Allied Warships

Light cruisers

Minotaur class

5 ships


The light cruiser HMS Swiftsure (08) of the Royal Navy.

Technical information

TypeLight cruiser
Displacement8800 BRT 
Length555.5 feet (oa) 
Complement730 men 
ArmamentAs designed;
9 6" guns (3x3)
10 4" AA guns (5x2)
16 2pdr AA (4x4)
6 21" torpedo tubes (2x3) 
Max speed32.5 knots
EnginesGeared turbines, 2 shafts 
Power72500 HP 
Notes on classWhen completed these ships also had numerous 40mm and 20mm Anti Aircraft armament fitted. 


All ships of the Minotaur class


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

HMCS Ontario (53)


Royal Navy Royal Navy (more on Royal Navy)

HMS Bellerophon (50)
HMS Blake (99)
HMS Hawke (27)
HMS Lion (34)
HMS Minotaur (53) (To the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS Ontario)
HMS Superb (25)
HMS Swiftsure (08)
HMS Tiger (20)


5 Light cruisers (6 names) of the Minotaur class.

Strikeout means that ship was cancelled (not finished) - not counted in class figures.

Full wartime service history on this vessel.

See all Light cruiser classes.


Books dealing with this subject include:



Return to the Allied Warships section