View source for HMS Sheffield (C24)

{{Short description|Town-class cruiser}}
{{other ships|HMS Sheffield}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = HMS Sheffield.jpg
| Ship caption = ''Sheffield'' underway in 1944
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = [[United Kingdom]]
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
| Ship name = ''Sheffield''
| Ship builder = [[Vickers-Armstrongs]], [[High Walker]]
| Ship yard number = 5{{Sfn|Navypedia|}}
| Ship laid down = 31 January 1935
| Ship launched = 23 July 1936
| Ship commissioned = 25 August 1937
| Ship recommissioned = 
| Ship decommissioned = 
| Ship in service = 
| Ship out of service = 
| Ship refit = 
| Ship struck = 
| Ship motto = * "Deo adjuvante proficio"
*  [[Latin]]: "With God's help I advance"{{Sfn|Mason|}}
| Ship nickname = ''Shiny Sheff''
| Ship honours = {{ubl|
|[[Norwegian campaign|Norway]] 1940
|[[Battle of Cape Spartivento|Spartivento]] 1940
|[[Battle of the Atlantic|Atlantic]] 1941–43
|[[Last battle of the battleship Bismarck|''Bismarck'' Action]] 1941
|[[Battle of the Mediterranean|Mediterranean]] 1941
|[[Malta convoys]] 1941
|[[Arctic convoys of World War II|Arctic]] 1941–43
|[[Operation Torch|North Africa]] 1942
|[[Battle of the Barents Sea|Barents Sea]] 1942
|Biscay 1943
|[[Operation Avalanche|Salerno]] 1943
|[[Battle of the North Cape|North Cape]] 1943
}}
| Ship identification = [[Pennant number]]: 24, from 1948: C24{{Sfn|Navypedia|}}
| Ship badge = [[File:HMS Sheffield plaque, Sheffield Town Hall.jpg|80px]]
| Ship fate = Scrapped at [[Faslane]], 1967
| Ship homeport = 
| Ship namesake = [[Sheffield]]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = {{sclass2|Town|cruiser (1936)|0}} [[light cruiser]]
| Ship displacement = *{{convert|9100|LT|t|lk=on}} ([[Displacement (ship)#Standard displacement|standard]])
*{{convert|11350|LT|t}} ([[full load]])
| Ship length = *{{cvt|591|ft|abbr=on|1}} ([[Length overall|overall]])
| Ship beam = {{cvt|62|ft|3|in|abbr=on|0}}
| Ship draught = {{cvt|17|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship power = * 4 [[Admiralty 3-drum boiler]]s
*{{cvt|75000|shp|lk=on}}
| Ship propulsion = *4 [[Propeller|screws]]; 4 geared [[steam turbine]]s
| Ship speed = {{convert|32|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship range = {{cvt|7000|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|16|kn}}
| Ship complement = 748
| Ship sensors = * 1938: [[Type 79 radar|Type 79Y radar]]
* 1940: [[Type 279 radar]]
* 1942: Type  273, [[Type 281 radar|281]], 282, 283, 284 and [[Type 285 radar|285]] radars
| Ship armament = *4 × triple [[BL 6 inch Mk XXIII naval gun|{{cvt|6|inch|mm|0}} guns]]
* 4 × twin [[QF 4 inch Mk XVI naval gun|QF {{cvt|4|inch|mm|0}}]] [[DP gun]]s
* 2 × quadruple [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|QF 2 pdr (1.6 in (40 mm))]] [[AA gun]]s
* 2 × quadruple [[Vickers .50 machine gun|{{cvt|0.5|inch|mm|1}}]] AA [[machine gun]]s
* 2 × triple [[British 21 inch torpedo|{{cvt|21|inch|mm|0}}]] [[Torpedo tube]]s
| Ship armour = * [[Belt armour|Belt]]: {{cvt|4.5|inch|mm|0}}
* [[Gun turret|Turret]]s: {{cvt|1|-|2|in|mm|0}}
* [[Deck (ship)|Deck]]: {{cvt|1.25|-|2|in|mm|0}}
| Ship aircraft = 3
| Ship aircraft facilities = 1 fixed [[aircraft catapult|catapult]]
}}
|}

'''HMS ''Sheffield''''' was the third of ten {{sclass2|Town|cruiser (1936)|0}} [[Light cruiser|light cruisers]] of the [[Royal Navy]]. The ship was [[Keel laying|laid down]] in January 1936, [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] in July 1936, and [[Ship commissioning|commisioned]] in August 1937. She was active in all major naval European theatres of the [[Second World War]], in the [[Atlantic Ocean]], the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and the [[Arctic Ocean]]. 

Her career started with service in the [[Home Fleet]], which took her on patrols against German [[blockade runner]]s and on actions during the [[Norwegian Campaign]]. In August 1940 ''Sheffield'' was transferred to [[Force H]] stationed in [[Gibraltar]]. During the first months of her service with Force H, most of the operations involved either ferrying aircraft or escorting [[Malta convoys|convoys]] to Malta. ''Sheffield'' also operated against German surface raiders in the Atlantic, taking part in the chase for the German [[battleship]] {{ship|German battleship|Bismarck||2}}. On 26 May 1941, she directed [[Torpedo bomber|torpedo bombers]] from the [[aircraft carrier]] {{HMS|Ark Royal|91|2}} to ''Bismarck,'' but took no part in the actual [[Last battle of Bismarck|sinking]] of ''Bismarck'' one day later.

In January1942, ''Sheffield'' was assigned to the escort of [[Arctic convoys]] to Northern Russia and back. But in March she was damaged by a mine and needed four months repair. In September ''Sheffield'' went back to the Arctic, but Arctic convoys were suspended in October in preparation for [[Operation Torch]]. ''Sheffield'' participated in Operation Torch as part of the Eastern Task Force, which covered the landings at [[Algiers]]. Arctic convoys resumed in December 1942 and ''Sheffield'' went back to the Arctic. In the same month, she was part of a cruiser force that repelled a German attack on [[Convoy JW 51B]] in the [[Battle of the Barents Sea]]. ''Sheffield'' damaged the German [[heavy cruiser]] {{ship|German cruiser|Admiral Hipper||2}} and sank the [[destroyer]] {{ship|German destroyer Z16|Friedrich Eckoldt||2}}. In March 1943 Arctic convoys were suspended once more, this time because of the threat of the German surface fleet stationed in Norway. ''Sheffield'' moved again to the Mediterranean and took part in [[Operation Avalanche]]. When the threat of the German surface fleet was much reduced by the disabling of the German battleship {{ship|German battleship|Tirpitz||2}} in September, Arctic convoys were resumed in November. In December 1943 during the [[Battle of the North Cape]], ''Sheffield'' assisted in the sinking of the German battleship {{ship|German battleship|Scharnhorst||2}} whilst escorting convoy [[Convoy JW 55B]]. 

''Sheffield'' went in for an extended [[refit]] in 1944 and saw no more service during the war. She was placed in [[Reserve fleet|reserve]] for a first time in 1959, and after a short reactivation ''Sheffield'' was decommissioned in 1964 and finally [[Ship breaking|scrapped]] in 1967.

==Characteristics==
[[Vickers-Armstrongs]] built ''Sheffield'' at [[High Walker]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]. Her [[keel]] was laid on 31 January 1935, she was launched on 23 July 1936 and she was completed on 25 August 1937.{{Sfn|Robinson|Waller}} The cruiser displaced {{convert|9100|LT|t|lk=on|sigfig=4}} tons at [[Displacement (ship)|standard load]] and {{convert|11350|LT|t|sigfig=4}} at [[deep load]]. The ship had an [[Length overall|overall length]] of {{cvt|591|ft|6|in|m|1}}, a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{cvt|61|ft|10|in|1}} and a [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|17|ft|7|in|m|1}}. She was powered by four geared [[steam turbine]] sets, each driving one shaft, which developed a total of {{cvt|75000|shp|lk=on}} and gave a maximum speed of {{cvt|32|kn|lk=in}}.{{Sfn|Stephen|1988|p=196}} The ship had a capacity of {{convert|1970|LT|t|sigfig=3}} of fuel oil as built, which provided a cruising radius of {{convert|7000|nmi|lk=on}} at a speed of {{convert|16|kn}}.{{Sfn|Lyon|1978|p=55}} By 1942 the ship's complement was 796 officers and [[Naval rating|ratings]].{{Sfn|Stephen|1988|p=196}}

''Sheffield'' mounted twelve [[BL 6 inch Mk XXIII naval gun|BL six-inch (152&nbsp;mm) Mk XXIII guns]] in four triple-[[gun turret]]s.{{Sfn|NavWeaps 6inch|}} The turrets were designated 'A', 'B', 'X' and 'Y' from front to rear.{{Sfn|Lee|2000|p=190}} The [[secondary armament]] consisted of eight [[QF 4 inch Mk XVI naval gun|QF {{convert|4|in|0|adj=on|spell=in}} Mk XVI]] [[dual-purpose gun]]s in twin mounts. Their light anti-aircraft armament consisted of a pair of quadruple mounts for the [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|two-pounder (40&nbsp;mm)]] [[AA gun]] ("pom-pom") and two quadruple mounts for [[Vickers .50 machine gun|{{cvt|0.5|in|mm|1|adj=on}} Vickers AA machine guns]]. By 1942 the latter had been removed and replaced by nine [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]] in single mounts. The ship carried two above-water, triple mounts for [[British 21 inch torpedo|{{cvt|21|in|0|adj=on}} torpedoes]].{{Sfn|Stephen|1988|p=196}} ''Sheffield'' was protected by a {{convert|4.5|in|mm|0|adj=on}} main [[armour belt]], with deck armour varying between {{convert|1.25|and|2|in|mm}}. The armour protecting the main gun turrets had a thickness of {{cvt|1|–|2|in|mm}}.{{Sfn|Stephen|1988|p=196}} The ''Sheffield'' was equipped with a fixed catapult and could operate three aircraft.{{Sfn|Lyon|1978|p=55}}

The first operational [[Type 79 radar]] system was placed into service in August 1938 on the ''Sheffield''.{{Sfn|Coales|Rawlinson|1995|p=xxxiii}} The type 79Y was an air-warning radar, capable of detecting aircraft at {{cvt|10000|ft}}, {{cvt|53|mi}} away.{{sfn|Macintyre|1967|p=75}} In 1940 the set was replaced by a more powerful [[Type 279 radar|Type 279]] air-warning radar, which could also be used as a barrage predictor for anti-aircraft fire with a range of {{cvt|7|mi}}.{{Sfn|Raven|Roberts|1976|p=384}} By the end of 1942 ''Sheffield'' was equipped with a [[List of World War II British naval radar#Type 273|Type 273]] surface search radar, a [[Type 281 radar|Type 281]] air warning radar, [[List of World War II British naval radar#Type 282|Type 282 radars]] for the 2-pounder pom-pom anti-aircraft guns, [[List of World War II British naval radar#Type 283|Type 283]] radar for automatic barrage firing  for anti-aircraft fire by the main guns, [[List of World War II British naval radar#Type 284|Type 284]] radar for surface target direction and [[Type 285 radar]] for the heavy anti-aircraft guns.{{Sfn|Stephen|1988|p=196}}

The anti-aircraft armament was continuously upgraded. During her 1944 refit ''Sheffield'', like many contemporary British cruisers, had her 'X' turret removed to make space and save top weight for anti-aircraft guns. By 1945 her anti-aircraft defence was to consist of four quadruple [[Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun|Bofors 40 mm guns]], ten double and six single Oerlikon {{cvt|20|mm}} cannons in addition to her existing armament of four-inch and two-pounder guns.{{Sfn|Smith|Dominy|1980|pp=177–178}} After several refits in the 1950s, her final light anti-aircraft armament consisted of eight twin Bofors Mk 5 and two single Bofors Mk 7.{{Sfn|Friedman|2010|p=282}} Unlike most Royal Navy ships of her time, her fittings were constructed from stainless steel instead of the more traditional brass. This was an attempt to reduce the amount of cleaning required on the part of the crew. Her nickname, the "Shiny Sheff", stemmed from this.{{Sfn|Robinson|Waller}}{{Sfn|Lee|2000|p=192}}

==War service==
Even before the outbreak of war, ''Sheffield'' was as part of the [[18th Cruiser Squadron]], together with the Home Fleet already patrolling the waters between [[Iceland]], [[Scotland]] and [[Norway]], in search for German merchant ships trying to reach home port before the declaration of war.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=1}} From 6 to 10 September the cruisers ''Sheffield'' and {{HMS|Aurora|12|2}} operated with the Home Fleet consisting of the battleships {{HMS|Rodney|29|2}} and {{HMS|Nelson|28|2}} and the [[battlecruiser]] {{HMS|Repulse|1916|2}} with ten [[Destroyer|destroyers]] along the Norwegian coast against German [[blockade runner]]s.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=3}} ''Sheffield'' and ''Aurora'' were then transferred to the [[2nd Cruiser Squadron]] together with the light cruisers {{HMS|Glasgow|C21|6}} and {{HMS|Southampton|C83|6}}. On 22 September the force sortied into the North Sea but the operation was abandoned when two of the escorting destroyers collided. Three days later the force sailed again, to cover the retreat of the damaged [[submarine]] {{HMS|Spearfish||2}}. This sortie marked the first occasion of using an air warning radar by naval forces when ''Sheffield'' detected nine German aircraft searching for the British force.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=5}} On 8 October ''Sheffield'' and ''Aurora'' were deployed together with the battlecruisers {{HMS|Hood|51|2}} and ''Repulse'' as the "Humber Force" against a reported sortie of the German battleship {{ship|German battleship|Gneisenau||2}}, the light cruiser {{ship|German cruiser|Köln||2}} and nine destroyers in the North Sea. The Germans retreated quickly and no battle ensued.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=6}} On 21 October ''Sheffield'' intercepted and captured the {{GRT|5896}} German [[Cargo ship|freighter]] ''[[SS Empire Conveyor|Gloria]]''.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=6}}{{Sfn|Brennecke|1979|p=94}}

[[File:HMS SHEFFIELD underway near Scapa Flow, 28 October 1941. A6163.jpg|thumb|''Sheffield'' underway near Scapa Flow]]
Following the sinking of the [[armed merchant cruiser]] {{HMS|Rawalpindi||2}} by the German battleships ''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'' off Iceland on 23 November, ''Sheffield'' was ordered to set out from [[Loch Ewe]] with three destroyers to take part in the search for the German force. ''Sheffield'' took part in a tight cruiser patrol line that blocked the return path to Germany but the German ships took advantage of the heavy weather and broke through the patrol line undetected to return home.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=9}}{{Sfn|Bekker|1971|pp=42–44}} In April 1940, ''Sheffield'' had returned just in time from a refit to get involved in the Norwegian Campaign. When in the evening of 7 April news was received  of a massive German naval operation, she set out from Scapa Flow as part of the Home Fleet under the command of Admiral [[Charles Forbes (Royal Navy officer)|Charles Forbes]]. On 9 April Forbes detached five cruisers including ''Sheffield'' and seven destroyers from the Home Fleet to attack the German forces at [[Bergen]]. The force had to abort its mission when attacked by 47 [[Junkers Ju 88]] and 41 [[Heinkel He 111]] bombers. The bombers sank the destroyer {{HMS|Gurkha|F20|2}} and damaged two cruisers.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|pp=16–19}} On 14 April ''Sheffield'' was part of a covering force for the Allied [[Namsos campaign]] and on 23 April transferred part of the [[15th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|15th Infantry Brigade]] for the [[Åndalsnes landings]]. The landings were not successful and in the night of 30 April ''Sheffield'' assisted in the evacuation of British troops from Andalsnes and [[Molde]].{{Sfn|Smith|Dominy|1980|pp=206–207}}{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|pp=20–21}} On 9 May ''Sheffield'' sortied into the North Sea with the cruiser {{HMS|Manchester|15|2}} to cover operations against a German mine-laying operation, but when the German [[Battle of France|invasion of France]] started on 10 May, she was ordered south. During the [[Dunkirk evacuation]] she was stationed with the 18th cruiser squadron in the [[Humber]].{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|pp=23, 25}}

=== Force H ===
The [[surrender of France]] created a void in the Western Mediterranean which was covered by the creation of Force H ([[Vice admiral]] [[James Somerville]]) in Gibraltar on 27 June.{{Sfn|Taylor|2012|pp=166-167}} In August 1940, ''Sheffield'' and the [[8th Destroyer Flotilla]] joined Force H, which consisting of the battlecruiser {{HMS|Renown|1916|2}} and the [[aircraft carrier]] {{HMS|Ark Royal|91|2}}.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=37}} On 7 November Force H executed [[Operation Coat]], escorting reinforcements for the Mediterranean fleet in Alexandria from Gibraltar to Malta. [[Fairey Swordfish]] aircraft from Force H attacked [[Cagliari]] on 9 November. Italian bombers retaliated but obtained only near-misses. Before Force H returned to Gibraltar, three [[Fairey Fulmar]] fighter aircraft were flown off to Malta as reinforcements.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=47}}{{Sfn|Stephen|1988|pp=36–38}} In [[Operation White]] on 15 November Force H escorted the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Argus|I49|2}} to a point West of Malta, where 12 [[Hawker Hurricane]]s were flown off at the extreme of their flight endurance. Only four aircraft made it to Malta due to unexpected head wind.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=49}} On 24 November ''Sheffield'' sailed with Force H for [[Operation Collar (convoy)|Operation Collar]], a supply convoy to Malta. The operation was detected by the Italians and the Italian fleet consisting of two battleships and six heavy cruisers, tried to intercept the convoy. During the inconclusive [[battle of Cape Spartivento]] both fleets bombarded each other at long distance and retreated.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=50}}{{Sfn|Smith|Dominy|1980|pp=151–154}} On 10 December ''Sheffield'' left Gibraltar again with Force H to meet and escort the battleship {{HMS|Malaya||2}} on transfer from Alexandria as reinforcement for Force H.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=52}}

[[File:H.M.S. Renown and Ark Royal.jpg|thumb|Force H: ''Renown'' and ''Ark Royal'', picture taken from ''Sheffield'']]
When during [[Operation Nordseetour]] the German heavy cruiser {{ship|German cruiser|Admiral Hipper||2}} attacked on 25 December convoy WS 5A destined for Gibraltar, Force H left its base for the Atlantic to search for the German raider and to cover the convoy.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=53}} She was back in Gibraltar on 30 December.{{Sfn|Smith|Dominy|1980|p=293}} In [[Operation Excess]], some of the Convoy WS 5A ships continued to Malta and [[Piraeus]], and between 7 and 9 January 1941 Force H with ''Sheffield'' provided cover for these ships as far as [[Skerki Banks]]. An attack by ten Italian bombers was detected by ''Sheffield''<nowiki/>'s radar at the maximum working distance of {{cvt|43|nmi}} and defences could be prepared in time to repulse the attack without loss. After Force H turned away, the escort of the convoy was taken over by the Mediterranean Fleet, which was attacked by Italian torpedo bombers and German [[Dive bomber|dive bombers]]. In the following days, ''Southampton'' was sunk, the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Illustrious|87|2}} and ''Gloucester'' were severely damaged.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|pp=54–55}}{{Sfn|Pierce|2013|pp=38–50}}

Between 31 January and 4 February Force H launched an air strike against the [[Lake Omodeo|Tirso dam]] in Sardinia, but a further planned attack on [[Genoa]] had to be abandoned because of bad weather.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=57}} The operation against Genoa was repeated in [[Operation Grog]] between 6 and 11 February. ''Renown'' and ''Malaya'' fired 273 rounds of 15-inch shell into the harbour and ''Sheffield'' added 782 rounds of 6-inch but to not much effect; only five out of 55 ships in the harbour were sunk.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=58}} This sortie left the Gibraltar convoys without cover. The German cruiser ''Admiral Hipper'' sailed towards Gibraltar and on 12 February attacked [[SL convoys|Convoy SLS 64]] and sank seven ships.{{Sfn|Brennecke|2003|pp=168–178}} On 17 March Force H left Gibraltar for the Atlantic in search of the German battleships ''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'', which were raiding in the North Atlantic. Aircraft of ''Ark Royal'' found in the morning of 20 March two [[Tanker (ship)|tankers]] that were taken as [[Prize (law)|prizes]] by the German battleships and which were [[Scuttling|scuttled]] by their prize crews on approach of surface units of Force H. In the afternoon the German battleships were sighted by a reconnaissance plane of ''Ark Royal'' but the German ships managed to escape during the night. Force H continued to search for the German ships after refuelling in Gibraltar on 24 March, but after air reconnaissance reported the ships in the harbour of [[Brest, France|Brest]], Force H put back to Gibraltar on 28 March.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=64}}

Two days later, ''Sheffield'' and four destroyers were dispatched to check some [[Vichy French]] merchant vessels for [[contraband]] but the ships escaped being boarded when they reached the cover of coastal batteries at [[Ghazaouet|Nemours]].{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=66}} During April, ''Sheffield'' participated with Force H in two more [[Club Run|aircraft transfer runs]] to Malta : In [[Operation Winch]] twelve Hurricanes were flown off to Malta on 3 April and twenty more were delivered in [[Operation Dunlop]] on 24 April.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|pp=67, 70}} [[Operation Tiger (1941)|Operation Tiger]] involved two supply convoys from Alexandria to Malta, whilst from Gibraltar a convoy was to sail through the Mediterranean to Alexandria, instead of going round the Cape, in order to deliver 295 tanks and 53 aircraft which were urgently needed for the upcoming [[Operation Battleaxe]]. Force H with ''Sheffield'' escorted the convoy until Skerki Banks. They were attacked on 8 May by Italian [[Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero]] torpedo bombers and German [[Junkers Ju 87]] dive bombers with fighter escort, but none of the ships suffered any damage.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=72}} Between 19 and 22 May Sheffield sortied once more with Force H together with the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Furious|47|2}} in [[Operation Splice]] to fly 48 Hurricane fighters to Malta.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=75}}

[[File:The Royal Navy during the Second World War A4092.jpg|left|thumb|The crew of ''Sheffield'''s after director tower, pointing to the splinter holes caused by a near miss from ''Bismarck'']]
After the disastrous [[Battle of the Denmark Strait]] in which the German battleship ''Bismarck'' and heavy cruiser {{ship|German cruiser|Prinz Eugen||2}} sank the British battlecruiser {{HMS|Hood|51|2}} and damaged the battleship {{HMS|Prince of Wales|53|2}}, Force H left Gibraltar on 24 May with the aircraft carrier ''Ark Royal'', the battlecruiser ''Renown'', ''Sheffield'' and six destroyers to counter the German ships' breakout attempt into the Atlantic from the South. After learning through intelligence that the damaged ''Bismarck'' was heading for France, Swordfish from ''Ark Royal'' and a [[RAF Coastal Command]] [[Consolidated PBY Catalina|Catalina]] were able to locate ''Bismarck'' on 26 May. Whilst ''Ark Royal'' was recovering her reconnaissance Swordfish and arming them for a torpedo attack, ''Sheffield'' was ordered ahead to make contact with ''Bismarck'' but the aircrew were not informed of that and were even told that no friendly ships were in the vicinity of ''Bismarck''. As a result, the fifteen Swordfish, which were armed with torpedoes equipped with [[magnetic pistol]]s, accidentally attacked ''Sheffield''. Some of the magnetic detonators failed to work properly and about half of the torpedoes exploded prematurely, whilst ''Sheffield'' was able to dodge the others.{{Sfn|Stephen|1988|pp=82–92}}{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=74}}

A second attack by the Swordfish was ordered with torpedoes equipped with contact detonators. This time the aircrew were told to make contact with ''Sheffield'' before attacking. In the deteriorating weather some of the aircraft did not find ''Bismarck'' and had to return to ''Sheffield,'' asking for a bearing to the enemy. After the Swordfish had rendered her un-manoeuvrable with a hit on the rudder compartment, ''Bismarck'' fired six salvoes at ''Sheffield''. The first salvo went a mile astray but the subsequent salvoes straddled her, causing splinter damage and killing three crewman. ''Sheffield'' retreated under a smoke screen and lost contact with the ''Bismarck''. Still she was able to vector five destroyers under the command of [[Philip Vian]] to ''Bismarck'' and these destroyers took over the task of shadowing the enemy. Force H remained in the vicinity until the next morning when ''Bismarck'' was finally sunk by the battleships Rodney and {{HMS|King George V|41|2}}, and the heavy cruisers {{HMS|Norfolk|78|2}} and {{HMS|Dorsetshire|40|2}}.{{Sfn|Stephen|1988|pp=82–92}}{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=74}}

[[File:British Warships of the Second World War A5645.jpg|thumb|''Edingburgh'', ''Sheffield'' and ''Kenya'' underway during Operation Halberd]]
On 8 June ''Sheffield'' left Gibraltar again together with Force H to avoid air attacks from the [[Vichy French Air Force]] as reprisal for the [[Syria–Lebanon campaign]]. ''Sheffield'' detached from Force H to return to Britain and on her way she located and sank one of ''Bismarck''{{'}}s tankers, ''[[Friedrich Breme]]'' on 12 June.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=77}}{{Sfn|Smith|Dominy|1980|pp=129–130}} ''Sheffield'' returned briefly to the Mediterranean in September for [[Operation Halberd]], another supply convoy to Malta. On 24 September the convoy consisting of nine ships left Gibraltar, escorted by the aircraft carrier ''Ark Royal'', the battleships ''Nelson'' ,''Rodney'' and ''Prince Of Wales'', the cruisers ''Edinburgh'', ''Kenya'', ''Sheffield'', ''Euryalus'', ''Hermione'' and eighteen destroyers. On 26 September the British fleet was detected by air reconnaissance and the Italian fleet sailed to intercept with two battleships, three heavy cruisers, two light cruisers and fourteen destroyers.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=103}}{{Sfn|Pierce|2013|pp=70–88}}

The next day the Italian fleet hesitated to engage the British fleet as the Italian commander gradually realized he was facing superior forces. A strike from ''Ark Royal'' did not find the Italian fleet but Italian torpedo bombers damaged ''Nelson. Sheffield'' shot down one of the attacking torpedo bombers. Unlike in previous operations, not all covering forces turned back at Skerki Banks: the battleships did so, but the five cruisers remained with the convoy and sailed on to Malta. Italian torpedo aircraft attacked the convoy at dusk on 27 September. ''Sheffield'' avoided two torpedoes but one freighter was lost. The convoy arrived at Malta at noon on 28 September. The escorts refueled at Malta and returned the same day, reaching Gibraltar at dusk on 29 September.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=103}}{{Sfn|Pierce|2013|pp=70–88}} On her return to the UK ''Sheffield'' participated together with the light cruiser {{HMS|Kenya|C14|2}} in the search for German blockade runners in the North Atlantic, which had been located by [[Ultra (cryptography)|ULTRA]].{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=103}} Only ''Kenya'' was able to intercept and sink the supply ship ''[[MV Kota Pinang (Reconnaissance ship)|Kota Penang]]'' on 3 October West of [[Cape Finisterre]].{{Sfn|Paterson|2003|p=109}}

=== Arctic Convoys ===
[[File:The Royal Navy during the Second World War A4416.jpg|thumb|Funeral service on the catapult deck of ''Sheffield'' for two German crewman of ''Friedrich Breme''. Note the aircraft hangar doors in the background.|left]]
On 7 January 1942 ''Sheffield'' arrived in Scapa Flow and was allocated to the [[10th Cruiser Squadron]] together with the light cruiser {{HMS|Edinburgh|16|2}}.{{Sfn|Smith|Dominy|1980|p=296}} In March ''Sheffield'' participated briefly in the operations in support of [[Convoy PQ 12]], ''Sheffield'' sailed to replace the heavy cruiser {{HMS|Berwick|65|2}} which had engine trouble, in the Home Fleet, just when [[Operation Sportpalast]] based on {{ship|German battleship|Tirpitz||6}} threatened the convoy.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=149}} ''Sheffield'' hit a mine off [[Iceland]] on 4 March 1942 and was under repair until July.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=149}}{{Sfn|Smith|Dominy|1980|p=239}} In September 1942 ''Sheffield'' was stationed at [[Spitsbergen]] as part of a force for the relief and supply of the escort for [[Convoy PQ 18]].{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=195}} Arctic convoys were then suspended to reinforce the Allied landings in North Africa in November.{{Sfn|Kemp|1993|p=113}} ''Sheffield'' joined "Force O" under the command of [[Rear admiral (Royal Navy)|Rear Admiral]] [[Cecil Harcourt]], which was part of the Eastern Task Force responsible for the landings in [[Algiers]].{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=209}} On 9 December ''Sheffield'' damaged the minesweeper ''{{HMS|Cadmus|J230|2}}'' in a collision.{{Sfn|Smith|Dominy|1980|p=237}}

In December 1942, the Arctic convoys were resumed. [[Dudley Pound]], the [[First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff]], insisted that these convoys were given protection against an attack by the German surface fleet stationed in Norway, by giving them cover of a cruiser force all the way to North Russia. The Home Fleet usually sailed as well but kept its distance. ''Sheffield'' and ''{{HMS|Jamaica|44|2}}'' formed "Force R", under the command of Rear-Admiral [[Robert Burnett]] (in ''Sheffield''). Force R escorted the first [[Convoy JW 51A]] into [[Kola Bay]] on 24 December and left on 27 December to meet Convoy JW 51B.{{Sfn|Kemp|1993|pp=115–116}} The convoy was attacked on 31 December by two German forces, consisting of a heavy cruiser, ''Admiral Hipper'' and ''[[German cruiser Deutschland|Lützow]]'', and three destroyers each. In the [[Battle of the Barents Sea]], both German forces were able to reach the convoy but whilst {{lang|de|Admiral Hipper}} tried to lure the convoy escort vessels away from the convoy, {{lang|de|Lützow}} failed to press on and did not sink any merchant ship. Finally Force R arrived and in several engangements, damaged {{lang|de|Admiral Hipper}} with three hits. Whilst the Germans were withdrawing, ''Sheffield'' sank the German destroyer {{ship|German destroyer Z16|Friedrich Eckoldt||2}}. There were some more skirmishes, but the Germans were under strict orders not to risk their big ships against equal opponents and avoided battle. In the bad visibility and the polar nights, the British were at a clear advantage with their superior radars.{{Sfn|Stephen|1988|pp=184–194}}{{Sfn|Kemp|1993|pp=116–126}}

[[File:The Arctic Convoys A14890.jpg|thumb|Picture taken from the bridge of ''Sheffield'' during the gale whilst escorting JW 53 in February 1943, showing waves almost reaching eye level on the bridge.]]
In January 1943 ''Sheffield'' is part of the distant cover force based on the battleship {{HMS|Anson|79|6}}, for the outbound Convoy JW 52 and the homebound convoy RA 52.{{Sfn|Kemp|1993|pp=143–144}}{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=226}} In February 1943, the 10th Cruiser Squadron consisting of the cruisers ''Sheffield, {{HMS|Belfast|C35|2}}'' ''and {{HMS|Cumberland|57|2}}'' as Force R were assigned to escort the next convoy JW 53. On 19 February she was damaged in a gale when a giant wave buried her forecastle and took away half of the roof of 'A' turret. ''Sheffield'' had to be replaced by {{HMS|Norfolk|78|2}} and returned to Iceland for repairs.{{Sfn|Kemp|1993|pp=144-147}}{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=232}} At the end of August 1943, ''Sheffield'' operated briefly together with the heavy cruiser ''{{HMS|Bermuda|C52|2}}'' as a cover force for British anti-submarine forces attacking [[U-boat]]s in the [[Bay of Biscay]].{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=269}} At the conclusion of this operation she rushed to the Mediterranean, to give fire support on 14 September to the troops facing a German counter-attack after the [[Operation Avalanche]] the landings at Salerno.{{Sfn|Lee|2000|p=191}}

In November 1943 the Arctic convoys resumed. The first pair of convoys [[Convoy JW 54A]] and [[Convoy JW 54B]] sailed unopposed but on 19 December, {{lang|de|[[Großadmiral]]}} [[Karl Dönitz]] asserted [[Hitler]] that the [[Kriegsmarine]] would attack and destroy the next convoy. Anticipating an attack by the German battleship ''Scharnhorst,'' the commander of the Home Fleet [[Bruce Fraser, 1st Baron Fraser of North Cape|Bruce Fraser]] organized a trap : for the next convoys [[Convoy JW 55A]] and Convoy JW 55B, the cruiser escort consisting of the 10th Cruiser Squadron with the cruisers ''Sheffield, Belfast'' and ''Norfolk'' would keep ''Scharnhorst'' at bay and shadow her so that he could stay undetected at distance with the battleship {{HMS|Duke of York|17|2}} and race to the scene when needed. On 26 December at 09:21 ''Sheffield'' was the first to sight ''Scharnhorst,'' and in a brief gun duel with the cruisers, the German battleship withdrew and escaped at high speed.{{Sfn|Kemp|1993|pp=159-190}}{{Sfn|Stephen|1988|pp=198-218}}

The cruisers were not able to follow but positioned themselves correctly on the other side of the convoy where ''Scharnhorst'' tried a second attack three hours later. At 12:10 ''Sheffield's'' radar detected ''Scharnhorst'' at a distance of 12 miles and a second engagement developed. ''Sheffield'' was straddled by several salvoes but then ''Scharnhorst'' changed target and hit ''Norfolk'' two times. Fearing torpedo attacks, ''Scharnhorst'' broke off the action and turned for port in Norway. The cruisers kept shadowing but first ''Norfolk'' and then ''Sheffield'' dropped behind with engine trouble. ''Belfast'' remained in touch with ''Scharnhorst'' and guided ''Duke Of York'' to the scene. At 19:45 the German battleship was sunk by gunfire from ''Duke Of York'' and torpedoes from the escorting destroyers. ''Sheffield'' could not catch up in time to participate in the sinking.{{Sfn|Kemp|1993|pp=159–190}}{{Sfn|Stephen|1988|pp=198–218}}{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|pp=292–293}} During the return voyage to the UK, she suffered damage to one of her propellers and went for a small refit to [[Liverpool]].{{Sfn|Lee|2000|p=192}}

On 30 March 1944, ''Sheffield'' left Scapa Flow as part of the Home Fleet, which was a covering force for [[Convoy JW 58]]. After the passage of the convoy to North Russia, the Home Fleet executed [[Operation Tungsten]], a raid by carrier aircraft on ''Tirpitz'' at her moorings in the [[Kåfjord, Alta|Kaafjord]]. ''Tirpitz'' was damaged and put out of action by this attack, but she was repaired within weeks and hence follow-up attacks were needed. ''Sheffield'' assisted in one more carrier operation in May, when she was part of the escort for the [[escort carrier]]s {{HMS|Emperor||2}} and {{HMS|Striker||2}}. This force made two sorties towards [[Rørvik]] and [[Stadlandet]] on 14 and 15 May.{{Sfn|Grove|1993|pp=131–136}}{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|pp=314, 322}} A lengthy refit in Boston and in Britain kept ''Sheffield'' out of action from August 1944 until after the end of the war.{{Sfn|Smith|Dominy|1980|p=275}}

==Post-war==
[[File:HMS Sheffield (C24) MOD 45139960.jpg|thumb|Flagship of the reserve fleet in the 1960s]]
The refit was completed in May 1946 and ''Sheffield'' arrived at her new base, the [[Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda|Royal Naval Dockyard]] in the [[Imperial fortress]] colony of [[Bermuda]], on the 30 August 1946, for duties as flagship on the [[America and West Indies Station]]. Her commanding officer, Captain K. G. Harkness, D.S.C., was also the Chief Staff Officer to the Commander-in-Chief, Vice-Admiral Sir [[Irvine Glennie]].{{Sfn|Royal Gazette 29 aug 1946|}}{{Sfn|Royal Gazette 31 aug 1946|}} She departed Bermuda, and the station, on 26 October 1948, for England, replaced as flagship on the America and West Indies Station by ''Glasgow''.{{Sfn|Royal Gazette 26 okt 1946 p1|}}{{Sfn|Royal Gazette 26 okt 1946 p8|}}

On 12 October 1951, ''Sheffield'' returned to Bermuda again as flagship of the America and West Indies Station, replacing {{HMS|Superb|25|2}}.{{Sfn|Royal Gazette 13 okt 1951|}} From June 1952 to May 1953, her commanding officer was Capt. [[John Gilchrist Inglis|John Inglis]], who was to become director of [[Naval Intelligence Division (United Kingdom)|Naval Intelligence]] in July 1954.{{Sfn|Houterman|Koppes}} In 1953 she took part in the [[Fleet Review]] to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.{{Sfn|HMSO|}} On 18 October 1954, she was replaced as flagship of the America and West Indies Station by ''Superb'', leaving Bermuda the same day to decommission at Portsmouth.{{Sfn|Royal Gazette 19 okt 1951|}} In 1955, she played the part of the cruiser {{HMS|Ajax|22|2}} in the war film ''[[The Battle of the River Plate (film)|The Battle of the River Plate]]''.{{Sfn|Powell|}}

There were further refits in 1949/50, 1954 and 1956–7 when her bridge was enclosed, a lattice foremast added, light anti-aircraft defence was modified and a comprehensive anti-nuclear and biological washdown installed in 1959–60.{{Sfn|Friedman |2010 |p=282}} She became flagship of the [[Reserve Fleet]] and served again at sea in 1960 and then as an accommodation ship until September 1964, when she was placed on the disposal list.{{Sfn|Mason|}} Her equipment was removed at [[Rosyth]] in 1967 and she was then broken up at Faslane in the same year.{{Sfn|Colledge|Warlow|2003|p=297}} The stainless-steel ship's bell, which was made by Hadfields of Sheffield, was preserved and today hangs in [[Sheffield Cathedral]] along with her battle ensign.{{Sfn|Sheffield Cathedral|}}

==Citations==
{{reflist|20em}}

==References==
* {{Cite book |last=Bekker |first=Cajus |title=Verdammte See |publisher=Gerhard Stalling Verlag |year=1971 |isbn=3-548-03057-2 |location=Oldenburg |language=de |trans-title=Damned Sea}}
* {{Cite book |last=Brennecke |first=Jochen |title=Schwarze Schiffe Weite See. Das Schiksal der Deutschen Blokkadebrecher |publisher=Heine Verlag |year=1979 |isbn=3453001036 |edition=7th |language=de |trans-title=Black Ships, Wide Sea. The fate of the German blockade runners}}
* {{Cite book |last=Brennecke |first=Jochen |title=Eismeer Atlantik Ostsee. Die Einsätze des Schweren Kreuzers Admiral Hipper |publisher=Heyne |year=2003 |isbn=3-453-87084-0 |location=Munchen |language=de |trans-title=Arctic, Atlantic, Baltic: The Operations of the Heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper}}
* {{Cite book |last=Coales |first=J. F |title=The Development of Radar Equipments for the Royal Navy 1935-1945 |last2=Rawlinson |first2=J. D. S. |publisher=MacMillan Press ltd |year=1995 |isbn=9781349134595 |editor-last=Kingsley |editor-first=F.A.}}
* {{Cite book |last=Colledge |first=J. J. |title=Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy |last2=Warlow |first2=Ben |publisher=Lionel Leventhal limited |isbn=1853675660 |publication-date=2003}}
* {{cite web |last=DiGiulian |first=Tony |date= |title=British 6"/50 (15.2 cm) BL Mark XXIII |url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNBR_6-50_mk23.htm |access-date=10 April 2008 |publisher=NavWeaps.com |ref={{sfnRef|NavWeaps 6inch}}}}
* {{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=British Cruisers: Two World Wars and After|year=2010|publisher=Seaforth Publishing|location=Barnsley, UK|isbn=978-1-59114-078-8 |author-link=Norman Friedman}}
* {{Cite book |last=Grove |first=Eric |title=Sea Battles in close-up |publisher=Ian Allen ltd. |year=1993 |isbn=071102118X}}
* {{cite web|title=Inglis, (Sir) John Gilchrist Thesiger|url=http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RN_officersI.html |work=Royal Navy (RN) Officers 1939-1945 |publisher=www.unithistories.com|access-date=16 July 2011|last1=Houterman |first1= Hans|last2=Koppes |first2= Jeroen}}
* {{cite book |last=Kemp |first=Paul |url= |title=Convoy: Drama in Arctic Waters |publisher=Casell |year=1993 |isbn=0304354511 |location= |url-access=}}
* {{Cite book |last=Lee |first=Eric C.B. |title=The Cruiser Experience |publisher=Arcturus Press |year=2000 |isbn=9780907322733}}
* {{Cite book |last=Lyon |first=Hugh |title=The encyclopedia of the world's warships |date=1978 |publisher=Crescent Books |isbn=051722478X |location=New York}}
* {{cite journal |last=Macintyre |first=Donald |date=September 1967 |title=Shipborne Radar |journal=United States Naval Institute Proceedings |issn=0041-798X}}
* {{Cite book |last=Paterson |first=Lawrence |title=Second U-boat flotilla |publisher=Leo Cooper |year=2003 |isbn=0850529174}}
* {{Cite book |last=Pierce |first=Michael |title=Between Hostile Shores. Mediterranean Convoys 1941-1942 |publisher=University of Plymouth Press |year=2013 |isbn=9781841023540}}
* {{cite book |last1=Raven |first1=Alan |title=British Battleships of World War Two: The Development and Technical History of the Royal Navy's Battleship and Battlecruisers from 1911 to 1946 |last2=Roberts |first2=John |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=1976 |isbn=0-87021-817-4 |location=Annapolis, Maryland |name-list-style=amp}}
* {{cite book|last=Rohwer|first=Jürgen|title=Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=2005|edition=Third Revised|isbn=1-59114-119-2 |author-link=Jürgen Rohwer}}
* {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Peter C. |title=Cruisers In Action 1939-1945 |last2=Dominy |first2=John R. |publisher=William Kimber |year=1980 |isbn=0718302184 |location=London}}
* {{Cite book |last=Stephen |first=Martin |title=Sea Battles in close-up: World War 2 |publisher=Ian Allan ltd |year=1988 |isbn=0-7110-1596-1 |editor-last=Grove |editor-first=Eric |location=London}}
* {{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=Bruce |title=The end of glory, war and peace in HMS Hood, 1916-1941 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=2012 |isbn=9781591142355 |location=Annapolis, Maryland}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/S-Ships/sheffield1937.html |last=Robinson |first=George |last2=Waller |first2=David |title=Sheffield |work=Tyne Built Ships |publisher=Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust |access-date=25 September 2022}}
* {{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=1946-08-29 |title=Sheffield Due At Bermuda Tomorrow: Flagship for C.C. Here; Has Notable War Record; BERMUDIAN IS AMONG OFFICERS IN CRUISE |work=The Royal Gazette |location=City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda |ref={{sfnref|Royal Gazette 29 aug 1946}}}}
* {{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=1946-08-31 |title=New Flagship Arrives at R.N. Station Here: Cruiser Sheffield Will Be Followed by H.M.S. Kenya |work=The Royal Gazette |location=City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda |ref={{sfnref|Royal Gazette 31 aug 1946}}}}
* {{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=1948-10-26 |title=Sheffield Leaves Today: Visited By 175,000 During 5 "Showing The Flag" Cruises |work=The Royal Gazette |location=City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda |page=1|ref={{sfnref|Royal Gazette 26 okt 1946 p1}} }}
* {{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=1948-10-26 |title=Farewell Dance For "Sheffield" Men |work=The Royal Gazette |location=City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda |page=8|ref={{sfnref|Royal Gazette 26 okt 1946 p8}} }}
* {{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=1951-10-13 |title=H.M.S. Sheffield Arrives To Become New flagship |work=The Royal Gazette |location=City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda |ref={{sfnref|Royal Gazette 13 okt 1951}}}}
* {{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=1954-10-19 |title=Queen's Colour Handed Over To New Flagship |work=The Royal Gazette |location=City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda |ref={{sfnref|Royal Gazette 19 okt 1951}}}}
* {{Cite book |title=Coronation Review of the Fleet, Spithead, 15th June 1953' |publisher=HMSO Gale and Polden |ref={{sfnref|HMSO}}}}
* {{Cite web |title=Fascinating trivia (and any goofs) connected with the film |url=https://www.powell-pressburger.org/Reviews/56_BoRP/BoRP00.html |access-date=22 September 2024 |website=The Powell & Pressburger Pages |ref={{sfnref|Powell}}}}
* {{Cite web |title=A stoker's life on HMS Sheffield |url=https://www.sheffieldcathedral.org/news/2023/5/22/a-stokers-life-on-hms-sheffield |access-date=22 October 2024 |website=Sheffield Cathedral |ref={{sfnref|Sheffield Cathedral}}}}
* {{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Geoffrey B. |title=HMS SHEFFIELD - Town-type Light Cruiser |url=https://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-Sheffield.htm |access-date=22 October 2024 |website=Naval-History.Net}}
* {{Cite web |title=Southampton light cruisers |url=https://www.navypedia.org/ships/uk/brit_cr_southampton.htm |access-date=29 December 2024 |website=www.Navypedia;org |ref={{sfnref|Navypedia}}}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book |last=Bassett |first=Ronald |title=HMS Sheffield : the life and time of 'Old Shiny' |date=1988 |publisher=Arms and Armour |isbn=9780853689119 |location=London}}
* {{cite book|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946|editor1-last=Chesneau |editor1-first=Roger |publisher=Mayflower Books|location=New York|year=1980|isbn=0-8317-0303-2 |chapter=Great Britain |last1=Campbell |first1=N.J.M.|pages=2–85}}
* {{cite book|last=Lenton|first=H. T.|title=British & Empire Warships of the Second World War|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=1998|isbn=1-55750-048-7|author-link=Henry Trevor Lenton}}
* {{cite book |last1=McCart |first1=Neil |title=Town Class Cruisers |date=2012 |publisher=Maritime Books |location=Liskeard, UK |isbn=978-1-904-45952-1}}
* {{cite book|last1=Raven|first1=Alan|last2=Roberts|first2=John|title=British Cruisers of World War Two|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=1980|isbn=0-87021-922-7|name-list-style=amp}}
* {{cite book |last=Waters|first=Conrad|year=2019|title=British Town Class Cruisers: Design, Development & Performance; Southampton & Belfast Classes |location=Barnsley, UK |publisher=Seaforth Publishing |isbn=978-1-5267-1885-3}}
* {{cite book|last=Whitley|first=M. J.|title=Cruisers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia|publisher=Cassell |location=London|year=1995|isbn=1-86019-874-0|author-link=Michael J. Whitley}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|HMS Sheffield (C24)}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20171015055021/https://www.hmssheffieldassociation.com/ HMS Sheffield Association] Official Website at the Wayback Machine
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140811110717/https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraries/archives-and-local-studies/research-guides/hms-sheffield Sources for the study of HMS Sheffield] Produced by Sheffield City Council's Libraries and Archives

{{Town class cruiser 1936}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sheffield (C24)}}
[[Category:Town-class cruisers (1936)]]
[[Category:1936 ships]]
[[Category:World War II cruisers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Tyne]]
[[Category:Ships built by Vickers Armstrong]]