Converted to a dual role as HelicopterCruiser and Assault Cruiser from the Tiger Class Light Cruiser described below. The conversion provided accommodation for a detatchment of Royal MarineCommandos, task force command facilities, a flight deck, and a hanger for four anti-submarine / transport helecopters. The cruiser was host to the Westland Wessex HAS MK3 helicopters of 820 Naval Air Squadron from 1969 until withdrawn from service in 1979, when the ship became the last ship in the Royal Navy to fire a six inch gun. Blake was refitted in 1980 and became part of the Standby Squadron, before being sold for scrap in 1982 due to budget cuts. Displacement 12,080 tons; Length 169m (554 feet); Beam 19.5m (64 feet); Speed 31.5 knots (?); Armed with two twin 6 inch (192mm) guns plus SeaCat anti-aircraft missiles; Crew - 885.
Ordered in 1942 as a Minotaur Class Light Cruiser the ship was partially completed and launched, then laid up for until 1954. Blake was renamed HMS Tiger in 1944 so the name could be used elsewhere, but was then renamed Blake the following year. When building continued in 1954, it was to a revised design known as the Tiger Class, and Blake was launched in 1961, becoming the last Cruiser to enter service in the Royal Navy. Due to the number of crew and the increasing obsolescence of guns, she was withdrawn into reserve in 1963. Displacement 11,700 tons; Length 169m (554 feet); Beam 19.5m (64 feet); Speed 31.5 knots; Armed with two twin 6 inch (192mm) guns plus three twin 3 inch (96mm) guns; Crew - 716.
A steel Blake class Cruiser (1889 - xxxx) Displacement 9,000 tons; Length 114m (375 feet); Beam 20m (65 feet); Speed 22 knots; Armed with two 9.2 inch (234mm) 22 ton guns; Crew - 550 to 600.
