HMS Birmingham

On 9th August 1914 the 5,400 ton light cruiser HMS Birmingham sank the first German submarine of the first World War. Six shots from HMS Birmingham had badly crippled the German U-15 vessel. Captain Aruthur Duff then issued instructions that HMS Birmingham should ram the U Boat at full speed. The German submarine sank with a loss of 23 members of its crew.

HMS Birmingham had been built in 1913 at Elswick. She saw service at the battles of Heligoland Bight and the Battle of Jutland where some damage was sustained. With a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 4000 nautical miles she was armed with nine 6 inch guns, four 3 pounder guns and two 21 inch torpedo tubes. Eventually HMS Birmingham was sold for scrapping in 1931.

HMS C.19 Birmingham (Town Class)

 

HMS Birmingham a light Cruiser was built in Plymouth and commissioned in November 1937. This 9000 ton cruiser had a maximum speed of 32 knots with a range of 9000 nautical miles. Decomissioned December 1959. Sold for scrap September 1960.

Sheffield Class Type 42 Destroyer

Sixteen Sheffield Class Type 42 destroyers were built between 1972 and 1985. Two of them were lost in the Falklands War. Designed to provide air defence for a task force they have a top speed of 31 knots, highly manoeuverable ships armed with Sea Dart missiles and Lynx Helicopters. Equipped with 4.5 inch guns and anti submarine missile tubes.

HMS Birmingham attended the Silver Jubilee and The Battle of the Atlantic 50th Anniversary in 1993. She was decommissioned on October 20th 2000.