The Minotaur Class
The escalation in the size of Neptune and the resultant cancellation lead to a new design being developed. The inspiration was the US cruiser Worcester CL-144 which towards the end of the second world war was seen as an attractive proposition by many RN officers.
Four new sketch designs were produced. In sketch A the main armamment comprised ten 6" in twin HA/LA turrets, the secondary armament being sixteen 3"/70cal in twin mountings. Both the 6" and 3" mountings were new designs where development was at an early stage.
Rebuilding the Royal Navy: Warship Design Since 1945 By D. K. Brown, George Moore
Dimensions
Length: 616' / 187.7m waterline; 621.5' / 189.5m overall
Beam: 73' / 22.2m
Power: 110,000shp
Deep condition
Displacement: 16,760 tons
Draught: 23'6"
Speed: 31.5kn
Complement: 1090
Standard condition:
Displacement: 13,870 tons
Draught: 20'
Weights in deep condition:
Hull: 6,470 tons
Armament: 2,235 tons
Equipment: 990 tons
Machinery: 2,150 tons
Armour & protection: 2,164 tons
Oil fuel & diesel oil: 2,570 tons
RFW: 180 tons
Armament:
10x6" guns in 5 twin DP turrets 400 RPG
16x3" guns in 8 twin mountings 800 RPG
16x21" Torpedoes in 4 QR MTGS 17 torpedoes
10x40mm guns in 10 mountings
15 Depth charges
Armour and protection:
Belt: 3.5" C
Bulkheads: 3.5" & 2" C
Protective bulkheads in machinery spaces: 1.25" DW
Magazine bulkheads: 1.25" DW
6" gun barbettes: 1.5" NC
Main deck: 1.5" NC
Lower deck: 1.5" NC
Stats and equipment names are direct quotes from source material