HMS Enterprise Part of the emerald class Light Cruisers, was built by John Brown's on the Clyde and laid down on the 28th June 1918, and launched 23td December 1919. In early 1920 HMS Enterprise was towed to Devonport to provide work for the Royal dockyard. and was completed at a leisurely pass. finished on the 7th April 1926. due to the item it took to complete the cost increased tremendously to nearly three quarters of a million pounds. 

Normal Displacement 7,600 tons, full load 9,435 tons, full speed 32 knots. compliment 37 Officers 534 all other ranks.   Armament: seven 6 inch guns, three 4inch guns. Four 3 pdr,  three 2pdr. seven machine Guns. Twelve 21 inch torpedo Tubes housed in four triple deck mountings. above water.

HMS Enterprise movements during her first commission 1926 to 1928.  Left Plymouth 24th April 1926, 

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED. 1926 18,877 MILES, 1927 21,852.6 MILES  1928 22,332.2 MILES 

HMS Enterprise 

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HMS Enterprise

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HMS Enterprise in the late 1930's

HMS Enterprise pictured c.1930

PO Albert James Dixon on board HMS Enterprise

HMS Enterprise during the early stages of World War II

PO Albert James Dixon

A map of the journey taken by HMS Enterprise between 7th April 1926 and 19th December 1928

The band of HMS Enterpirse at Diyatalawa

The Boxing team of HMS Enterprise

The Water Polo team of HMS Enterprise.

The Cricket team of HMS Enterprise at Karachi.

A soccer team of HMS Enterprise at Shanghai

"The Bath" - HMS Enterprise.

The Prince of Wales coming Aft to Address the Ship's Company of HMS Enterprise.

The Prince of Wales with Captain Pridham-Wippell on HMS Enterprise.

The trip from Aden to Mombasa and Dar-es-Salaam and thence to Brindisi was carried out in record time and with no mishaps.  We left Aden at 2230 on November 27th, arrived Mombasa at 0600 on December 1st, took in 1,100 tons of oil fuel, and completed with provisions, and left again at 1400 the same day for Dar-es-Salaam, arriving there at midnight.   His Royal Highness embarked at 1000 on December 2nd, and the ship sailed at 1030.  The Prince and Staff attended Divine Service on the Mess Deck as soon as we left harbour.  Aden was reached at 1300 on the 5th and after oiling (1,380 tons), we sailed again at 1900, and reached Suez at 1200 on the 7th.   His Royal Highness and Staff disembarked at Suez at 2100 and proceeded to Cairo, rejoining at Port Said at 2200 the following day.  The trip up the Suez Canal was somewhat upset by the rather tactless efforts of the Dutch S.S. Kertosono, which succeeded in completely blocking the fairway by getting swung right across the channel just ahead of us.  This delayed us from 11.45pm until 8am the following morning, when by a wonderful feat of handling of the ship by the Captain we were able to squeeze past the obstruction.   We arrived at Port Said at 1600 on the 8th, and completed with 1,240 tons of oil fuel, and were able to proceed on the last section of the journey by the time the Prince of Wales arrived on board at 2200.  Some rather boisterous weather was experienced on the run from Port Said to Brindisi, but in spite of the state of the wind and the sea the ship behaved nobly, and we drove through at 30 knots for a considerable portion of the way, proving that in addition to her steaming capabilities she is a wonderful sea boat.    We arrived at Brindisi at 1130 on the 10th and disembarked His Royal Higness at noon.   Before the Prince left the ship the officers and men were fallen in on the quarter deck, when he made the following very gracious speech :    "Captain Pridham Wippell, Officers and Ship's Company.  I know from experience that it isn't a Service custom to thank anybody for anything, not even when it's the case of carrying out an unexpected, out of the ordinary, and somewhat strenuous duty.  That is the tradition in which the Navy is brought up; to be ready at all times for all emergencies.  But at the conclusion of this strenuous trip from Dar-es-Salaam to Brindisi, a record as regards steaming, I am going to depart from the Service custom and say thank you, because this duty for which this ship was suddenly ordered south from Aden, when you had actually sailed for England to recommission, is of a somewhat personal nature.  The serious illness of H.M. the King made it imperative for me to return to London as quickly as possible, and I could never have got back with anything approaching the rapidity any other way than in Enterprise.  It has therefore been necessary to steam at very high speeds, which has meant extra work for all, particularly for the Engine Room and Boiler Room staffs.  Having served at sea myself, although it's a long time ago, I have not forgotten what even being in three watches is, and it has been hot most of the time.  So that I can appreciate the way you have co-operated towards my return being as speedy as possible, and I can assure you that H.M. the King will appreciate it as well, when he is well enough to realize what you all have done.  I am sure that you are all with me in anxiously waiting for the continuation of better news, and I sincerely wish you a happy Christmas and a real good leave; and may Enterprise's next commission be as successful as this last one has been."     The Captain then made the following reply, after which three hearty cheers were given for our Royal passenger.   "Your Royal Highness.  I should like, on behalf of the officers and ship's company, to thank you very much for your kindness in speaking to us as you have done today, and also to say how very much we have all appreciated the great interest you have taken in the daily life of the ship during your stay on board.  We all realize what an anxious and uncomfortable time this must have been for you, and we very much admire the way you have put up with it.  You carry with you, Sir, the sincerest wishes of every soul on board that better news will await you on your arrival home."   As His Royal Highness left the ship, the side was manned and he was again given three cheers and "a tiger".    

The Prince of Wales coming aboard HMS Enterprise at Dar Es Salaam

The crew of HMS Enterprise - Armistice Day Parade, Seychelles.

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Gloucester arriving at Mombasa.

Captain Henry D. Pridham Wippell of HMS Enterprise.

Some crew of HMS Enterprise make 'the Dragon'

His Excellency the Governor of Ceylon inspects the Ship's Company at Diyatalawa

The Sheik's Palace, Koweit.

Gym display at Akyab

Proclamation Day, Calcutta.

Christmas Day, Calcutta.

HMS Enterprise at Basra, 20th November 1927

The Far East flight leaving Bushire

An Armistice Day Party leaving HMS Enterprise, Karachi.

The Gym Tableau at Shanghai.

Captain Stephen St. L. Moore.

Captain Herbert Fitzherber, C.M.G.

HMS Enterprise bids farewell to Effingham

HMS Enterprise.

The Officers and Ship's Company of HMS Enterprise.

SS Jervis, taken from HMS Enterprise.

The Prince of Wales leaving HMS Enterprise at Brindisi

The Evacuation of Koweit.

Dress rehearsal of the defense of Koweit.