Allied Warships

Light cruisers

Fiji class

12 ships


The light cruiser HMS Gambia (48) of the Royal Navy.

Technical information

TypeLight cruiser
Displacement8000 BRT 
Length555.5 feet (oa) 
Complement730 men 
ArmamentAs designed;
12 6" guns (4x3)
8 4" AA guns (4x2)
8 2pdr AA (2x4)
8 .5" AA (2x4)
6 21" torpedo tubes (2x3)
3 aircraft
1 catapult 
Max speed33 knots
EnginesGeared turbines, 4 shafts 
Power72500 HP 
Notes on classAlso known as the (Crown) Colony-class

These ships were a logical development from the Southampton design and were reported to have proved highly successful in service. The hull was shorter than the Southampton class and had less beam reflecting the reduced displacement, they were given a transom stern which benefited the accommodation arrangements aft. Welding was used more extensively in this class than hitherto.

HMS Ceylon, HMS Newfoundland and HMS/HMCS Uganda were completed with only three 6" gun turrets. They lacked X turret, it's place was taken by extra Anti-Aircraft armament. 


All ships of the Fiji class


Royal Canadian Navy Royal Canadian Navy (more on Royal Canadian Navy)

HMCS Uganda (66)


Royal New Zealand Navy Royal New Zealand Navy (more on Royal New Zealand Navy)

HMNZS Gambia (48) (ex. HMS Gambia)


Royal Navy Royal Navy (more on Royal Navy)

HMS Bermuda (52)
HMS Ceylon (30)
HMS Fiji (58) Lost on 22 May 1941
HMS Gambia (48) (To the Royal New Zealand Navy as HMNZS Gambia)
HMS Jamaica (44)
HMS Kenya (14)
HMS Mauritius (80)
HMS Newfoundland (59)
HMS Nigeria (60)
HMS Trinidad (46) Lost on 15 May 1942
HMS Uganda (66) (To the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS Uganda)


12 Light cruisers (13 names) of the Fiji class. 2 of them were lost.

Full wartime service history on this vessel.

See all Light cruiser classes.


Fiji class ships hit by U-boats (1)

23 Jul 1943HMS NewfoundlandDamagedU-407


The Cruiser Uganda

Stephen Conrad Geneja

Books dealing with this subject include:

The Cruiser Uganda, Stephen Conrad Geneja, 2000



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