Devonshire-class cruiser (1903)

The Devonshire class was a class of six armoured cruisers of the British Royal Navy, launched in 1903–1904 at a cost of around £850,000 each.

The ships were designed for commerce protection, and the design was similar to the Monmouth class except that the twin 6 inch (152 mm) turrets and the forward double casemates were replaced by four 7.5 inch (190 mm) single turrets in a diamond arrangement. The 7.5 inch gun was introduced because the all – 6 inch gun armament of the Monmouth class was no longer adequate to deal with the latest likely commerce raiding threats.

All ships of the class served in World War I. Argyll was wrecked, and Hampshire was sunk by a naval mine. The four survivors were disposed of soon after the end of the war.

Ships

 * Antrim, launched on 8 October 1903, sold for breaking up on 19 December 1922.
 * Argyll, launched on 3 March 1904, wrecked on 28 October 1915.
 * Carnarvon, launched on 7 October 1903, sold for breaking up on 8 November 1921.
 * Devonshire, launched on 30 April 1904, sold for breaking up on 9 May 1921.
 * Hampshire, launched on 4 September 1903, sunk by a naval mine on 5 June 1916.
 * Roxburgh, launched on 19 January 1904, sold on 8 November 1921.

Building Programme
The following table gives the build details and purchase cost of the members of the Devonshire class. Standard British practice at that time was for these costs to exclude armament and stores. The 1905 edition costs were compiled before the ships were complete.

*** = cost published by Brassey before the ship was complete. i.e. The total cost may have been more than this.