# HMS Hawkins
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{{Short description|British Hawkins-class heavy cruiser}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox ship
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
|image=HMS Hawkins.jpg
|image_caption=''Hawkins'', 23 May 1942
}}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career
|hide_header=
|country=United Kingdom
|flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
|name=''Hawkins''
|namesake =[Admiral](/source/Admiral) [Sir John Hawkins](/source/John_Hawkins_(naval_commander))
|ordered=December 1915
|builder=[Chatham Dockyard](/source/Chatham_Dockyard)
|laid_down=3 June 1916
|launched=1 October 1917
|christened=
|commissioned=23 July 1919
|recommissioned=
|decommissioned=
|in_service=
|out_of_service=May 1945
|identification=[Pennant number](/source/Pennant_number): 8A (1919);[Dittmar & College, p. 49] 86 (1920); I86 (1938); D86 (1940)[Lenton, p. 151]
|renamed=
|reclassified=
|fate=Sold for [scrap](/source/ship_breaking), 26 August 1947
|motto=
|nickname=
|honours=
}}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
|hide_header=
|header_caption=(as built)
|class={{sclass|Hawkins|cruiser|0}} [heavy cruiser](/source/heavy_cruiser)
|displacement=*{{convert|9800|LT|t|lk=on}} ([standard](/source/Displacement_(ship)))
* {{convert|12110|LT|t}} ([deep load](/source/deep_load))
|length=*{{convert|605|ft|1.5|in|m|abbr=on|1}} ([o/a](/source/Length_overall))
|beam={{convert|65|ft|m|abbr=on|1}}
|draught={{convert|19|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on|1}} ([deep load](/source/deep_load))
|power=*12 × [Yarrow boiler](/source/Yarrow_boiler)s
* {{convert|60000|shp|lk=on|abbr=on}}
|propulsion=4 × shafts; 4 × geared [steam turbine](/source/steam_turbine)s
|speed={{convert|30|kn|lk=in}}
|range={{convert|5640|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|10|kn}}
|complement=712
|armament=*7 × single [{{cvt|7.5|in|0}} guns](/source/BL_7.5_inch_Mk_VI_naval_gun)
* 6 × single [{{cvt|3|in|0}} low-angle guns](/source/QF_3-inch_20_cwt)
* 4 × single 3 in [AA gun](/source/AA_gun)s
* 2 × single [2-pdr ({{cvt|40|mm|1|order=flip}})](/source/QF_2_pounder_naval_gun) AA guns
* 6 × [21 in (533 mm)](/source/British_21_inch_torpedo) [torpedo tube](/source/torpedo_tube)s
|armour=*[Belt](/source/Belt_armor): {{convert|1.5|-|3|in|mm|abbr=on}}
* [Deck](/source/Deck_(ship)): {{convert|1|-|1.5|in|mm|abbr=on}}
* [Gun shield](/source/Gun_shield)s: {{convert|1|in|mm|abbr=on}}
|notes=
}}
|section4={{Infobox ship/characteristics
|hide_header=
|header_caption=(May 1942)
|power=*8 × [Yarrow boiler](/source/Yarrow_boiler)s
* {{convert|55000|shp|lk=on|abbr=on}}
|speed={{convert|29.5|kn|lk=in}}
|range={{convert|6768|nmi|abbr=on}} at 10 knots
|sensors=*1 × [Type 281](/source/Type_281_radar) [early-warning radar](/source/early-warning_radar)
* 1 × [Type 273](/source/List_of_World_War_II_British_naval_radar) surface-[search radar](/source/search_radar)
* 2 × [Type 285](/source/Type_285_radar) [fire-control radar](/source/fire-control_radar)s
|armament=
* 7 × single 7.5 in (191 mm) guns
* 4 × single [{{cvt|4|in|0}}](/source/QF_4-inch_naval_gun_Mk_V) [AA gun](/source/AA_gun)s
* 2 × quadruple, 2 × single 2-pdr AA guns
* 7 × [{{cvt|20|mm|1|adj=on|sp=us}} Oerlikon](/source/Oerlikon_20_mm_cannon) AA guns
}}
}}
'''HMS ''Hawkins''''' was the [lead ship](/source/lead_ship) of [her class](/source/Hawkins-class_cruiser) of five [heavy cruiser](/source/heavy_cruiser)s built for the [Royal Navy during the First World War](/source/Royal_Navy_during_the_First_World_War), although the ship was not completed until 1919. She was assigned to the [China Station](/source/China_Station) until 1928 and was briefly assigned to the [Atlantic Fleet](/source/Atlantic_Fleet_(United_Kingdom)) in 1929–1930, always serving as a [flagship](/source/flagship), before being placed in [reserve](/source/Reserve_fleet). ''Hawkins'' was [recommissioned](/source/Ship_commissioning) in 1932 for service on the [East Indies Station](/source/East_Indies_Station), but returned to reserve three years later. The ship was disarmed in 1937–1938 and converted into a [cadet](/source/Naval_cadet) [training ship](/source/training_ship) in 1938.
When the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War) began in 1939, the Royal Navy decided to reconvert her back into a heavy cruiser and her original armament was reinstalled. ''Hawkins'' reentered service in early 1940 and was assigned to the South Atlantic Division where she patrolled for [Axis](/source/Axis_powers) [commerce raider](/source/commerce_raider)s and escorted convoys. The following year, she was transferred to the [Indian Ocean](/source/Indian_Ocean) where she played a small role in the [East African campaign](/source/East_African_campaign_(World_War_II)) in early 1941. At the end of the year, the ship returned home for a lengthy refit. Upon its completion in mid-1942, ''Hawkins'' was assigned to the [Eastern Fleet](/source/Eastern_Fleet) and resumed her former roles of patrolling and escort duty for the next two years.
The ship returned to the UK in early 1944 to participate in [Operation Neptune](/source/Operation_Neptune), the naval portion of the [invasion of Normandy](/source/Operation_Overlord) in June. She bombarded German [coastal defences](/source/Coastal_defence_and_fortification) on 6 June, but was [paid off](/source/paid_off) in July. The Royal Navy decided to convert her back into a training ship while she was under repair, but that work was cancelled in 1945. ''Hawkins'' was placed back in reserve that year and was used for bombing trials in 1947. The vessel was sold for [scrap](/source/ship_breaking) later that year.
==Design and description==
[[File:Hawkins class cruiser diagrams Brasseys 1923.jpg|thumb|left|Right plan and elevation from [Brassey's Naval Annual](/source/Brassey's_Naval_Annual) 1923]]
The ''Hawkins''-class cruisers were designed to be able to hunt down [commerce raider](/source/commerce_raider)s in the open ocean, for which they needed a heavy armament, high speed and long range. ''Hawkins'' had an [overall length](/source/length_overall) of {{convert|605|ft|1.5|in|m|1}}, a [beam](/source/beam_(nautical)) of {{convert|65|ft|m|1}}[Raven & Roberts, pp. 51, 404] and a [draught](/source/draft_(ship)) of {{convert|19|ft|3|in|m|1}} at [deep load](/source/deep_load).[ She [displaced](/source/Displacement_(ship)) {{convert|9800|LT|t|lk=on}} at normal load and {{convert|12110|LT|t}} at deep load. The ship had a [metacentric height](/source/metacentric_height) of {{cvt|4|ft|m|1}} fully loaded.][Raven & Roberts, pp. 55, 404] Her crew consisted of 712 officers and [ratings](/source/naval_rating).[Preston, p. 63]
''Hawkins'' was powered by four [Parsons](/source/Parsons_Marine_Steam_Turbine_Company) geared [steam turbine](/source/steam_turbine)s, each driving one [propeller shaft](/source/propeller_shaft) using steam provided by a dozen [Yarrow boiler](/source/Yarrow_boiler)s, four of which were coal fired. The turbines, rated at {{convert|60000|shp|lk=on}}, were intended to give a maximum speed of {{convert|30|kn|lk=in}}. During her [sea trial](/source/sea_trial)s at deep displacement, the ship reached {{convert|28.7|kn}} from {{cvt|61000|shp}}, {{convert|0.3|kn}} below her designed speed at full load.[Raven & Roberts, pp. 52, 55, 405] ''Hawkins'' carried enough [fuel oil](/source/fuel_oil) and [coal](/source/coal) to give her a range of {{convert|5640|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|10|kn}}.[Friedman, p. 390]
The main armament of the ''Hawkins''-class ships consisted of seven [{{convert|7.5|in|0|adj=on}} Mk VI guns](/source/BL_7.5_inch_Mk_VI_naval_gun) in single mounts protected by {{convert|1|in|adj=on|0}} [gun shield](/source/gun_shield)s. They were arranged with five guns on the [centreline](/source/centerline_(nautical)), four of which were in [superfiring](/source/superfiring) pairs fore and aft of the [superstructure](/source/superstructure), the fifth gun on the [quarterdeck](/source/quarterdeck), and the last two as [wing guns](/source/wing_turret) abreast the aft [funnel](/source/funnel_(ship)). Their [secondary armament](/source/secondary_armament) consisted of ten [{{convert|3|in|0|adj=on}} 20 cwt guns](/source/QF_3-inch_20_cwt).["Cwt" is the abbreviation for [hundredweight](/source/hundredweight), 20 cwt referring to the weight of the gun.] Six of these were in low-angle mounts, two in [casemates](/source/Casemate) between the forward 7.5-inch guns, another pair on platforms abreast the [conning tower](/source/conning_tower) and the remaining guns on a platform between the funnels, although all the low-angle guns were removed in 1921. The last four served as [anti-aircraft (AA) guns](/source/anti-aircraft_gun) and were positioned around the base of the [mainmast](/source/mainmast). The rest of their anti-aircraft suite consisted of a pair of [2-pounder ({{convert|40|mm|1|order=flip|adj=on}})](/source/QF_2_pounder_naval_gun) AA guns. The ships were also fitted with six [21-inch (533 mm)](/source/British_21_inch_torpedo) [torpedo tube](/source/torpedo_tube)s, one submerged and two above water on each [broadside](/source/Broadside_(naval)).[Friedman, pp. 66–67; Raven & Roberts, p. 404]
The guns of the first three ''Hawkins''-class ships to be completed, {{HMS|Vindictive|1918|2}}, {{HMS|Raleigh|1919|2}} and ''Hawkins'', were controlled by a [mechanical](/source/mechanical_computer) Mark I [Dreyer Fire-control Table](/source/Frederic_Charles_Dreyer). It used data provided by the {{convert|15|ft|m|adj=on|1}} [coincidence rangefinder](/source/coincidence_rangefinder) in the pedestal-type gunnery [director](/source/director_(military)) positioned under the [spotting top](/source/Top_(sailing_ship)) at the head of the [tripod mast](/source/tripod_mast). The ships were also fitted with one {{convert|12|ft|m|adj=on|1}} and a {{convert|9|ft|m|adj=on|1}} rangefinder.[Raven & Roberts, p. 405]
The ''Hawkins'' class were protected by a full-length [waterline](/source/waterline) [armoured belt](/source/Belt_armor) that covered most of the ships' sides. It was thickest over the [boiler](/source/Fire_room) and [engine room](/source/engine_room)s, ranging from {{convert|1.5|to|3|in|mm|0}} thick. Their [magazine](/source/magazine_(artillery))s were protected by an additional {{convert|0.5|to|1|in}} of armour. There was a 1-inch aft transverse [bulkhead](/source/bulkhead_(partition)) and the conning tower was protected by 3-inch armour plates. The ships' deck protection consisted of 1 to 1.5 inches of [high-tensile steel](/source/high-tensile_steel).[Raven & Roberts, p. 404]
==Construction and career==
{{stack|thumb|''Hawkins'' underway, between 1929–1935}}
''Hawkins'', named after [Admiral](/source/Admiral) [Sir John Hawkins](/source/John_Hawkins_(naval_commander)), one of the leaders of the fleet that defeated the [Spanish Armada](/source/Spanish_Armada) in 1588,[Raven & Roberts, p. 51] has been the only ship of her name to serve in the Royal Navy.[Colledge, Warlow & Bush, p. 192] The ship was ordered in December 1915, [laid down](/source/laid_down) by [HM Dockyard, Chatham](/source/HM_Dockyard%2C_Chatham) on 3 June 1916, [launched](/source/Ceremonial_ship_launching) on 1 October 1917 and completed on 23 July 1919.[Whitley, p. 77] ''Hawkins'' was the [flagship](/source/flagship) of the [5th Light Cruiser Squadron](/source/5th_Light_Cruiser_Squadron) on the China Station by September 1920 and continued in that role for the next eight years.[{{cite web |title=Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy) |url=http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php/Fifth_Light_Cruiser_Squadron_(Royal_Navy) |website=The Dreadnought Project |access-date=16 October 2020}}] She returned to Chatham on 12 November 1928 to undergo a refit that involved the removal of her four coal-fired boilers and the remaining eight oil-fired boilers modified to partially offset the loss of the other boilers. The ship's turbines were now rated at {{cvt|55000|shp}} to give her a speed of {{convert|29.5|kn}}. The coal-fired boiler room was converted into an oil tank which increased her storage capacity to {{cvt|2600|LT|t|0}} and boosted her range by 20%. Her three-inch AA guns were replaced by an equal number of [{{convert|4|in|0|adj=on|spell=in}} Mk V](/source/QF_4-inch_naval_gun_Mk_V) AA guns which were controlled by a Mk I [HACS](/source/HACS) gunnery director. The ship was now equipped with the 15-inch rangefinder in the HACS director and three 12-inch rangefinders.[Raven & Roberts, pp. 61, 405]
''Hawkins'' recommissioned on 31 December 1929 and became the flagship of the [2nd Cruiser Squadron](/source/2nd_Cruiser_Squadron) of the Atlantic Fleet until she reduced to the reserve on 5 May 1930. The ship was recommissioned again in September 1932 to become the flagship of the [4th Cruiser Squadron](/source/4th_Cruiser_Squadron) on the East Indies Station, but was again reduced to reserve in April 1935.[Raven & Roberts, p. 225] From July 1937 she was the flagship of Vice-Admiral [Max Horton](/source/Max_Horton), Vice-Admiral Commanding [Reserve Fleet](/source/Reserve_Fleet_(United_Kingdom)).[{{Cite web | title=Royal Navy (RN) Officers 1939-1945 -- H | url=https://www.unithistories.com/officers/RN_officersH6.html | access-date=2026-01-30 | website=www.unithistories.com}}] In June 1938 this duty passed to [HMS ''Effingham''](/source/HMS_Effingham). In September 1938 ''Hawkins'' became a cadet training ship.[Whitley, p. 80]
===Wartime service===
thumb|left|''Hawkins'' moored alongside the quayside
When the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War) began in September 1939, ''Hawkins'' had her guns and torpedo tubes reinstalled and her anti-aircraft armament was reinforced by the addition of four single two-pounder AA guns.[Friedman, p. 71] The ship recommissioned as a heavy cruiser in January 1940 and was assigned to the South American Division of the [North America and West Indies Station](/source/North_America_and_West_Indies_Station). She patrolled off the [South America](/source/South_America)n coast, searching for German commerce raiders for most of the next year.[{{cite web |title=British Premier 1922 |url=http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/B-Ships/britishpremier1922.html |website=Tyne-Built Ships |publisher=Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust |access-date=23 October 2020}}][{{cite web |last1=Hague |first1=Arnold |title=Convoy WS-5B |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=WS.5A!~miscmain |website=Convoyweb |access-date=24 October 2020}}] The following month, she escorted the [aircraft carrier](/source/aircraft_carrier) {{HMS|Formidable|67|2}} as she sailed up the [East Africa](/source/East_Africa)n coast bound for the [Suez Canal](/source/Suez_Canal). En route, the carrier's aircraft bombed the port of [Mogadishu](/source/Mogadishu) in [Italian Somaliland](/source/Italian_Somaliland) on 2 February. Shortly afterwards, ''Hawkins'' was transferred to Force T which had been formed to support the British invasion of Italian Somaliland with gunfire from ''Hawkins'' and three other cruisers in addition to the aircraft of the carrier {{HMS|Hermes|95|2}}. On 10–12 February, ''Hawkins'' captured five Italian merchant ships totalling {{GRT|28055|disp=long}} that had attempted to escape from [Kismayo](/source/Kismayo), including {{SS|Adria}}. Ten days later the cruiser briefly joined the escorts of WS-5BX off [Mombasa](/source/Mombasa), [British Kenya](/source/British_Kenya), but she was detached on the 22nd in an unsuccessful search for the German heavy cruiser {{ship|German cruiser|Admiral Scheer||2}} after that ship had been spotted by a British aircraft.[Rohwer, pp. 57, 59; Whitley, p. 80]
thumb|Aerial view of ''Hawkins'' after her refit, June 1942
''Hawkins'' remained in the Indian Ocean, escorting convoys and searching for Axis commerce raiders, until she returned to the UK to begin a refit at [HM Dockyard, Devonport](/source/HM_Dockyard%2C_Devonport), on 4 December. Her light anti-aircraft armament was greatly augmented by the addition of two quadruple two-pounder mounts and the exchange of a pair of two-pounder single mounts for seven single [{{cvt|20|mm|1}} Oerlikon](/source/Oerlikon_20_mm_cannon) AA guns. In addition, a [Type 281](/source/Type_281_radar) [early-warning radar](/source/early-warning_radar), a [Type 273](/source/List_of_World_War_II_British_naval_radar) surface-[search radar](/source/search_radar) and a pair of [Type 285](/source/Type_285_radar) anti-aircraft gunnery radars were fitted on the roofs of the newly-installed four-inch directors.[Morris, p. 170; Raven & Roberts, p. 430]
The repairs were completed by May 1942 and ''Hawkins'' returned to the Indian Ocean where she was assigned to the [Eastern Fleet](/source/Eastern_Fleet).[{{cite web |last1=Hague |first1=Arnold |title=WS-21B |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=WS.21B!~miscmain |website=Convoyweb |access-date=25 October 2020}}][{{cite web |last1=Hague |first1=Arnold |title=WS-21C |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=WS.21C!~miscmain |website=Convoyweb |access-date=25 October 2020}}][{{cite web |last1=Hague |first1=Arnold |title=WS-21F |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=WS.21F!~miscmain |website=Convoyweb |access-date=25 October 2020}}][{{cite web |last1=Hague |first1=Arnold |title=WS-22B |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=WS.22B!~miscmain |website=Convoyweb |access-date=25 October 2020}}][{{cite web |last1=Hague |first1=Arnold |title=WS-22C |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=WS.22C!~miscmain |website=Convoyweb |access-date=25 October 2020}}][{{cite web |last1=Hague |first1=Arnold |title=WS-23C |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=WS.23C!~miscmain |website=Convoyweb |access-date=25 October 2020}}][{{cite web |last1=Hague |first1=Arnold |title=WS-26B |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=WS.26B!~miscmain |website=Convoyweb |access-date=25 October 2020}}][{{cite web |last1=Hague |first1=Arnold |title=WS-26D |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=WS.26D!~miscmain |website=Convoyweb |access-date=25 October 2020}}][{{cite web |last1=Hague |first1=Arnold |title=WS-32D |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=WS.32D!~miscmain |website=Convoyweb |access-date=25 October 2020}}] During one of these escort missions, the [troop ship](/source/troop_ship) {{SS|Khedive Ismail}} was torpedoed with heavy loss of life by the {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-27||6}} on 12 February 1944.[Bellars, p. 160] Later that year, ''Hawkins'' returned home, visiting [Scapa Flow](/source/Scapa_Flow), [Lough Neagh](/source/Lough_Neagh) and the [Clyde](/source/Firth_of_Clyde) for exercises before participating in the Normandy landings. Initially assigned to the [1st Cruiser Squadron](/source/1st_Cruiser_Squadron) of the [Home Fleet](/source/Home_Fleet), she was detached to the Western Task Force Gunfire Support Bombardment Force U to support American troops landing at [Utah Beach](/source/Utah_Beach). On 6 June, the ship bombarded the [coastal artillery](/source/coastal_artillery) positions in [Grandcamp-Maisy](/source/Grandcamp-Maisy) and [Saint-Martin-de-Varreville](/source/Saint-Martin-de-Varreville) with some effect.[Buffetaut, pp. 64–65, 86–87]
The following month she was paid off and was sent to [Rosyth](/source/Rosyth), Scotland, for repairs and to be converted into a training ship. The navy took advantage of the dockyard time and upgraded her anti-aircraft armament by exchanging her quadruple two-pounder mounts for octuple mounts and adding a pair of Oerlikon AA guns during 8–23 August. In September, she participated briefly in [Highball](/source/Bouncing_bomb) trials in [Loch Striven](/source/Loch_Striven).[National Archives ADM 119541-119546] The conversion was cancelled in May 1945 and ''Hawkins'' was reduced to reserve and laid up in the [River Fal](/source/River_Fal).[Friedman, p. 416; Morris, p. 170; Raven & Roberts, p. 430] In 1947 she was used for target trials to test the effectiveness of {{convert|500|lb|adj=on}} and {{convert|1000|lb|adj=on}} bombs, and was bombed by [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) [Avro Lincoln](/source/Avro_Lincoln) bombers from an altitude of {{convert|18000|ft|m}} off [Spithead](/source/Spithead) in May. A total of 616 bombs were dropped over 27 days, but only 29 struck the cruiser, of which 13 failed to detonate.[Brown, pp. 244–245] ''Hawkins'' was transferred to the [British Iron & Steel Corporation](/source/British_Iron_%26_Steel_Corporation) on 26 August 1947 and broken up in December that year at the Arnott Young scrapyard at [Dalmuir](/source/Dalmuir), Scotland.