Birmingham Class Light Cruisers. Cruisers in the class were HMS Birmingham, HMS Lowestoft, HMS Nottingham and HMS Adelaide.

History of the Birmingham Class Light cruisers of the Royal Navy.  Part of the 1912 building programmed. They were improved versions of the Chatham class, with the main alteration of an addition of a second 6-inch gun on the forecastle.. The Birmingham Class were very successful and apart form HMS Nottingham lost during world war one. were kept in the Naval fleet until the 1931. and HMS Adelaide continued in service until 1949 with the Australian navy.

HMS Birmingham. Built at Elswick amd launched 7th May 1913 and completed in January 1914. joined the 1st light Cruiser Squadron in 1914. and in June of 1914 visited Kiel. During World war One. she rammed and sunk U-15 on the 9th of August 1914 as well as sinking two German merchant ships. and also took part in the Dogger Bank action in  January 1915. In February 1915 she joined the 2nd Light Cruiser squadron.  On the 18th of June HMS Birmingham attacked a u-boat without success. and during The battle of Jut land sustained some damage caused by splintering. during the night of the battle.. After the Great War she became the flagship to the 6th Light cruiser Squadron 1919 - 1920. then transferred to the Nore during 1920 - 1922. Re commissioned in November 1923 to the Africa Station with the 6th Light Cruiser Squadron as Flagship. (relieving HMS Lowestoft). HMS Birmingham served in foreign stations until being sold in 1931.

HMS Birmingham, 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  XMP1074

HMS Birmingham, 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  XMP1075

HMS Birmingham, October 1929.

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  XMP1076

HMS Birmingham, October 1929.

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  XMP1077

HMS Birmingham.

HMS Birmingham.

HMS Birmingham 

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHC251

HMS Birmingham at Malta.  

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHC252

HMS Birmingham.

HMS Birmingham.

Ship's Company of HMS Birmingham, 1920.

Crew members from HMS Birmingham in 1926 at Walvis Bay, Namibia. 

Crew from HMS Birmingham pictured c.1913. 

Crew of HMS Birmingham.

(Almost certain this is Birmingham but can only just make out the cap ribbons - possibly Effingham or similar name)

HMS Birmingham, Avonmouth Dock.

HMS Birmingham. 

HMS Lowestoft, 1917.

HMS Lowestoft, January 1918.

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  XMP1079

HMS Lowestoft.

HMS Lowestoft.

Crew of HMS Lowestoft, Far East.

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHC806

Marines Gun Crew, HMS Lowestoft.

HMS Nottingham, 1914.

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  XMP1080

HMS Nottingham.

HMS Adelaide, 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  XMP1081

HMS Adelaide, 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  XMP1082

HMS Adelaide, 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  XMP1083

HMS Adelaide, 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  XMP1084

HMS Adelaide, 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  XMP1085

HMS Adelaide, June 1924.

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  XMP1086

Naval Historians and Enthusiasts Noticeboard

Photographs and information on historical events about Birmingham Class Light cruisers requested for this new website. If you have any information you would like to send us including photographs of crew members serving on cruisers and also photographs of the ship please USE OUR MESSAGE FORM 

MESSAGES

HMS BIRMINGHAM:

My grandfather served on HMS Birmingham in the Great war, and fought at Jutland. he was a Royal marine and was a gunner. I would be grateful for any further information on the ship and crew also any photos of the crew and HMS Birmingham from this period. contact Mike Channing at cbunsenburner@aol.com 

HMS Birmingham Commanded by Captain Arthur Duff, Ramming the German Submarine U15 on August 9th 1914 by M G Swanwick (P)

Having swept away the periscope and conning tower of the German submarine U15 with a salvo of six shots from the Birminghams guns, Captain Arthur Duff ordered the cruisers engines to be set at full speed. With a turn of the helm she was brought round with her bows pointing straight at the disabled submarine. Then dashing forward at 25 miles per hour the 5,400 ton cruiser rode into U15, which rolled over and sank to the bottom of the sea with its crew of three officers and twenty men.

Antique print published c.1918. Paper size 11 inches x 8.5 inches (28cm x 22cm). Price £25.00

HMS Birmingham Commanded by Captain Arthur Duff, Hitting the Conning Tower of the German Submarine U15.

First World War antique black and white book plate published c.1916-18 of glorious acts of heroism during the Great War. This plate may also have text on the reverse side which does not affect the framed side. Title and text describing the event beneath image as shown. Paper size 10.5 inches x 8.5 inches (27cm x 22cm). Price £13.00