILT..  I am trying to trace my grandfather who I believe served on this ship.  His name was Stanley Lloyd Claude Gwilt, not a name to forget easily.  If anyone can help, please Contact here 

JIM WHEELER. My father served on HMS Frobisher during the war years. he died in 1986 and I would like to learn more about the ship and her crew. I believe my father was a Stocker. If anyone knew him or can help me with information about the ship. I would love to hear form them contact James Wheeler at jameswheeler@btinternet.com 

HMS EFFINGHAM

FRANCESCO GRECH.. My grandfather served on HMS Effingham as a stoker Petty Officer from October 1927 until April 1929.

Operation Neptune by Ivan Berryman.

Forming part of the Eastern Task Force covering the landings at Normandy in June 1944, the cruiser HMS Mauritius is shown in company with the monitor HMS Roberts and the cruiser HMS Frobisher shelling German batteries at Merville, Houlgate and Benerville as the combined British and American forces embark upon what would become known forever as D-Day.

Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 12 inches x 7 inches (31cm x 18cm). Price £26.00

Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 12 inches x 7 inches (31cm x 18cm). Price £43.00

Original black and white acrylic painting by Ivan Berryman. Image size 14 inches x 10 inches (36cm x 25cm). Price £750.00