Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:38-5:02

Why the Town class was not a copy of Brooklyn

The Town-class design began before Britain knew the Brooklyn details and followed a distinct requirement to defeat surface raiders.

Brooklyn Class Light CruisersCommerce ProtectionCruiser DesignRoyal NavyTown Class Light Cruisers (1936)
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Question

Did the Royal Navy begin the Town-class light cruisers in response to the US Brooklyn class?

Short answer

No. The design work began earlier and was driven by Britain's need for a counter-raider cruiser.

Notes

Similar-looking cruisers did not necessarily share the same design origins. British work on the Town class was already under way before details of the Brooklyn class were known. Its governing mission was counter-raider warfare, reflecting Britain's need to protect trade against surface cruisers. The American and Japanese ships emerged from different requirements, so resemblance does not establish imitation.