| Name: | LION ex DEFENCE |
| Type: | Cruiser |
| Keel: | 24/06/1942 |
| Launched: | 02/09/1944 |
| Completed: | 20/07/1960 |
| Builder: | Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co, Greenock and |
| Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd | |
| Yard: | Wallsend |
| Yard Number: | Scotts: 611; (Swan Hunter: 1859) |
| Dimensions: | 8800disp - 11480disp, 538.0 x 64.0 x 17.25(draft)ft |
| Engines: | 4 x Steam turbines, Parsons type, DR geared, 72500shp |
| Engines by: | Wallsend Slipway & Engineering Co Ltd, Wallsend |
| Propulsion: | 4 x Screws, 32.0knots |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Armament: | 3 x 3 x 6.0ins, 5 x 2 x 4.0ins AA, 4 x 4 x 2pdr AA guns, 2 x 3 x 21.0ins torpedoes; |
| (1960: 2 x 2 x 6.0ins, 3 x 2 x 3.0ins guns) | |
| History: | |
| 20/07/1960 | British Royal Navy |
| 24/04/1975 | Broken up |
| Comments: | Originally a member of the Minotaur or Swiftsure Class of Cruisers |
| 02/09/1944: Launched as DEFENCE | |
| 1946: Work suspended at Scotts & laid up at the Gareloch | |
| 07/1955: Towed to Swan Hunter for completion to a new design | |
| 1957: Renamed LION, a member of the Tiger Class with TIGER & BLAKE | |
| Unlike her 2 sisters she was not converted into a helicopter cruiser | |
| 15/05/1973: Arrived at Rosyth where equipment & parts were taken for sisters | |
| 24/04/1975: Arrived at Inverkeithing for breaking up by TW Ward Ltd |
Above photo as DEFENCE, laid up at Gareloch, is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo as DEFENCE, leaving for the Tyne, is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo as DEFENCE, on the Tyne stripped of her upperworks, is courtesy of George Robinson
Above photo as DEFENCE, alongside at Wallsend, is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo as LION is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo as LION is courtesy of Terry Summerson. CLICK to enlarge/BACK to return
Above photo as LION is copyright of the Imperial War Museum
Above photo as LION is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo as LION is copyright of the Imperial War Museum
Above photo as LION is copyright of the Imperial War Museum
Above photo as LION is copyright of Dennis Maccoy. CLICK to enlarge/BACK to return
Above photo as LION is copyright of Richard Parsons