For British E, F, G, H, and I class DDs…use UKN39 E class or UKN5 H class?
Was wondering if anyone had good information on which British destroyers were converted into the GHQ UKN39 E class model configuration during World War II?
Does anyone have a listing with specific destroyer names and possibly dates of when the ship may have been converted from the typical “4-gun†version of the GHQ UKN5 H class model to the “3-gun†GHQ UKN39 E class model version? The GHQ E class model appears to represent a mid-year conversion for escort duty and I have been having difficulty on determining which British destroyers this model is best representation for and during which years of World War II.
I’m trying to determine which GHQ model, the H class or E class, should be used for each of the E, F, G, H and I class destroyers for different periods of WWII?
I’m also trying to determine if any of the E, F, G, H, and I class ships were never converted into the GHQ UKN39 E class model appearance?
If you have any information you can share on this topic, please let me know.
Thanks!
UKN39 E class DD or UKN5 H class DD?
Moderators: dnichols, GHQ, Mk 1
-
ww2navyguy
- E5
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:21 am
- Location: Sunny Florida
-
Donald M. Scheef
- E5
- Posts: 1629
- Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:24 am
- Location: Waukegan, Illinois USA
Appearance of between-wars destroyers
Amazon (D.39): 1924/1925 program: This was a prototype built by Thornycroft intended to form the basis for future destroyer designs. It was basically an enlargement and improvement on the highly successful Modified ‘W’ class.
Length overall: 323â€0’, beam 31’6â€, 1352 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†B.L. Mk I on C.P. Mk VI** (30 degree), 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 3 21†TT, six dc, TSDS
Early war modifications, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr (3â€) AA gun; 1942 ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, AW RDF added, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc rack and two dc throwers, now about 25 dc; 1943 2 x 1 2-pdr replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, forward bank of TT and 3†AA gun removed to allow four additional dc throwers and total of 110 dc; survived to end of war
Ambuscade (D.38): 1924/1925 program: Ambuscade was similar to Amazon but built by Yarrow.
Length overall 322’0â€, beam 31’0â€, 1173 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†B.L. Mk I on C.P. Mk VI** (30 degree), 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 3 21†TT, six dc
Early war modifications, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr (3â€) AA gun; 1942 ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, AW RDF added, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc rack and two dc throwers, now about 25 dc; 1943 prototype squid fitted in place of hedgehog in ‘A’ position, forward bank of TT landed as weight compensation; survived to end of war
A class (Acasta class) 1927 program:
Length overall 323’0â€, beam 32’3â€, 1350 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†QF Mk IX on CP Mk XIV mounts (30-degree elevation), 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 4 21†TT, TSDS mine sweeping gear, no anti-submarine weapons; early-war modifications to all ships – aft bank of TT replaced by 1 x 1 12-pdr (3â€) AA gun, TSDS replaced by rack and two throwers for 25 dc
Acasta (H.09): 1940-06-08 near Narvik sunk by naval gunfire (Gneisenau & Scharnhorst)
Achates (H.12): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height to improve sky arcs of 3†AA, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage (total of 2 racks & 6 projectors with 70 dc); later ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 2-pdr replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm; 1942-12-31 in Barents Sea sunk by naval gunfire (Admiral Hipper)
Acheron (H.45): 1940-12-17 off Isle of Wight sunk by mine
Active (H.14): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height to improve sky arcs of 3†AA, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage(total of 2 racks & 6 projectors with 70 dc); later ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 2-pdr AA replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm; survived to end of war
Antelope (H.36): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height to improve sky arcs of 3†AA, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage(total of 2 racks & 6 projectors with 70 dc); later ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, pdr, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 2-pdr AA replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, 3†AA gun removed to increase total number of dc to 110; survived to end of war
Anthony (H.40): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height to improve sky arcs of 3†AA, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage(total of 2 racks & 6 projectors with 70 dc); later ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, pdr, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 2-pdr AA replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm; survived to end of war
Ardent (H.41): 1940-06-08 near Narvik sunk by naval gunfire (Gneisenau & Scharnhorst)
Arrow (H.42): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height to improve sky arcs of 3†AA, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage(total of 2 racks & 6 projectors with 70 dc); later ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, pdr, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 2-pdr AA replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm; 1943-08-04 at Algiers constructive total loss due to mercantile explosion
A class leader – Codrington (D.65)
Length overall 343’0â€, beam 33’9â€, 1540 tons s.d.
5 x 1 4.7†(initially QF Mk VII with ‘B’ gun in a 60-degree mount; all changed to QF Mk IX, all in 30-degree mount pre-war, 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 4 21†TT
Aft bank of TT replaced by 1 x 1 12-pdr (3â€) AA gun; 1940-07-27 in Dover harbor sunk by aircraft bombs
Canadian Thornycroft type – similar to A class
Length overall 321’0â€, beam 32’6â€, 1337 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†QF Mk IX on CP Mk XIV mounts (30-degree elevation), 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 4 21†TT, one rack and two throwers for 25 dc
Saguenay (I.79): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage; 1942-11 severely damaged by collision with merchant, only partially repaired and relegated to training
Skeena (I.59): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage; 1944-10-25 wrecked off Hvalfjord, Iceland
B class (Beagle class) 1928 program
Length overall 323’0â€, beam 32’3â€, 1360 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†QF Mk IX on CP Mk XIV mounts (30-degree elevation), 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 4 21†TT, one rack and two throwers for 25 dc
Basilisk (H.11): 1940-06-01 off Dunkirk sunk by aircraft bombs
Beagle (H.30): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel lowered, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage; later “A†gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 12-pdr AA replaced by additional dc storage; survived to end of war
Blanche (H.47): 1939-11-13 in Thames estuary sunk by mine
Boadicea (H.65): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel lowered, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage; 1944-06-13 off Portland sunk by aircraft torpedo
Boreas (H.77): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel lowered, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage; 1944 transferred to Greek navy as Salamis
Brazen (H.80): 1940-07-20 off Dover sunk by aircraft bombs
Brilliant (H.84): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel lowered, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage; later DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 2-pdr replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, 2 x 1 20 mm added at searchlight platform; survived to end of war
Bulldog (H.91): pre-war tested a 60-degree mount (CP Mk XIII) in ‘B’ position but this was unsuccessful and was replaced by the standard 30-degree mount; AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel lowered, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage, later “A†gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 20 mm added at searchlight platform, 12-pdr AA replaced by additional dc storage; survived to end of war
B class leader – Keith (D.06)
Length overall 323’0â€, beam 32’3â€, 1360 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†QF Mk IX on CP Mk XIV mounts (30-degree elevation), 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 4 21†TT, one rack and two throwers for 25 dc
1940-06-01 off Dunkirk sunk by aircraft bombs
C class (Crusader class) 1929 program: Note: For political reasons, this class was limited to four destroyers plus a leader. This produced a group of five ships that did not fit into any standard role within the RN, so they were transferred to Canada in 1937/1938. Note: This class had a unique bridge design with the compass platform/wheelhouse separated from the chartroom/director tower by an open gap.
Length overall: 329’ 0â€, beam 33’ 0â€, 1375 tons s.d. (Note: larger than previous destroyers to obtain greater range and allow mounting 3†AA gun)
4 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XIV (30 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 1 x 1 3†Q.F. H.A. II on H.A. III mounting between funnels (probably the worst possible place for an anti-aircraft gun), 2 x 1 2-pdr pom-pom at the aft end of the fo’c’sle, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes Q.R. III, fitted for two-speed destroyer sweep (TSDS, mine sweeping gear), six depth charges; For all ships, the 3†AA gun was removed in 1936 and the 2-pdrs moved back to the same frame. This actually was an improvement because the 3†would have been ineffective and moving the 2-pdrs gave them better coverage.
Crusader (H.60): became Ottawa in Canadian service; 1940 modified for escort service – 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, 2 x 5 0.5†mg replaced 2 x 1 2-pdr, AW/RDF added, 3†AA replaced aft bank of TT, aft funnel reduced in height, ‘Y’ gun mount replaced with additional depth charges; sunk 1942-09-14 by submarine torpedo in NW Atlantic
Comet (H.00): became Restigouche in Canadian service; 1940 modified for escort service – 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, 2 x 5 0.5†mg replaced 2 x 1 2-pdr, AW/RDF added, 3†AA (some sources say 4â€) replaced aft bank of TT, aft funnel reduced in height, ‘Y’ gun mount replaced with additional depth charge racks and dc throwers; 1942 – ‘B’ gun mount replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, additional 2 x 1 20 mm added, 3†(or 4â€) AA gun removed in favor of additional depth charge throwers; survived to end of war
Crescent (H.48): became Fraser in Canadian service; 1940 modified for escort service – 2 x 5 0.5†mg replaced 2 x 1 2-pdr, 3†AA replaced aft bank of TT; sank 1940-06-20 due to collision with cruiser Calcutta
Cygnet (H.83): became St. Laurent in Canadian service; 1940 modified for escort service – 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, 2 x 5 0.5†mg replaced 2 x 1 2-pdr, AW/RDF added, 3†AA replaced aft bank of TT, aft funnel reduced in height, ‘Y’ gun mount replaced with additional depth charges; survived to end of war
C class leader – Kempenfelt (D.18): through 1939 size, armament, and appearance same as C class destroyers except 1390 ton s.d. and carried additional boat; temporarily had prototype 5.1†gun in ‘B’ mount, but this gun design was not adapted by the RN and the gun was made 4.7†to match others; became Assiniboine (I.18) in Canadian service; 1940 converted for escort work – aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun, aft funnel reduced in height, 2 x 4 0.5†mg replaced 2 x 1 2-pdr; later (1941?) ‘Y’ mount gun replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; (1942?) 3†AA moved to ‘X’ position and additional depth charges added; (1943?) split hedgehog added by ‘A’ mount, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, additional 2 x 1 20 fitted, AW RDF fitted, and SW RDF replaced DCT & RF; survived to end of war
D class (Defender class) 1930 program: repeat of C class design except bridge not split, most received 2 x 4 0.5†mg in place of 2 x 1 2-pdr from the start, and more depth charges in place of TSDS:
Length overall: 329’ 0â€, beam 33’ 0â€, 1375 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XIV (30 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 1 x 1 3†Q.F. H.A. II on H.A. III mounting between funnels (probably the worst possible place for an anti-aircraft gun), 2 x 4 0.5†mg at the aft end of the fo’c’sle, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes Q.R. III, 1 depth charge rack and 2 dc throwers with 20 dc. For all ships, the 3†AA gun was removed in 1936 and the 2 x 4 0.5†mg moved back to the same frame.
Dainty (H.53): 1940 modified for escort duty (AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun and aft funnel shortened); sunk by aircraft bombs in Tobruk harbor 1941-02-24
Daring (H.16): sunk by submarine torpedo in Home Waters 1940-02-18, probably before any significant wartime modifications
Decoy (H.75): 1940 modified for escort duty (AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun and aft funnel shortened); 1943 to Canada as Kootenay; ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 2-pdrs replaced by 20 mm, ‘Y’ gun mount removed for additional depth charges.
Defender (H.07): 1940 modified for escort duty (AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun and aft funnel shortened); sunk by aircraft bombs in Mediterranean 1941-07-11
Delight (H.38): uncertain which modifications (if any) had been made; sunk by aircraft bombs in English Channel 1940-07-24
Diamond (H.22): 1940 modified for escort duty (AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun and aft funnel shortened); sunk by aircraft bombs in Mediterranean 1941-04-27
Diana (H.49): 1940 modified for escort duty (AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun and aft funnel shortened); transferred to Canada as Margaree; sunk by collision with merchant vessel in North Atlantic 1940-10-22
Duchess (H.64): sunk by collision with HMS Barham 1939-12-12
D class leader – Duncan (D.99): through 1939 size, armament, and appearance same as D class destroyers except 1390 ton s.d.; 1940 modified for escort duty (AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun and aft funnel shortened); later, ‘A’ gun mount replaced by hedgehog, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 2 x 4 .50†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, additional 2 x 1 20 mm added, 3†AA gun and ‘Y’ gun mount replaced with additional depth charge throwers and dc storage; survived to end of war
E class (Eclipse class) 1931 program:
Length overall: 329’ 0â€, beam 33’ 3â€, 1405 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
Echo (H.23): standard modifications; survived to end of war
Eclipse (H.08): standard modifications; damaged by bomb 1940-04 & temporarily abandoned but towed to port and repaired; sunk by mine in Eastern Mediterranean 1943-10-24
Escapade (H.17): standard modifications; converted to escort in 1943 (hedgehog replaced ‘A’ gun, 4 depth charge throwers replaced 3†gun and ‘Y’ mount), in 1945 double squid replaced hedgehog; survived to end of war
Escort (H.66): standard modifications may have been made before loss, but uncertain; sunk by submarine torpedo 1940-07-11 in Western Mediterranean
Electra (H.27): standard modifications; sunk by Japanese gunfire and torpedoes 1942-02
Encounter (H.10): standard modifications; sunk by Japanese gunfire and torpedoes 1942-03
Esk (H.15): completed as minelayer (when carrying mines, no guns in ‘A’ and ‘Y’ locations, no torpedoes, up to 60 Mk. XIVA mines); sunk 1940-08-31 by mine
Express (H.61): completed as minelayer (as Esk); severely damaged by mine 1940-08-31, under repair for > 12 months; emerged with 4.7†gun in ‘A’ position, 2 x 6 pdr (57 mm) plus hedgehog in ‘B’ position, 3†AA in aft torpedo tube location, 4.7†gun in ‘X’ position, and depth charge throwers & racks in place of mine laying gear; transferred to Canada as RCN Gatineau.
“standard modifications†(performed mid- to late-1940, depending on when ship happened to be in port for maintenance or repair) = 12 pdr (3â€) antiaircraft gun replaced aft bank of torpedo tubes, aft funnel shortened and mainmast removed, 2 x 1 20 mm Oerlikon automatic cannon replaced quadruple 0.5†machine guns, additional 2 x 1 20 mm added in most cases, and aircraft warning radar added. Strangely, I can not find any ships in this class that retained ‘A,’ ‘B,’ and ‘X’ gun mounts but landed the ‘Y’ mount in favor of additional anti-submarine weapons (as in GHQ’s UKN39, E class) Update: I have found a picture of Express from 1942 (in the Wikipedia article) in which she appears to have 4.7†gun mounts in ‘A,’ ‘B,’ and ‘X’ positions (but not in ‘Y’ position). However, this may not match the appearance of UKN39 because it also seems to show two banks of torpedoes. The resolution of the picture is not adequate for me to be sure.
E class leader – Exmouth
Length overall: 343’ 0â€, beam 33’ 9â€, 1495 tons s.d.
5 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft plus one between funnels, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns at wings of signal bridge, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
Probably no modifications before being sunk 1940-01-21 by submarine torpedo in home waters
F class (Fearless class) 1932 program: Repeat E class
Length overall: 329’ 0â€, beam 33’ 3â€, 1405 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4,7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
Fame (H.78): standard modifications; in 1941 radar replaced director control tower (DCT) & rangefinder (RF), hedgehog replaced ‘A’ mount, and ‘Y’ mount replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; in 1943 ‘A’ mount restored, initial hedgehog replaced by split hedgehog, and 3†AA replaced by additional 20 mm (total of 6 x 1 at this time); survived to end of war
Fearless (H.67): standard modifications; in 1941 ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; sunk by aircraft torpedo in Mediterranean 1941-07
Firedrake (H.79): standard modifications; ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; severely damaged by aircraft bombs in Mediterranean 1941-07; repaired in US; sunk by submarine torpedo in North Atlantic 1942-12
Forester (H.74): standard modifications; in 1941 ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; in 1943 split hedgehog added forward and short-wave radio direction finder (SWRDF) replaced DCT & RF; survived to end of war
Foresight (H.68): standard modifications; sunk by aircraft torpedo in Mediterranean 1942-08
Fortune (H.70): standard modifications; in 1941 ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; in 1943 split hedgehog added forward and short-wave radio direction finder (SWRDF) replaced DCT & RF; transferred to Canada 1943-06;survived to end of war
Foxhound (H.69): standard modifications; in 1941 ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; in 1943 split hedgehog added forward and short-wave radio direction finder (SWRDF) replaced DCT & RF; transferred to Canada 1943-06; survived to end of war
Fury (H.76): standard modifications; damaged by mine off Normandy 1944-06, grounded and constructive total loss
“standard modifications†essentially the same as for E class, except that F class tended to retain quad mount 0.5†machine guns longer. It seems that GHQ’s UKN39 is a better match to ~ 1941 F class than it is to E class.
F class leader – Faulknor – initially same as Exmouth
Length overall: 343’ 0â€, beam 33’ 9â€, 1495 tons s.d.
5 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft plus one between funnels, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
1941-01, 3†AA replaced aft bank of TT; 1942-01, high-angle radio-direction (HA/RD) replaced DCT & RF and aft funnel reduced in height; 1943-01, 3†AA moved to ‘X’ position (some say now 4†AA), aft bank of TT reinstalled, 4 x 1 20 mm added (one pair replacing 0.5â€, other pair on after deck house); 1945-01, ‘Q’ mount 4.7†replaced by quad 2 pdr pom-pom and 2 x 2 20 mm added; survived to end of war
G class (Greyhound class) 1933 program
Length overall: 323’ 0â€, beam 33’ 3â€, 1350 tons s.d. Note that the G class is smaller than the preceding classes. This was due to an improvement in power plant design. In most countries, this would have been used to improve the performance (power, range, habitability, and/or space for weapons). The British government decided to reduce the size of the ships as an economy measure. Of course, the cost of re-designing the hull more than offset any savings in materials and there was less room for weapons when the war came around.
4 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI) (except Glowworm, described below), one rack and two dc throwers, 20 depth charges, TSDS
Gallant (H.59): standard modifications; 1941-01-10 mined in Mediterranean, beached at Malta and expended as blockship
Garland (H.37): standard modifications; 1940 transferred to Polish Navy under same name; 1941 ‘Y’ gun landed for additional dc throwers & storage, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, additional 2 x 1 20 added to bridge wings; 1942 ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog, additional 2 x 1 20 mm added to searchlight platform.
Gipsy (H.63): 1939-11-21 sunk by mine in home waters
Glowworm (H.92): built with 2 x 5 21†TT P.R. Mk. I; 1940-04-07 sunk by naval gunfire (German destroyers and cruiser Admiral Hipper)
Grafton (H.89): 1940-05-29 severely damaged by submarine torpedo off Dunkirk, abandoned and sunk
Grenade (H.86) 1940-05-29 sunk by aircraft bombs off Dunkirk
Greyhound (H.31): standard modifications; 1941 ‘Y’ gun removed for additional dc throwers and storage, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, additional 2 x 1 20 mm in bridge wings; 1943 ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 3†AA removed for additional dc storage, additional 2 x 1 20 mm on searchlight platform, transferred to Canada as Ottawa (ii)
“standard modifications†(performed mid- to late-1940, depending on when ship happened to be in port for maintenance or repair) = 12 pdr (3â€) antiaircraft gun replaced aft bank of torpedo tubes, aft funnel shortened and mainmast removed, and aircraft warning radar added.
G class leader – Grenville (H.03): similar to Faulknor except for length
Length overall: 330’ 0â€, beam 34’ 6â€, 1465 tons s.d.
5 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft plus one between funnels, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
1940-01-19 sunk by mine in North Sea
H class (Hero class) 1934 program
Length overall: 323’ 0â€, beam 33’ 0â€, 1340 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting (except Hereward as described below), superimposed fore and aft, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
Hasty (H.24): standard modifications; 1940 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, additional 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1942-06-15 sunk by MTB torpedo in eastern Mediterranean
Havock (H.43):standard modifications; 1940 2 x 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, 2 x 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1942-04 damaged by air attack, grounded beyond recovery on French coast en-route from Malta to Gibralter
Hereward (H.93): completed with twin 4.7†C.P. mounting Mk. XVIII in ‘B’ position (some written accounts imply that this was in addition to a single mount in ‘A’ position, but the only photograph I have found clearly show nothing in the ‘A’ position), revised bridge to provide helmsman line of sight above the mount, and higher funnels (possibly to keep exhaust from the bridge?); 1937 twin mount removed from ‘B’ position and single 4.7†mounts placed in ‘A’ and ‘B’ positions; standard modifications; 1940 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1941-05-29 sunk by aircraft torpedo off Crete
Hero (H.99): completed with same bridge as Hereward, but not twin gun mount; standard modifications; 1940 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1943 ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, DCT and RF replaced by SW RDF, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage, transferred to Canada as Chaudiere; survived to end of war
Hostile (H.55): 1940 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€; 1940-08-23 sunk by mine
Hotspur (H.01): standard modifications; 1940 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1943 ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 3†AA gun removed for additional dc storage and 2 x 1 20 mm added; survived to end of war
Hunter (H.35): 1940-04-10 sunk by naval gunfire and collision at Narvik
Hyperion (H.97): standard modifications; 1940 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm; 1940-12-22 sunk by submarine torpedo in Mediterranean
“standard modifications†(performed mid- to late-1940, depending on when ship happened to be in port for maintenance or repair) = 12 pdr (3â€) antiaircraft gun replaced aft bank of torpedo tubes, aft funnel shortened and mainmast removed, and aircraft warning radar added.
H class leader – Hardy (H.87): Similar to Grenville except for tripod foremast
Length overall: 330’ 0â€, beam 34’ 0â€, 1455 tons s.d.
5 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft plus one between funnels, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
1940-04-10 severely damaged by naval gunfire of German destroyers at Narvik, beached, abandoned, and capsized
Ex-Brazilian Juruena class – built in British yards for Brazil but taken over (purchased) by UK; essentially repeats of the H class except lower funnels and armament as described below
Length overall: 323’ 0â€, beam 33’ 0â€, 1340 tons s.d.
3 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting (‘A’ ‘B’ and ‘X’ mountings; ‘Y’ position used for additional anti-submarine weapons), superimposed fore and aft, combined DCT and RF [except Havant, Hesperus, Havelock, and Highlander as described below], 2 x 1 20 mm automatic cannon, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI) [except Havant, Hesperus, Havelock, and Highlander as described below], 2 racks & 4 projectors for 110 depth charges
Harvester (H.19) [intended to be Brazilian Jurua, initially named Handy in British service but changed 1940-02-27 to avoid confusion with Hardy): entered service with rudimentary rangefinder instead of combined DCT/RF and with no torpedo tubes; when available, combined DCT/RF fitted, forward bank of TT installed, 3†AA gun in place of aft TTs, AW/RDF fitted, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1943-03-11 sunk by submarine torpedo in North Atlantic
Havant (H.32) [intended to be Brazilian Javary]: entered service with rudimentary rangefinder instead of combined DCT/RF and with no torpedo tubes; received both banks of TT; 1940-06-01 severely damaged by aircraft bombs off Dunkirk, abandoned and intentionally sunk
Havelock (H.88) [intended to be Brazilian Jutahy]: entered service with rudimentary rangefinder instead of combined DCT/RF and with no torpedo tubes; when available, combined DCT/RF fitted, forward bank of TT installed, 3†AA gun in place of aft TTs, AW/RDF fitted, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; later ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT/RF replaced by SW/RDF, 3†AA gun removed for additional dc storage; survived to end of war
Hesperus (H.57) [intended to be Brazilian Juruena, initially named Hearty in British service but changed 1940-02-27 to avoid confusion with Hardy, informally referred to as ‘Heinz’ because of pennant number): entered service with rudimentary rangefinder instead of combined DCT/RF and with no torpedo tubes; when available, combined DCT/RF fitted, forward bank of TT installed, 3†AA gun in place of aft TTs, AW/RDF fitted, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; later ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT/RF replaced by SW/RDF, 3†AA gun removed for additional dc storage; survived to end of war
Highlander (H.44) [intended to be Brazilian Jaguaribe]: entered service with rudimentary rangefinder instead of combined DCT/RF and with no torpedo tubes; when available, combined DCT/RF fitted, forward bank of TT installed, 3†AA gun in place of aft TTs, AW/RDF fitted, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; later ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT/RF replaced by SW/RDF, 3†AA gun removed for additional dc storage; survived to end of war
Hurricane (H.06) [intended to be Brazilian Japarua]: early 1940 AW/RDF fitted, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1941-01-07 bombed and sunk in Liverpool, raised and returned to service in 1943-01; 1943-12-24 sunk off Azores by submarine torpedo
I class (Intrepid class) 1935 program
Length overall: 323’ 0â€, beam 33’ 0â€, 1370 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†Q.F. Mk. IX on C.P. XVIII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 5 21†torpedo tubes (P.R. Mk. I), 2 racks & 2 projectors for 16 dc, TSDS, all capable of carrying mines (Note: All of the destroyers had the angled bridge introduced by Hereward. There was no raised casing over the engine room – this was to counteract the extra weight of the fifth tube in each torpedo mount)
Icarus (D.03): early in war served as minelayer (no 4.7†guns in ‘A’ or ‘Y’ position, no TT, up to 60 mines carried), then as destroyer (‘A’ and ‘Y’ guns restored, forward bank of TT restored but with center tube empty, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, AW/RDF and HF/DF fitted, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, aft funnel reduced in height, 3†AA gun in place of after TT, by 1944 hedgehog replaced ‘A’ gun, ‘Y’ gun and 3†AA landed, 2 x 1 20 mm added, now 2 racks and 6 projectors for 110 mines; survived to end of war
Ilex (D.61): early modifications – 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height, aft TT mount replaced by 3†AA gun; 1941-06 in Mediterranean severely damaged by aircraft bombs, under repair in US until 1943-02 with AW RDF added, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, center tube of remaining TT mount removed to reduce topweight; by 1944 ‘Y’ gun landed, 3†gun landed, 2 x 1 20 mm added, now 2 racks and 6 projectors for 110 dc; survived to end of war
Imogen (D.44): 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height, aft TT mount replaced by 3†AA gun; 1940-07-06 off Scottish coast collided with cruiser Glasgow, caught fire and abandoned
Imperial (D.09): 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height, aft TT mount replaced by 3†AA gun; 1940-10-11 in Mediterranean severely damaged by mine, six under repair; 1941-05-29 severely damaged by aircraft bomb near miss, abandoned and intentionally sunk
Impulsive (D.11): early in war served as minelayer (no 4.7†guns in ‘A’ or ‘Y’ position, no TT, up to 60 mines carried), then as destroyer (‘A’ and ‘Y’ guns restored, forward bank of TT restored but with center tube empty, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, AW/RDF and HF/DF fitted, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, aft funnel reduced in height, 3†AA gun in place of after TT, by 1944 ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6 pdr, ‘Y’ gun and 3†AA landed, 2 x 1 20 mm added, now 2 racks and 6 projectors for 110 mines; survived to end of war
Intrepid (D.10): early in war served as minelayer (no 4.7†guns in ‘A’ or ‘Y’ position, no TT, up to 60 mines carried), then as destroyer (‘A’ and ‘Y’ guns restored, forward bank of TT restored but with center tube empty, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, AW/RDF and HF/DF fitted, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, aft funnel reduced in height, 3†AA gun in place of after TT; later ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6 pdr, ‘Y’ gun and 3†AA landed, 2 x 1 20 mm added, now 2 racks and 6 projectors for 110 mines; 1943-07-27 in Mediterranean sunk by aircraft bombs
Isis (D.87): early modifications – 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height, aft TT mount replaced by 3†AA gun; 1941-06 in Mediterranean severely damaged by aircraft bombs, sent to Singapore for repairs; at time of Japanese invasion towed to Java, Colombo, and finally Bombay for completion of repairs; AW RDF added, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, center tube of remaining TT mount removed to reduce topweight; later ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog, ‘Y’ gun and 3†AA landed, 2 x 1 20 mm added, now 2 racks and 6 projectors for 110 mines; 1944-07-20 off Normandy sunk by miniature submarine torpedo
Ivanhoe (D.16): early in war served as minelayer (no 4.7†guns in ‘A’ or ‘Y’ position, no TT, up to 60 mines carried); in this configuration 1940-09-01 in North Sea severely damaged by mine, subsequently additional damage by aircraft bombs, finally abandoned and intentionally sunk
I class leader – Inglefield (D.02): Similar to Hardy except for pentad torpedo tube mounts. Note: Inglefield had the older style bridge, different from all the destroyers of I class.
Length overall: 337’ 0â€, beam 34’ 0â€, 1544 tons s.d.
5 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVIII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft plus one between funnels, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 5 21†torpedo tubes (P.R. Mk. I)
early modifications – aft funnel reduced in height, aft TT mount replaced by 3†AA gun, 2 x 1 20 mm added to aft deck house; 1942 AW RDF added, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, 3†AA moved to ‘X’ position and aft bank of TT restored (but with center tube removed from both banks); 1944-02-25 off Anzio sunk by guided bomb
Ex-Turkish Demirhisar class – built in British yards for Turkey but two taken over (purchased) by UK; essentially repeats of the I class except as described below (Considering the desperate need for ships of this type and Turkish antipathy towards British interests, it is surprising that the other two were delivered to the intended customer. The British ships did not enter service until well after the start of the war.)
Length overall: 323’ 0â€, beam 33’ 0â€, 1370 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†Q.F. Mk. IX on C.P. XVIII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 2 x 4 0.5†mg, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI), 2 racks & 2 projectors for 16 dc
Inconstant (H.49) [ex-Turkish Mauavenet]: 1942 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, aft bank of TT replaced by 1 x 1 3†AA gun; 1943 converted for escort duty, AW/RDF fitted, DCT/RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 20 mm added on searchlight platform, 3†AA gun and ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc projectors and dc storage; survived to end of war at which time she was refurbished and retroceded to Turkey as Mauavenet
Ithuriel (H.05) [ex-Turkish Gayret]: 1942 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, aft bank of TT replaced by 1 x 1 3†AA gun;1942-11-28 in Mediterranean constructive total loss due to aircraft bombs, guns landed for coastal defense and hull scrapped post-war
Don S.
Amazon (D.39): 1924/1925 program: This was a prototype built by Thornycroft intended to form the basis for future destroyer designs. It was basically an enlargement and improvement on the highly successful Modified ‘W’ class.
Length overall: 323â€0’, beam 31’6â€, 1352 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†B.L. Mk I on C.P. Mk VI** (30 degree), 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 3 21†TT, six dc, TSDS
Early war modifications, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr (3â€) AA gun; 1942 ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, AW RDF added, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc rack and two dc throwers, now about 25 dc; 1943 2 x 1 2-pdr replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, forward bank of TT and 3†AA gun removed to allow four additional dc throwers and total of 110 dc; survived to end of war
Ambuscade (D.38): 1924/1925 program: Ambuscade was similar to Amazon but built by Yarrow.
Length overall 322’0â€, beam 31’0â€, 1173 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†B.L. Mk I on C.P. Mk VI** (30 degree), 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 3 21†TT, six dc
Early war modifications, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr (3â€) AA gun; 1942 ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, AW RDF added, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc rack and two dc throwers, now about 25 dc; 1943 prototype squid fitted in place of hedgehog in ‘A’ position, forward bank of TT landed as weight compensation; survived to end of war
A class (Acasta class) 1927 program:
Length overall 323’0â€, beam 32’3â€, 1350 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†QF Mk IX on CP Mk XIV mounts (30-degree elevation), 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 4 21†TT, TSDS mine sweeping gear, no anti-submarine weapons; early-war modifications to all ships – aft bank of TT replaced by 1 x 1 12-pdr (3â€) AA gun, TSDS replaced by rack and two throwers for 25 dc
Acasta (H.09): 1940-06-08 near Narvik sunk by naval gunfire (Gneisenau & Scharnhorst)
Achates (H.12): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height to improve sky arcs of 3†AA, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage (total of 2 racks & 6 projectors with 70 dc); later ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 2-pdr replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm; 1942-12-31 in Barents Sea sunk by naval gunfire (Admiral Hipper)
Acheron (H.45): 1940-12-17 off Isle of Wight sunk by mine
Active (H.14): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height to improve sky arcs of 3†AA, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage(total of 2 racks & 6 projectors with 70 dc); later ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 2-pdr AA replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm; survived to end of war
Antelope (H.36): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height to improve sky arcs of 3†AA, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage(total of 2 racks & 6 projectors with 70 dc); later ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, pdr, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 2-pdr AA replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, 3†AA gun removed to increase total number of dc to 110; survived to end of war
Anthony (H.40): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height to improve sky arcs of 3†AA, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage(total of 2 racks & 6 projectors with 70 dc); later ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, pdr, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 2-pdr AA replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm; survived to end of war
Ardent (H.41): 1940-06-08 near Narvik sunk by naval gunfire (Gneisenau & Scharnhorst)
Arrow (H.42): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height to improve sky arcs of 3†AA, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage(total of 2 racks & 6 projectors with 70 dc); later ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, pdr, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 2-pdr AA replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm; 1943-08-04 at Algiers constructive total loss due to mercantile explosion
A class leader – Codrington (D.65)
Length overall 343’0â€, beam 33’9â€, 1540 tons s.d.
5 x 1 4.7†(initially QF Mk VII with ‘B’ gun in a 60-degree mount; all changed to QF Mk IX, all in 30-degree mount pre-war, 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 4 21†TT
Aft bank of TT replaced by 1 x 1 12-pdr (3â€) AA gun; 1940-07-27 in Dover harbor sunk by aircraft bombs
Canadian Thornycroft type – similar to A class
Length overall 321’0â€, beam 32’6â€, 1337 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†QF Mk IX on CP Mk XIV mounts (30-degree elevation), 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 4 21†TT, one rack and two throwers for 25 dc
Saguenay (I.79): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage; 1942-11 severely damaged by collision with merchant, only partially repaired and relegated to training
Skeena (I.59): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage; 1944-10-25 wrecked off Hvalfjord, Iceland
B class (Beagle class) 1928 program
Length overall 323’0â€, beam 32’3â€, 1360 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†QF Mk IX on CP Mk XIV mounts (30-degree elevation), 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 4 21†TT, one rack and two throwers for 25 dc
Basilisk (H.11): 1940-06-01 off Dunkirk sunk by aircraft bombs
Beagle (H.30): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel lowered, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage; later “A†gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 12-pdr AA replaced by additional dc storage; survived to end of war
Blanche (H.47): 1939-11-13 in Thames estuary sunk by mine
Boadicea (H.65): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel lowered, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage; 1944-06-13 off Portland sunk by aircraft torpedo
Boreas (H.77): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel lowered, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage; 1944 transferred to Greek navy as Salamis
Brazen (H.80): 1940-07-20 off Dover sunk by aircraft bombs
Brilliant (H.84): AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel lowered, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage; later DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 2-pdr replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, 2 x 1 20 mm added at searchlight platform; survived to end of war
Bulldog (H.91): pre-war tested a 60-degree mount (CP Mk XIII) in ‘B’ position but this was unsuccessful and was replaced by the standard 30-degree mount; AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel lowered, aft bank of TT replaced by 12-pdr AA gun, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage, later “A†gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT & RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 20 mm added at searchlight platform, 12-pdr AA replaced by additional dc storage; survived to end of war
B class leader – Keith (D.06)
Length overall 323’0â€, beam 32’3â€, 1360 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†QF Mk IX on CP Mk XIV mounts (30-degree elevation), 2 x 1 2-pdr AA, 2 x 4 21†TT, one rack and two throwers for 25 dc
1940-06-01 off Dunkirk sunk by aircraft bombs
C class (Crusader class) 1929 program: Note: For political reasons, this class was limited to four destroyers plus a leader. This produced a group of five ships that did not fit into any standard role within the RN, so they were transferred to Canada in 1937/1938. Note: This class had a unique bridge design with the compass platform/wheelhouse separated from the chartroom/director tower by an open gap.
Length overall: 329’ 0â€, beam 33’ 0â€, 1375 tons s.d. (Note: larger than previous destroyers to obtain greater range and allow mounting 3†AA gun)
4 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XIV (30 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 1 x 1 3†Q.F. H.A. II on H.A. III mounting between funnels (probably the worst possible place for an anti-aircraft gun), 2 x 1 2-pdr pom-pom at the aft end of the fo’c’sle, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes Q.R. III, fitted for two-speed destroyer sweep (TSDS, mine sweeping gear), six depth charges; For all ships, the 3†AA gun was removed in 1936 and the 2-pdrs moved back to the same frame. This actually was an improvement because the 3†would have been ineffective and moving the 2-pdrs gave them better coverage.
Crusader (H.60): became Ottawa in Canadian service; 1940 modified for escort service – 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, 2 x 5 0.5†mg replaced 2 x 1 2-pdr, AW/RDF added, 3†AA replaced aft bank of TT, aft funnel reduced in height, ‘Y’ gun mount replaced with additional depth charges; sunk 1942-09-14 by submarine torpedo in NW Atlantic
Comet (H.00): became Restigouche in Canadian service; 1940 modified for escort service – 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, 2 x 5 0.5†mg replaced 2 x 1 2-pdr, AW/RDF added, 3†AA (some sources say 4â€) replaced aft bank of TT, aft funnel reduced in height, ‘Y’ gun mount replaced with additional depth charge racks and dc throwers; 1942 – ‘B’ gun mount replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, additional 2 x 1 20 mm added, 3†(or 4â€) AA gun removed in favor of additional depth charge throwers; survived to end of war
Crescent (H.48): became Fraser in Canadian service; 1940 modified for escort service – 2 x 5 0.5†mg replaced 2 x 1 2-pdr, 3†AA replaced aft bank of TT; sank 1940-06-20 due to collision with cruiser Calcutta
Cygnet (H.83): became St. Laurent in Canadian service; 1940 modified for escort service – 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, 2 x 5 0.5†mg replaced 2 x 1 2-pdr, AW/RDF added, 3†AA replaced aft bank of TT, aft funnel reduced in height, ‘Y’ gun mount replaced with additional depth charges; survived to end of war
C class leader – Kempenfelt (D.18): through 1939 size, armament, and appearance same as C class destroyers except 1390 ton s.d. and carried additional boat; temporarily had prototype 5.1†gun in ‘B’ mount, but this gun design was not adapted by the RN and the gun was made 4.7†to match others; became Assiniboine (I.18) in Canadian service; 1940 converted for escort work – aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun, aft funnel reduced in height, 2 x 4 0.5†mg replaced 2 x 1 2-pdr; later (1941?) ‘Y’ mount gun replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; (1942?) 3†AA moved to ‘X’ position and additional depth charges added; (1943?) split hedgehog added by ‘A’ mount, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, additional 2 x 1 20 fitted, AW RDF fitted, and SW RDF replaced DCT & RF; survived to end of war
D class (Defender class) 1930 program: repeat of C class design except bridge not split, most received 2 x 4 0.5†mg in place of 2 x 1 2-pdr from the start, and more depth charges in place of TSDS:
Length overall: 329’ 0â€, beam 33’ 0â€, 1375 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XIV (30 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 1 x 1 3†Q.F. H.A. II on H.A. III mounting between funnels (probably the worst possible place for an anti-aircraft gun), 2 x 4 0.5†mg at the aft end of the fo’c’sle, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes Q.R. III, 1 depth charge rack and 2 dc throwers with 20 dc. For all ships, the 3†AA gun was removed in 1936 and the 2 x 4 0.5†mg moved back to the same frame.
Dainty (H.53): 1940 modified for escort duty (AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun and aft funnel shortened); sunk by aircraft bombs in Tobruk harbor 1941-02-24
Daring (H.16): sunk by submarine torpedo in Home Waters 1940-02-18, probably before any significant wartime modifications
Decoy (H.75): 1940 modified for escort duty (AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun and aft funnel shortened); 1943 to Canada as Kootenay; ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 2-pdrs replaced by 20 mm, ‘Y’ gun mount removed for additional depth charges.
Defender (H.07): 1940 modified for escort duty (AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun and aft funnel shortened); sunk by aircraft bombs in Mediterranean 1941-07-11
Delight (H.38): uncertain which modifications (if any) had been made; sunk by aircraft bombs in English Channel 1940-07-24
Diamond (H.22): 1940 modified for escort duty (AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun and aft funnel shortened); sunk by aircraft bombs in Mediterranean 1941-04-27
Diana (H.49): 1940 modified for escort duty (AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun and aft funnel shortened); transferred to Canada as Margaree; sunk by collision with merchant vessel in North Atlantic 1940-10-22
Duchess (H.64): sunk by collision with HMS Barham 1939-12-12
D class leader – Duncan (D.99): through 1939 size, armament, and appearance same as D class destroyers except 1390 ton s.d.; 1940 modified for escort duty (AW/RDF added, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5†mg, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun and aft funnel shortened); later, ‘A’ gun mount replaced by hedgehog, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 2 x 4 .50†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, additional 2 x 1 20 mm added, 3†AA gun and ‘Y’ gun mount replaced with additional depth charge throwers and dc storage; survived to end of war
E class (Eclipse class) 1931 program:
Length overall: 329’ 0â€, beam 33’ 3â€, 1405 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
Echo (H.23): standard modifications; survived to end of war
Eclipse (H.08): standard modifications; damaged by bomb 1940-04 & temporarily abandoned but towed to port and repaired; sunk by mine in Eastern Mediterranean 1943-10-24
Escapade (H.17): standard modifications; converted to escort in 1943 (hedgehog replaced ‘A’ gun, 4 depth charge throwers replaced 3†gun and ‘Y’ mount), in 1945 double squid replaced hedgehog; survived to end of war
Escort (H.66): standard modifications may have been made before loss, but uncertain; sunk by submarine torpedo 1940-07-11 in Western Mediterranean
Electra (H.27): standard modifications; sunk by Japanese gunfire and torpedoes 1942-02
Encounter (H.10): standard modifications; sunk by Japanese gunfire and torpedoes 1942-03
Esk (H.15): completed as minelayer (when carrying mines, no guns in ‘A’ and ‘Y’ locations, no torpedoes, up to 60 Mk. XIVA mines); sunk 1940-08-31 by mine
Express (H.61): completed as minelayer (as Esk); severely damaged by mine 1940-08-31, under repair for > 12 months; emerged with 4.7†gun in ‘A’ position, 2 x 6 pdr (57 mm) plus hedgehog in ‘B’ position, 3†AA in aft torpedo tube location, 4.7†gun in ‘X’ position, and depth charge throwers & racks in place of mine laying gear; transferred to Canada as RCN Gatineau.
“standard modifications†(performed mid- to late-1940, depending on when ship happened to be in port for maintenance or repair) = 12 pdr (3â€) antiaircraft gun replaced aft bank of torpedo tubes, aft funnel shortened and mainmast removed, 2 x 1 20 mm Oerlikon automatic cannon replaced quadruple 0.5†machine guns, additional 2 x 1 20 mm added in most cases, and aircraft warning radar added. Strangely, I can not find any ships in this class that retained ‘A,’ ‘B,’ and ‘X’ gun mounts but landed the ‘Y’ mount in favor of additional anti-submarine weapons (as in GHQ’s UKN39, E class) Update: I have found a picture of Express from 1942 (in the Wikipedia article) in which she appears to have 4.7†gun mounts in ‘A,’ ‘B,’ and ‘X’ positions (but not in ‘Y’ position). However, this may not match the appearance of UKN39 because it also seems to show two banks of torpedoes. The resolution of the picture is not adequate for me to be sure.
E class leader – Exmouth
Length overall: 343’ 0â€, beam 33’ 9â€, 1495 tons s.d.
5 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft plus one between funnels, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns at wings of signal bridge, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
Probably no modifications before being sunk 1940-01-21 by submarine torpedo in home waters
F class (Fearless class) 1932 program: Repeat E class
Length overall: 329’ 0â€, beam 33’ 3â€, 1405 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4,7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
Fame (H.78): standard modifications; in 1941 radar replaced director control tower (DCT) & rangefinder (RF), hedgehog replaced ‘A’ mount, and ‘Y’ mount replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; in 1943 ‘A’ mount restored, initial hedgehog replaced by split hedgehog, and 3†AA replaced by additional 20 mm (total of 6 x 1 at this time); survived to end of war
Fearless (H.67): standard modifications; in 1941 ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; sunk by aircraft torpedo in Mediterranean 1941-07
Firedrake (H.79): standard modifications; ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; severely damaged by aircraft bombs in Mediterranean 1941-07; repaired in US; sunk by submarine torpedo in North Atlantic 1942-12
Forester (H.74): standard modifications; in 1941 ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; in 1943 split hedgehog added forward and short-wave radio direction finder (SWRDF) replaced DCT & RF; survived to end of war
Foresight (H.68): standard modifications; sunk by aircraft torpedo in Mediterranean 1942-08
Fortune (H.70): standard modifications; in 1941 ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; in 1943 split hedgehog added forward and short-wave radio direction finder (SWRDF) replaced DCT & RF; transferred to Canada 1943-06;survived to end of war
Foxhound (H.69): standard modifications; in 1941 ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional depth charge racks & throwers; in 1943 split hedgehog added forward and short-wave radio direction finder (SWRDF) replaced DCT & RF; transferred to Canada 1943-06; survived to end of war
Fury (H.76): standard modifications; damaged by mine off Normandy 1944-06, grounded and constructive total loss
“standard modifications†essentially the same as for E class, except that F class tended to retain quad mount 0.5†machine guns longer. It seems that GHQ’s UKN39 is a better match to ~ 1941 F class than it is to E class.
F class leader – Faulknor – initially same as Exmouth
Length overall: 343’ 0â€, beam 33’ 9â€, 1495 tons s.d.
5 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft plus one between funnels, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
1941-01, 3†AA replaced aft bank of TT; 1942-01, high-angle radio-direction (HA/RD) replaced DCT & RF and aft funnel reduced in height; 1943-01, 3†AA moved to ‘X’ position (some say now 4†AA), aft bank of TT reinstalled, 4 x 1 20 mm added (one pair replacing 0.5â€, other pair on after deck house); 1945-01, ‘Q’ mount 4.7†replaced by quad 2 pdr pom-pom and 2 x 2 20 mm added; survived to end of war
G class (Greyhound class) 1933 program
Length overall: 323’ 0â€, beam 33’ 3â€, 1350 tons s.d. Note that the G class is smaller than the preceding classes. This was due to an improvement in power plant design. In most countries, this would have been used to improve the performance (power, range, habitability, and/or space for weapons). The British government decided to reduce the size of the ships as an economy measure. Of course, the cost of re-designing the hull more than offset any savings in materials and there was less room for weapons when the war came around.
4 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI) (except Glowworm, described below), one rack and two dc throwers, 20 depth charges, TSDS
Gallant (H.59): standard modifications; 1941-01-10 mined in Mediterranean, beached at Malta and expended as blockship
Garland (H.37): standard modifications; 1940 transferred to Polish Navy under same name; 1941 ‘Y’ gun landed for additional dc throwers & storage, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, additional 2 x 1 20 added to bridge wings; 1942 ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog, additional 2 x 1 20 mm added to searchlight platform.
Gipsy (H.63): 1939-11-21 sunk by mine in home waters
Glowworm (H.92): built with 2 x 5 21†TT P.R. Mk. I; 1940-04-07 sunk by naval gunfire (German destroyers and cruiser Admiral Hipper)
Grafton (H.89): 1940-05-29 severely damaged by submarine torpedo off Dunkirk, abandoned and sunk
Grenade (H.86) 1940-05-29 sunk by aircraft bombs off Dunkirk
Greyhound (H.31): standard modifications; 1941 ‘Y’ gun removed for additional dc throwers and storage, 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, additional 2 x 1 20 mm in bridge wings; 1943 ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 3†AA removed for additional dc storage, additional 2 x 1 20 mm on searchlight platform, transferred to Canada as Ottawa (ii)
“standard modifications†(performed mid- to late-1940, depending on when ship happened to be in port for maintenance or repair) = 12 pdr (3â€) antiaircraft gun replaced aft bank of torpedo tubes, aft funnel shortened and mainmast removed, and aircraft warning radar added.
G class leader – Grenville (H.03): similar to Faulknor except for length
Length overall: 330’ 0â€, beam 34’ 6â€, 1465 tons s.d.
5 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft plus one between funnels, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
1940-01-19 sunk by mine in North Sea
H class (Hero class) 1934 program
Length overall: 323’ 0â€, beam 33’ 0â€, 1340 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting (except Hereward as described below), superimposed fore and aft, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
Hasty (H.24): standard modifications; 1940 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, additional 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1942-06-15 sunk by MTB torpedo in eastern Mediterranean
Havock (H.43):standard modifications; 1940 2 x 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, 2 x 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1942-04 damaged by air attack, grounded beyond recovery on French coast en-route from Malta to Gibralter
Hereward (H.93): completed with twin 4.7†C.P. mounting Mk. XVIII in ‘B’ position (some written accounts imply that this was in addition to a single mount in ‘A’ position, but the only photograph I have found clearly show nothing in the ‘A’ position), revised bridge to provide helmsman line of sight above the mount, and higher funnels (possibly to keep exhaust from the bridge?); 1937 twin mount removed from ‘B’ position and single 4.7†mounts placed in ‘A’ and ‘B’ positions; standard modifications; 1940 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1941-05-29 sunk by aircraft torpedo off Crete
Hero (H.99): completed with same bridge as Hereward, but not twin gun mount; standard modifications; 1940 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1943 ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6-pdr, DCT and RF replaced by SW RDF, ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc throwers and storage, transferred to Canada as Chaudiere; survived to end of war
Hostile (H.55): 1940 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€; 1940-08-23 sunk by mine
Hotspur (H.01): standard modifications; 1940 2 x 1 20 mm replaced 2 x 4 0.5â€, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1943 ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT & RF replaced by SW RDF, 3†AA gun removed for additional dc storage and 2 x 1 20 mm added; survived to end of war
Hunter (H.35): 1940-04-10 sunk by naval gunfire and collision at Narvik
Hyperion (H.97): standard modifications; 1940 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm; 1940-12-22 sunk by submarine torpedo in Mediterranean
“standard modifications†(performed mid- to late-1940, depending on when ship happened to be in port for maintenance or repair) = 12 pdr (3â€) antiaircraft gun replaced aft bank of torpedo tubes, aft funnel shortened and mainmast removed, and aircraft warning radar added.
H class leader – Hardy (H.87): Similar to Grenville except for tripod foremast
Length overall: 330’ 0â€, beam 34’ 0â€, 1455 tons s.d.
5 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft plus one between funnels, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI)
1940-04-10 severely damaged by naval gunfire of German destroyers at Narvik, beached, abandoned, and capsized
Ex-Brazilian Juruena class – built in British yards for Brazil but taken over (purchased) by UK; essentially repeats of the H class except lower funnels and armament as described below
Length overall: 323’ 0â€, beam 33’ 0â€, 1340 tons s.d.
3 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVII (40 degree) mounting (‘A’ ‘B’ and ‘X’ mountings; ‘Y’ position used for additional anti-submarine weapons), superimposed fore and aft, combined DCT and RF [except Havant, Hesperus, Havelock, and Highlander as described below], 2 x 1 20 mm automatic cannon, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI) [except Havant, Hesperus, Havelock, and Highlander as described below], 2 racks & 4 projectors for 110 depth charges
Harvester (H.19) [intended to be Brazilian Jurua, initially named Handy in British service but changed 1940-02-27 to avoid confusion with Hardy): entered service with rudimentary rangefinder instead of combined DCT/RF and with no torpedo tubes; when available, combined DCT/RF fitted, forward bank of TT installed, 3†AA gun in place of aft TTs, AW/RDF fitted, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1943-03-11 sunk by submarine torpedo in North Atlantic
Havant (H.32) [intended to be Brazilian Javary]: entered service with rudimentary rangefinder instead of combined DCT/RF and with no torpedo tubes; received both banks of TT; 1940-06-01 severely damaged by aircraft bombs off Dunkirk, abandoned and intentionally sunk
Havelock (H.88) [intended to be Brazilian Jutahy]: entered service with rudimentary rangefinder instead of combined DCT/RF and with no torpedo tubes; when available, combined DCT/RF fitted, forward bank of TT installed, 3†AA gun in place of aft TTs, AW/RDF fitted, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; later ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT/RF replaced by SW/RDF, 3†AA gun removed for additional dc storage; survived to end of war
Hesperus (H.57) [intended to be Brazilian Juruena, initially named Hearty in British service but changed 1940-02-27 to avoid confusion with Hardy, informally referred to as ‘Heinz’ because of pennant number): entered service with rudimentary rangefinder instead of combined DCT/RF and with no torpedo tubes; when available, combined DCT/RF fitted, forward bank of TT installed, 3†AA gun in place of aft TTs, AW/RDF fitted, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; later ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT/RF replaced by SW/RDF, 3†AA gun removed for additional dc storage; survived to end of war
Highlander (H.44) [intended to be Brazilian Jaguaribe]: entered service with rudimentary rangefinder instead of combined DCT/RF and with no torpedo tubes; when available, combined DCT/RF fitted, forward bank of TT installed, 3†AA gun in place of aft TTs, AW/RDF fitted, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; later ‘A’ gun replaced by hedgehog, DCT/RF replaced by SW/RDF, 3†AA gun removed for additional dc storage; survived to end of war
Hurricane (H.06) [intended to be Brazilian Japarua]: early 1940 AW/RDF fitted, aft bank of TT replaced by 3†AA gun, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings; 1941-01-07 bombed and sunk in Liverpool, raised and returned to service in 1943-01; 1943-12-24 sunk off Azores by submarine torpedo
I class (Intrepid class) 1935 program
Length overall: 323’ 0â€, beam 33’ 0â€, 1370 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†Q.F. Mk. IX on C.P. XVIII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 5 21†torpedo tubes (P.R. Mk. I), 2 racks & 2 projectors for 16 dc, TSDS, all capable of carrying mines (Note: All of the destroyers had the angled bridge introduced by Hereward. There was no raised casing over the engine room – this was to counteract the extra weight of the fifth tube in each torpedo mount)
Icarus (D.03): early in war served as minelayer (no 4.7†guns in ‘A’ or ‘Y’ position, no TT, up to 60 mines carried), then as destroyer (‘A’ and ‘Y’ guns restored, forward bank of TT restored but with center tube empty, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, AW/RDF and HF/DF fitted, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, aft funnel reduced in height, 3†AA gun in place of after TT, by 1944 hedgehog replaced ‘A’ gun, ‘Y’ gun and 3†AA landed, 2 x 1 20 mm added, now 2 racks and 6 projectors for 110 mines; survived to end of war
Ilex (D.61): early modifications – 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height, aft TT mount replaced by 3†AA gun; 1941-06 in Mediterranean severely damaged by aircraft bombs, under repair in US until 1943-02 with AW RDF added, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, center tube of remaining TT mount removed to reduce topweight; by 1944 ‘Y’ gun landed, 3†gun landed, 2 x 1 20 mm added, now 2 racks and 6 projectors for 110 dc; survived to end of war
Imogen (D.44): 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height, aft TT mount replaced by 3†AA gun; 1940-07-06 off Scottish coast collided with cruiser Glasgow, caught fire and abandoned
Imperial (D.09): 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height, aft TT mount replaced by 3†AA gun; 1940-10-11 in Mediterranean severely damaged by mine, six under repair; 1941-05-29 severely damaged by aircraft bomb near miss, abandoned and intentionally sunk
Impulsive (D.11): early in war served as minelayer (no 4.7†guns in ‘A’ or ‘Y’ position, no TT, up to 60 mines carried), then as destroyer (‘A’ and ‘Y’ guns restored, forward bank of TT restored but with center tube empty, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, AW/RDF and HF/DF fitted, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, aft funnel reduced in height, 3†AA gun in place of after TT, by 1944 ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6 pdr, ‘Y’ gun and 3†AA landed, 2 x 1 20 mm added, now 2 racks and 6 projectors for 110 mines; survived to end of war
Intrepid (D.10): early in war served as minelayer (no 4.7†guns in ‘A’ or ‘Y’ position, no TT, up to 60 mines carried), then as destroyer (‘A’ and ‘Y’ guns restored, forward bank of TT restored but with center tube empty, 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, AW/RDF and HF/DF fitted, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, aft funnel reduced in height, 3†AA gun in place of after TT; later ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog and 2 x 1 6 pdr, ‘Y’ gun and 3†AA landed, 2 x 1 20 mm added, now 2 racks and 6 projectors for 110 mines; 1943-07-27 in Mediterranean sunk by aircraft bombs
Isis (D.87): early modifications – 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, aft funnel reduced in height, aft TT mount replaced by 3†AA gun; 1941-06 in Mediterranean severely damaged by aircraft bombs, sent to Singapore for repairs; at time of Japanese invasion towed to Java, Colombo, and finally Bombay for completion of repairs; AW RDF added, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, center tube of remaining TT mount removed to reduce topweight; later ‘B’ gun replaced by hedgehog, ‘Y’ gun and 3†AA landed, 2 x 1 20 mm added, now 2 racks and 6 projectors for 110 mines; 1944-07-20 off Normandy sunk by miniature submarine torpedo
Ivanhoe (D.16): early in war served as minelayer (no 4.7†guns in ‘A’ or ‘Y’ position, no TT, up to 60 mines carried); in this configuration 1940-09-01 in North Sea severely damaged by mine, subsequently additional damage by aircraft bombs, finally abandoned and intentionally sunk
I class leader – Inglefield (D.02): Similar to Hardy except for pentad torpedo tube mounts. Note: Inglefield had the older style bridge, different from all the destroyers of I class.
Length overall: 337’ 0â€, beam 34’ 0â€, 1544 tons s.d.
5 x 1 4.7†Mk. IX on C.P. XVIII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft plus one between funnels, 2 x 4 0.5†machine guns, 2 x 5 21†torpedo tubes (P.R. Mk. I)
early modifications – aft funnel reduced in height, aft TT mount replaced by 3†AA gun, 2 x 1 20 mm added to aft deck house; 1942 AW RDF added, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, 3†AA moved to ‘X’ position and aft bank of TT restored (but with center tube removed from both banks); 1944-02-25 off Anzio sunk by guided bomb
Ex-Turkish Demirhisar class – built in British yards for Turkey but two taken over (purchased) by UK; essentially repeats of the I class except as described below (Considering the desperate need for ships of this type and Turkish antipathy towards British interests, it is surprising that the other two were delivered to the intended customer. The British ships did not enter service until well after the start of the war.)
Length overall: 323’ 0â€, beam 33’ 0â€, 1370 tons s.d.
4 x 1 4.7†Q.F. Mk. IX on C.P. XVIII (40 degree) mounting, superimposed fore and aft, 2 x 4 0.5†mg, 2 x 4 21†torpedo tubes (Q.R. Mk. VI), 2 racks & 2 projectors for 16 dc
Inconstant (H.49) [ex-Turkish Mauavenet]: 1942 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, aft bank of TT replaced by 1 x 1 3†AA gun; 1943 converted for escort duty, AW/RDF fitted, DCT/RF replaced by SW/RDF, 2 x 1 20 mm added on searchlight platform, 3†AA gun and ‘Y’ gun replaced by additional dc projectors and dc storage; survived to end of war at which time she was refurbished and retroceded to Turkey as Mauavenet
Ithuriel (H.05) [ex-Turkish Gayret]: 1942 2 x 1 20 mm added to bridge wings, 2 x 4 0.5†replaced by 2 x 1 20 mm, aft bank of TT replaced by 1 x 1 3†AA gun;1942-11-28 in Mediterranean constructive total loss due to aircraft bombs, guns landed for coastal defense and hull scrapped post-war
Don S.
Last edited by Donald M. Scheef on Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:50 pm, edited 6 times in total.
-
ww2navyguy
- E5
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:21 am
- Location: Sunny Florida
-
ww2navyguy
- E5
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:21 am
- Location: Sunny Florida
Wow! This statement really surprised me. So from what you have seen so far on the E class destroyer, none of the ships in that class would have had the configuration that matched the UKN39 GHQ E class model?Donald M. Scheef wrote:Appearance of between-wars destroyers
...Strangely, I can not find any ships in this class that retained ‘A,’ ‘B,’ and ‘X’ gun mounts but landed the ‘Y’ mount in favor of additional anti-submarine weapons (as in GHQ’s UKN39, E class).
I'm pretty shocked by this.
-
DarrylH
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2004 8:33 am
- Location: Las Vegas, NV
Starting with the 'H' class, British destroyers adopted a new, more streamlined bridge, so an H wouldn't really work for any previous class. An E should work for earlier ships, however.ww2navyguy wrote:Don,
Great info on the E class! Thanks!
By the way, would the E class model work for the C and D class destroyer? What about the H class model for the C and D class?
Thanks again, and look forward to your next post.
-
ww2navyguy
- E5
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:21 am
- Location: Sunny Florida
Does this go for the G class DDs too?DarrylH wrote:Starting with the 'H' class, British destroyers adopted a new, more streamlined bridge, so an H wouldn't really work for any previous class. An E should work for earlier ships, however.ww2navyguy wrote:Don,
Great info on the E class! Thanks!
By the way, would the E class model work for the C and D class destroyer? What about the H class model for the C and D class?
Thanks again, and look forward to your next post.
Also, the E class model by GHQ only has three 4.7 inch main guns, whereas the H class GHQ model has all four 4.7 inch main guns. So, although the bridge may have been unaltered for the E class model, the primary weapons systems may not be correct on the E class model for British C, D, E, F, and G class ships?
-
Donald M. Scheef
- E5
- Posts: 1629
- Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:24 am
- Location: Waukegan, Illinois USA
Not all the 'H' class destroyers had the new bridge design; only Hero and Hereward. Subsequently, the 'I' class through late-war 'Battle' class carried this type bridge. GHQ does not yet have a model that will cover Hero, Hereward, and 'I' class.
The remainder of the 'H' class had the same type bridge found on D through G classes. GHQ's UKN5 has this bridge, so that it could be used for the earlier classes (pre-war and early-war appearance) but not for the later ships.
UKN39 can be used for many, but not all, of the same ships as they appeared after initial early-war modifications.
For later-war appearance; there were so many variations between individual ships that, unless and until GHQ produces many more different models, customer modification is necessary.
Don S.
The remainder of the 'H' class had the same type bridge found on D through G classes. GHQ's UKN5 has this bridge, so that it could be used for the earlier classes (pre-war and early-war appearance) but not for the later ships.
UKN39 can be used for many, but not all, of the same ships as they appeared after initial early-war modifications.
For later-war appearance; there were so many variations between individual ships that, unless and until GHQ produces many more different models, customer modification is necessary.
Don S.
-
Donald M. Scheef
- E5
- Posts: 1629
- Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:24 am
- Location: Waukegan, Illinois USA
I have completed the list and description of UK between-the-wars destroyers. There were numerous inconsistencies between the several sources I consulted, especially with wartime modifications, so I recommend you take my descriptions with a grain of salt. If anyone has disagreements/corrections, please post them or send me a pm.
I'm kind of burned out right now, but next weekend I will try to make up a cross-reference between avialable 1/2400 scale figures available and the various appearances of these ships.
At the moment I have no intention of expanding this to other countries, to UK destroyers completed during WWI, or to Battle & later destroyer classes. Perhaps someday.
Don S.
I'm kind of burned out right now, but next weekend I will try to make up a cross-reference between avialable 1/2400 scale figures available and the various appearances of these ships.
At the moment I have no intention of expanding this to other countries, to UK destroyers completed during WWI, or to Battle & later destroyer classes. Perhaps someday.
Don S.
-
ww2navyguy
- E5
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:21 am
- Location: Sunny Florida