The proposed ship sits between 6,000-ton light cruisers and 28,000-ton HMS Tiger and could be built by more yards in larger batches. Six to eight 9.2-inch guns and a designed speed of 28 knots give it enough power to deter a raider without the cost of a capital ship. Small-tube boilers would let the Navy test machinery with less risk than fitting it first to a battleship; station service remained useful if the experiment disappointed. A successful installation might also influence the later R class. Its planned jobs include station flagship, convoy escort, reconnaissance, and fast support for the fleet.
Chapter · 15:35-22:00
A 28-knot station cruiser and technology test bed
The proposed Tiger Cub combines six to eight 9.2-inch guns, turbine machinery, and 28-knot speed in a 15,000- to 18,000-ton station cruiser.