the raked funnels on York to ensure adequate dispersal of the flue gases. As the gun turrets had proved not strong enough to accommodate the aircraft catapult originally intended, Exeter was given a pair of fixed catapults angled out from amidships in a "V" shape, with the associated crane placed to starboard. Consequently, the bridge was lowered (that of York being tall to give a view over the intended aircraft), and was of a streamlined, enclosed design that was incorporated into later cruisers. Exeter was slightly lighter than expected and displaced at standard load and at deep load. The ship had an overall length of , a beam of and a draught of at deep load. She was powered by four Parsons geared steam turbine sets, each driving one shaft, using provided by eight Admiralty 3-drum boilers. The turbines developed a total of and gave a maximum speed of . The ship could carry of fuel oil which gave her a range of at . The ship's complement was 628 officers and ratings. The main armament of the York-class ships consisted of six BL Mk VIII guns in three twin-gun turrets, designated "A", "B", and "Y" from fore to aft. "A" and "B" were superfiring forward of the superstructure and "Y" was aft of it. Defence against aircraft was provided by four QF Mk V anti-aircraft (AA) guns in single mounts amidships and a pair of two-pounder () light AA guns ("pom-poms") in single mounts. The ships also fitted with two triple torpedo tube above-water mounts for torpedoes. The cruisers lacked a full-length waterline armour belt. The sides of Exeters boiler and engine rooms and the sides of the magazines were protected by of armour. The transverse bulkheads at the end of her propulsion machinery rooms were thick. The top of the magazines were protected by of armour and their ends were thick. The lower deck over the machinery spaces and steering gear had a thickness of . Modifications In 1932 Exeter had her side plating extended to enclose her open main deck as far back as the fore funnel. During that same refit, her pair of fixed catapults were finally installed for her Fairey IIIF floatplanes. In 1934–1935, two quadruple mounts for Vickers antiaircraft machineguns replaced the pair of two-pounder "pom-poms" originally installed. While under repair in 1940–1941 after her battle with the Admiral Graf Spee, the Royal Navy