FIJI

Sister ships:  BERMUDA, CEYLON, GAMBIA, JAMAICA, KENYA, MAURITIUS, NEWFOUNDLAND, NIGERIA, TRINIDAD, UGANDA

Pennant Number:  58

Notes:   The ships of the FIJI class (also known as the "COLONY class") were more compact than the preceding British 6" cruisers, and in October, 1941, the Admiralty considered them to be the best pattern for future cruisers.  The after turrets were mounted one deck lower than the EDINBURGH class, and the ammunition supply was much improved.  The FIJI class were the first British cruisers built with a transom stern.  Tactical diameter was 750 yards at 14 knots.  While considered quite seaworthy, the class were "wet" ships in anything more than calm weather.

FIJI served with Home Fleet, 1940-41.  On 1 September 1940, she was hit by a torpedo from U-32, which flooded the forward boiler room; repairs took six months.  She was transferred to Mediterranean Fleet in March, 1941.  On 22 May 1941, while defending Crete against invading German forces, FIJI came under air attack by Luftwaffe Stuka dive bombers; during the attack, she expended nearly all of her "live" ammunition and had to fire practice rounds in her defense.  FIJI  took one bomb direct hit and three near-misses; two of the latter caused the forward engine and boiler rooms to flood rapidly.  She took on a heavy list, capsized and sank within five hours.

		Argonaut 1167a
		Argonaut 1167a
		Argonaut 1167a
		Argonaut 1167a
		Argonaut 1167a
		Argonaut 1167a
		Neptun 1140 (as NIGERIA)
		Scratchbuilt by John Youngerman