| Name: | EDINBURGH |
| Type: | Cruiser |
| Keel: | 30/12/1936 |
| Launched: | 31/03/1938 |
| Completed: | 06/07/1939 |
| Builder: | Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd |
| Yard: | Wallsend |
| Yard Number: | 1537 |
| Dimensions: | 9700disp - 13175disp, 579.0 x 66.0 x 21.3(draft)ft |
| Engines: | 4 x Steam turbines, Parsons type, SR geared, 81631shp |
| Engines by: | Wallsend Slipway & Engineering Co Ltd, Wallsend |
| Propulsion: | 4 x Screws, 32.0knots |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Armament: | 4 x 3 x 6.0ins, 6 x 2 x 4.0ins, 2 x 8 x 2pdr, 2 x 4 x 0.5ins guns; |
| 2 x 3 x 21.0ins torpedoes; 1 x depth charge rail; 2 or 3 x seaplanes | |
| History: | |
| 06/07/1939 | British Royal Navy |
| 02/05/1942 | Sank |
| Comments: | Member of the Town Class of Light Cruisers |
| 30/04/1942: Torpedoed twice, including the stern, by U-Boat U456 whilst she was | |
| covering a convoy from Murmank to UK. Steering gear destroyed. | |
| Taken in tow to Murmansk, but continually attacked by German destroyers & aircraft. | |
| 02/05/1942: Torpedoed again. Crew transferred & then scuttled 150 miles N of Murmansk | |
| She was carrying 465 gold ingots, a part payment from the USSR for armaments received | |
| 04/1981: Wreck located about 250 miles NNE of the Kola Inlet at a depth of 800 ft | |
| 07/10/1981: In a salvage operation, 431 gold ingots worth £43m recovered from the wreck. | |
| 1986: A further 29 gold ingots recovered, leaving only 5 unaccounted for. |
Above photo is copyright of the Imperial War Museum. CLICK to enlarge/BACK to return
Above photo is copyright of the Imperial War Museum. CLICK to enlarge/BACK to return
Above photo is copyright of the Imperial War Museum
Above photo is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo is copyright of the Imperial War Museum
Above photo is courtesy of Photoship
Profile & Deck plans courtesy of Dr Dan Saranga. Click HERE to enlarge
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