HMS Blonde (1910)

HMS Blonde
History
United Kingdom
Name	Blonde
Builder	Pembroke Royal Dockyard
Laid down	6 December 1909
Launched	22 July 1910
Completed	May 1911
Fate	Sold for scrap, 6 May 1920
General characteristics
Class and type	Blonde-class scout cruiser
Displacement	3,350 long tons (3,400 t) (normal)
Length	406 ft (123.7 m) (o/a)
Beam	41 ft 6 in (12.6 m)
Draught	14 ft 3 in (4.3 m)
Installed power	18,000 shp (13,000 kW) 12 × Yarrow boilers
Propulsion	4 × shafts 4 × Parsons steam turbines
Speed	25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Complement	317
Armament	10 × single BL 4-inch (102 mm) guns 4 × single QF 3-pounder 47 mm (1.9 in) guns 2 × single 21-inch (530 mm) torpedo tubes
Armour	Deck: .5–1 in (13–25 mm) Conning Tower: 4 in (102 mm)

HMS Blonde was the lead ship of her class of scout cruisers built for the Royal Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. She led the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean Fleet from completion until 1912. The ship was temporarily assigned to the First Destroyer Flotilla before she joined the Fourth Battle Squadron in 1913. During the First World War, Blonde was assigned to various battleship squadrons of the Grand Fleet. The ship was converted into a minelayer in 1917, but never actually laid any mines. She was reduced to reserve in 1919 and sold for scrap in 1920.