Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 46:07-46:55

Did Dido replace the C- and D-class cruisers?

Dido expanded the fleet's screening strength rather than directly replacing older trade-protection cruisers, a role more closely inherited by the Crown Colony class.

C Class CruisersCrown Colony Class CruisersDanae Class Light CruisersDido Class Light CruisersNaval ProcurementTrade Protection
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Were Dido-class cruisers intended to replace the First World War-era C- and D-class cruisers?

Short answer

No. Dido added screening strength, while Crown Colony-class cruisers more closely inherited the older ships' trade-protection role.

Notes

The classes answered different cruiser requirements. C- and D-class ships were associated with trade protection, whereas Dido was procured as a screening cruiser and a rapid addition to fleet strength. Crown Colony-class cruisers therefore provide the closer functional replacement for the older trade-protection ships. Dido's construction increased fleet numbers as well as adding a different screening capability.