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Saturday 26 July 2014

Swedish cruiser Göta Lejon 1943-1970 and Chilean Almirante Latorre July 1971-1986


Drawing of G.J. Frans Naerebout, earlier published in Op de lange deining

Sister ship Tre Kronor. Laid down at the shipyard Eriksbergs Mekaniska Verkstads AB, Gothenburg, Sweden on 27 September 1943, launched on 17 November 1945, commissioned on 15 December 1947, decommissioned 1 July 1960, sold to Chile and renamed Almirante Latorre 1July 971, commissioned 15 September, stricken 1984, sold to be broken up at Taiwan 1984. With a displacement of 8.332 tons/8.200 long tons (standard-9.348 tons/9.200 long tons (full laod) were her dimensions 182 x 16,7 x 5,7 metres or 597’1”x 54’9” x 18’8”. Her crew numbered her crew 445 (Swedish)-610 (Chilean) men. Speed 33 knost. Original armament 7-15,2/6”cm Bofors guns (1x3 foreward, 2x2 aft), 20-4cm Bofors guns, 9-2cm guns and 6 torpedo tubes. In 1950 was her armament changed in 7-15,2/6”cm Bofors guns, 21-4cm Bofors guns, 6-2cm guns and 6 torpedo tubes. In Chilean service in 1979 7-15,2/6” guns, 4-5,7cm, 1-4cm guns and 6-21” torpedo tubes. She was slightly armoured consisting of a 7cm/2.8” thick belt, 3cm/1,2” deck while the conning tower and the turrets were protected by 12,7cm/5” thick armour.