Town-class destroyer

Summary

The Town-class destroyers were a group of 50 destroyers of the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy that were in service during the Second World War. They were transferred from the United States Navy in exchange for military bases in the British West Indies and Newfoundland, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between the United Kingdom and United States, signed on 2 September 1940. They were known as "four-pipers" or "four-stackers" because they had four smokestacks (funnels). Later classes of destroyers typically had one or two.

HMS Leamington
Class overview
NameTown class
BuildersVarious
Operators
Built1917–20
In commission1940–47 (RN)
Completed50
Lost10
Retired40 scrapped
Preserved0
General characteristics
TypeDestroyer: USN Caldwell, Wickes and Clemson classes
Displacement1,020 to 1,190 tons[1]
Length314 ft 4.5 in (95.8 m)
Beam30 ft 11.25 in (9.4 m)
Draught9 ft 0 in (2.7 m)
Propulsion
  • 4 × 300 psi (2,100 kPa) unsuperheated Boilers[2]
  • 2 geared turbines[2]
Speed30–35 knots (56–65 km/h; 35–40 mph)[2]
Complement146
Armament

Some went to the Royal Canadian Navy at the outset. Others went on to the Royal Norwegian Navy, the Royal Netherlands Navy, and the Soviet Navy after serving with the Royal Navy. Although given a set of names by the Commonwealth navies that suggested they were one class they actually came from three classes of destroyer: Caldwell, Wickes, and Clemson. "Town class" refers to the Admiralty's practice of renaming these ships after towns common to the United States and the British Commonwealth.[3] Ships initially commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy, however, followed the Canadian practice of giving destroyers the names of Canadian rivers. The rivers selected for the Town class were on the border between Canada and the United States, with the exception of Annapolis — the name of both a river in Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, and the location of the United States Naval Academy.[4]

One of the Town-class ships achieved lasting fame: HMS Campbeltown (ex-USS Buchanan). In the Commando raid Operation Chariot, Campbeltown, fitted with a large demolition charge, rammed the gates of the Normandie dock at Saint-Nazaire, France. The charge detonated on 29 March 1942, breaching the drydock and destroying Campbeltown, thus destroying the only drydock on the Atlantic coast capable of accepting the Tirpitz. This exploit was depicted in the 1950 Trevor Howard film The Gift Horse, which starred HMS Leamington (ex-USS Twiggs) after her return from service in the Soviet Union.

Characteristics edit

Built for service during the First World War, but in the main completed after the end of that conflict, the flush-deckers were, by 1940, the oldest destroyers in the US Navy, and many had been mothballed for the inter-war period. While contemporaneous to the British V and W-class destroyers they were not much liked by their crews. While the V and W classes set a new standard for destroyer design, the flush-deckers were already obsolescent by comparison.[5] They were uncomfortable and wet, working badly in a seaway. Their hull lines were rather narrow and 'herring-gutted' which gave them a vicious roll. The officers didn't like the way they handled either, since they had been built with propellers that turned the same way (2-screw ships normally have the shafts turning in opposite directions as the direction of rotation has effects on the rudder and the whole ship when manoeuvring, especially when coming alongside), so these were as awkward to handle as single-screw ships. Their turning circle was enormous, as big as most Royal Navy battleships, making them difficult to use in a submarine hunt which demanded tight manoeuvres, compounded by unreliable "chain and cog" steering gear laid across the main deck. They also had fully enclosed bridges which caused problems with reflections in the glass at night. One Royal Canadian Navy corvette captain described them as "the most dubious gift since the Trojan Horse".[6] However, despite their disadvantages they were a welcome addition to forces escorting convoys in the Atlantic at a time when the U-boats, operating from newly acquired bases on the Atlantic coast of France were becoming an increasingly serious threat to British shipping. They were also seen as an earnest of the United States’ commitment to support Britain against Nazism.[7]

The original armament was four 4-inch (102 mm) guns,[8] one 3-inch (76 mm) anti-aircraft gun, and twelve torpedo tubes.[9] On the Wickes-class, the 4-inch gun placement was one gun in a shield on the forecastle, one on the quarterdeck and one each side on a platform between the number 2 and number 3 funnels. The Admiralty promptly removed one of the 4-inch guns and six torpedo tubes to improve stability.[10] Twenty-three of the class had further armament reductions for anti-submarine escort of trade convoys.[11] Two of the remaining 4-inch guns and three of the remaining torpedo tubes were removed to allow increased depth charge stowage and installation of Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar system.[11]

Ships in class by origin edit

The ships were divided by the Royal Navy into four groups based on their characteristics.[12]

  • Type A corresponded to the 20 ships of the Clemson class, having a standard displacement of 1,190 tons powered by geared turbines that produced a maximum speed of 28.5 knots. They were armed with four single 4-inch guns and one 3-inch anti-aircraft gun, with triple 21-inch torpedo tubes. Overall length was 314 ft 4 in, beam 31 ft 8 in and draught 12 ft 10 in.
  • Type B were the 12 ships of the Wickes class built to plans prepared by the Bath Iron Works. These were lighter than the type A ships, with a displacement of 1090 tons but they had the same armament and machinery with a slightly better speed of 28.75 kt.
  • Type C were the 15 ships of the Wickes class built to plans prepared by Bethlehem Steel, with a displacement of 1,060 tons and an improved speed of 29.75 kt.
  • Type D were the 3 ships of the Caldwell class, smaller again at 1020 tons, with a gun armament of four single 3-inch guns and built with direct drive turbines, but having a speed of 30 kt. The type D vessels were recognizable also in having only three funnels.
Town-class ship characteristics by Type[12]
Characteristic Type A Type B Type C Type D
Standard disp., long tons (t) 1,190 1,090 1,060 1,020
Full load disp., long tons (t) 1,725 1,530 1,530 1,445
Length (oa) 314 ft 4 in (95.81 m) 314 ft 4 in (95.81 m) 314 ft 4 in (95.81 m) 315 ft 6 in (96.16 m)
Beam 31' 8" 31' 0" 31' 8" 31' 2"
Draught 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m) 11 ft 11 in (3.63 m) 11 ft 11 in (3.63 m) 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m)
Machinery geared turbines geared turbines geared turbines direct drive turbines
Boilers 4 4 4 4
Shafts 2 2 2 3
Speed, knots (kt) 28.5 28.75 29.75 30
Main armament 4× 4-inch guns in single mounts 4×1 3/50 gun
Anti-aircraft guns 1× 3-inch gun. 1×1 3/23
Torpedo tubes 4×3 21-in. 4×3 21-in. 4×3 21-in. 4×3 21-in.
Town-class destroyers assigned to the Royal Canadian Navy[12]
Name Type ex- USN Class Builder Completed Transferred
Annapolis C USS MacKenzie Wickes Union Iron Works 25 July 1919 29 September 1940
Columbia C USS Haraden Wickes Seattle Dry Dock Co. 6 June 1919 24 September 1940
Niagara C USS Thatcher Wickes Bethlehem Steel
Fore River
14 January 1919 26 September 1940
St. Clair C USS Williams Wickes Union Iron Works 1 March 1919 29 September 1940
St. Croix A USS McCook Clemson Bethlehem Steel
Quincy
30 April 1919 24 September 1940
St. Francis A USS Bancroft Clemson Bethlehem Steel
Quincy
30 June 1919 24 September 1940
Town-class destroyers assigned to the Royal Navy[12]
Name Type ex- USN Class Builder Completed Transferred
Bath C USS Hopewell Wickes Newport News SB Co. 21 March 1919 23 September 1940
Belmont A USS Satterlee Clemson Newport News SB Co. 22 December 1919 8 October 1940
Beverley A USS Branch Clemson Newport News SB Co. 3 April 1920 8 October 1940
Bradford A USS McLanahan Clemson Bethlehem Steel
Squantum
5 September 1919 8 October 1940
Brighton C USS Cowell Wickes Bethlehem Steel
Fore River
17 March 1919 23 September 1940
Broadwater A USS Mason Clemson Newport News SB Co. 28 February 1920 2 October 1940
Broadway A USS Hunt Clemson Newport News SB Co. 8 June 1920 8 October 1940
Burnham A USS Aulick Clemson Bethlehem Steel
Quincy
26 July 1919 8 October 1940
Burwell A USS Laub Clemson Bethlehem Steel
Squantum
17 March 1919 8 October 1940
Buxton A USS Edwards Clemson Bethlehem Steel
Squantum
24 April 1919 8 October 1940
Caldwell B USS Hale Wickes Bath Iron Works 12 June 1919 9 September 1940
Cameron A USS Welles Clemson Bethlehem Steel
Quincy
2 September 1919 9 September 1940
Campbeltown B USS Buchanan Wickes Bath Iron Works 20 January 1919 9 September 1940
Castleton B USS Aaron Ward Wickes Bath Iron Works 21 April 1919 9 September 1940
Charlestown C USS Abbot Wickes Newport News SB Co. 18 July 1919 23 September 1940
Chelsea B USS Crowninshield Wickes Bath Iron Works 6 August 1919 9 September 1940
Chesterfield A USS Welborn C. Wood Clemson Newport News SB Co. 25 June 1920 9 September 1940
Churchill A USS Herndon Clemson Newport News SB Co. 17 April 1920 9 September 1940
Clare A USS Abel P. Upshur Clemson Newport News SB Co. 21 May 1920 9 September 1940
Georgetown C USS Maddox Wickes Bethlehem Steel
Fore River
10 March 1919 23 September 1940
Hamilton C USS Kalk Wickes Bethlehem Steel
Fore River
29 March 1919 23 September 1940
Lancaster B USS Philip Wickes Bath Iron Works 25 August 1919 23 October 1940
Leamington B USS Twiggs Wickes New York SB Co. 28 July 1919 23 October 1940
Leeds D USS Conner Caldwell Cramp 12 January 1918 23 October 1940
Lewes D USS Conway Caldwell Norfolk Navy Yard 19 October 1918 23 October 1940
Lincoln B USS Yarnall Wickes Cramp 29 November 1918 23 October 1940
Ludlow D USS Stockton Caldwell Cramp 26 November 1917 23 October 1940
Mansfield B USS Evans Wickes Bath Iron Works 11 November 1918 23 October 1940
Montgomery B USS Wickes Wickes Bath Iron Works 31 July 1918 25 October 1940
Newark C USS Ringgold Wickes Union Iron Works 14 November 1918 5 December 1940
Newmarket C USS Robinson Wickes Union Iron Works 19 October 1918 5 December 1940
Newport C USS Sigourney Wickes Bethlehem Steel
Fore River
14 May 1918 5 December 1940
Ramsey A USS Meade Clemson Bethlehem Steel
Squantum
8 September 1919 26 November 1940
Reading A USS Bailey Clemson Bethlehem Steel
Squantum
27 June 1919 26 November 1940
Richmond B USS Fairfax Wickes Mare Island Navy Yard 6 April 1918 26 November 1940
Ripley A USS Shubrick Clemson Bethlehem Steel
Squantum
2 July 1919 26 November 1940
Rockingham A USS Swasey Clemson Bethlehem Steel
Squantum
31 July 1919 26 November 1940
Roxborough C USS Foote Wickes Bethlehem Steel
Fore River
21 March 1919 23 September 1940
Salisbury B USS Claxton Wickes Mare Island Navy Yard 13 September 1919 5 December 1940
St Albans C USS Thomas Wickes Newport News SB Co. 25 April 1919 23 September 1940
St. Mary's C USS Doran Wickes Newport News SB Co. 26 August 1919 23 September 1940
Sherwood A USS Rodgers Clemson Bethlehem Steel
Quincy
22 July 1919 23 October 1940
Stanley A USS McCalla Clemson Bethlehem Steel
Quincy
19 May 1919 23 October 1940
Wells B USS Tillman Wickes Charleston Navy Yard 30 April 1921 5 December 1940

Ships in class by operator edit

Royal Canadian Navy edit

Town-class destroyers of the Royal Canadian Navy
Name Ex- Date acquired Service Fate
Annapolis USS MacKenzie 29 September 1940 convoy escort with WLEF; relegated to training ship April 1944 towed to Boston for scrapping on 22 June 1945.
Buxton HMS Buxton August 1942 convoy escort with WLEF; relegated to training ship August 1943 She was scrapped on 21 March 1946.
Columbia USS Haraden 24 September 1940 convoy escort with WLEF; relegated to replenishment hulk Feb 1944 She was scrapped on 7 August 1945.
Hamilton HMS Hamilton June 1941 convoy escort with WLEF; relegated to tender August 1943 lost while being towed to Boston for scrapping in 1945.
Niagara USS Thatcher 26 September 1940 on 28 August 1941 Niagara was involved in the capture of U-570, which had surrendered to an RAF Hudson the previous day She was scrapped by the end of 1947.
St. Clair USS Williams 29 September 1940 convoy escort with NEF, then WLEF. relegated to submarine depot ship 1943 She was scrapped on 5 March 1946.
St. Croix USS McCook 24 September 1940 escorting convoy ON 113 she attacked and sank U-90 on 27 July 1942; escorting convoy KMS-10, St Croix and HMCS Shediac sank U-87 while escorting the combined convoys ONS 18/ON 202, St Croix was twice torpedoed by U-305 and sunk on 20 September 1943; survivors were taken aboard the frigate HMS Itchen, which was sunk on 22 September with very heavy loss of life; only one of St Croix's crew of 147 survived.
St. Francis USS Bancroft 24 September 1940 convoy escort with MOEF; relegated to training early 1944 She was wrecked while being towed for scrapping on 14 July 1945.

RCN (loaned from the Royal Navy) edit

Town-class destroyers of the Royal Canadian Navy (loaned from the Royal Navy)
Name Ex- Date acquired Service Fate
Chelsea HMS Chelsea November 1942 transferred to the Soviet Union as Derzky on 16 July 1944; returned to the Royal Navy on 24 June 1949 She was scrapped on 27 July 1949.
Georgetown HMS Georgetown September 1942 transferred to the Soviet Union as Zhyostky in August 1944; returned to the Royal Navy on 9 September 1952[13] She was scrapped on 16 September 1952.
Leamington HMS Leamington November 1942 during the fighting around convoy SC 42 in the North Atlantic she shared in the sinking of U-207 on 11 September 1941; while covering convoy WS-17 in the UK approaches, sank U-587 on 27 March 1942; transferred to the Soviet Union as Zhguchy on 17 July 1944; returned on 15 November 1950; hired for the film The Gift Horse, the last Town-class destroyer at sea under her own power She was scrapped on 3 December 1951.
Lincoln HNoMS Lincoln July 1942 transferred to the Soviet Union as Druzhny on 26 August 1944; returned to the Royal Navy on 24 August 1952 She was scrapped on 3 September 1952.
Mansfield HNoMS Mansfield September 1942 heavily involved in the critical convoy actions of March 1943 with convoy HX-229, landing survivors in the United Kingdom sold on 24 October 1944 for scrapping.
Montgomery HMS Montgomery December 1941 on convoy escort Montgomery rescued the survivors of Scottish Standard on 21 February 1941 and sank the Italian submarine Marcello the next day She was scrapped on 10 April 1945.
Richmond HMS Richmond June 1943 transferred to the Soviet Union as Zhivuchy on 16 June 1944; returned to the Royal Navy on 26 June 1949 She was scrapped on 29 June 1949.
Salisbury HMS Salisbury September 1942 she was employed as a special escort for specific convoys, including escorting Wasp during the supply of Spitfires to Malta She was scrapped in the US in April 1945.

Royal Navy edit

Town-class destroyers of the Royal Navy
Name Ex- Date acquired Service Fate
Bath USS Hopewell 23 September 1940 to Norway as HNoMS Bath in April 1941 lost on 19 August 1941
Belmont USS Satterlee 8 October 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command while escorting troop convoy NA-2 from St. John's, Newfoundland, Belmont was torpedoed by U-82 on 31 January 1942 and sank with the loss of her entire ship's company.
Beverley USS Branch 8 October 1940 she attacked and sank U-187 on 4 February 1942. Beverley was torpedoed by U-188 on 11 April 1943 and was sunk with the loss of all but four of the ship's company of 152.
Bradford USS McLanahan 8 October 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command consigned for scrapping in August 1946.
Brighton USS Cowell 23 September 1940 to the Soviet Union as Zharky on 16 July 1944; returned to the Royal Navy on 4 March 1949 She was scrapped on 18 May 1949.
Broadwater USS Mason 2 October 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command escorting convoy SC 48 between St. John's, Newfoundland and Iceland, Broadwater was torpedoed by U-101 and sunk on 18 October 1941.
Broadway USS Hunt 8 October 1940 while escorting convoy OB 318, Broadway took part in the attack on U-110 on 9 May 1941; abandoned by its crew, U-110 was boarded and taken in tow. Escorting convoy HX 237, Broadway located and sank U-89 in the North Atlantic on 14 May 1943 allocated for scrapping in March 1948.
Burnham USS Aulick 8 October 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She was scrapped on 2 December 1948.
Burwell USS Laub 8 October 1940 one of the ships involved in the recovery of U-570 after its surrender to an RAF aircraft consigned for scrapping in March 1947.
Buxton USS Edwards 8 October 1940 to Canada as HMCS Buxton in August 1942 Scrapped 21 March 1946
Caldwell USS Hale 9 September 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She was scrapped on 7 June 1945.
Cameron USS Welles 9 September 1940 Cameron never reached operational service; hit and set on fire by an air raid in Portsmouth on 5 December 1940, she was considered by the U.S. Navy as the worst damaged but surviving destroyer available and was extensively studied for explosive effects and damage control consigned for scrapping on 1 December 1944.
Campbeltown USS Buchanan 9 September 1940 to Netherlands as Campbeltown in March 1941; Returned September 1941 she was destroyed in Operation Chariot, 28 March 1942
Castleton USS Aaron Ward 9 September 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She was scrapped on 2 January 1948.
Charlestown USS Abbot 23 September 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She was scrapped on 3 December 1948.
Chelsea USS Crowninshield 9 September 1940 to Canada as HMCS Chelsea in November 1942; to the Soviet Union as Derzky in July 1944 returned and scrapped 1949
Chesterfield USS Welborn C. Wood 9 September 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She was scrapped on 3 December 1948.
Churchill USS Herndon 9 September 1940 to the Soviet Union as Deyatelny in July 1944 lost on 16 January 1945
Clare USS Abel P. Upshur 9 September 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She was scrapped on 18 February 1947.
Georgetown USS Maddox 23 September 1940 to Canada as HMCS Georgetown in September 1942; to the Soviet Union as Zhyostky in August 1944.[13] returned and scrapped September 1952
Hamilton USS Kalk 23 September 1940 to Canada as HMCS Hamilton in June 1941 sold for scrap July 1945, sank under tow to breakers
Lancaster USS Philip 23 October 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She was scrapped on 30 May 1947.
Leamington USS Twiggs 23 October 1940 to Canada as HMCS Leamington in November 1942; to the Soviet Union as Zhguchy in July 1944 (starred in 1950 film The Gift Horse, which depicted the St. Nazaire Raid) Scrapped December 1951
Leeds USS Conner 23 October 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She was scrapped on 19 January 1949.
Lewes USS Conway 23 October 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She outlived all of her sisters in British service and was stripped of valuable scrap and scuttled off Sydney, Australia on 25 May 1946.
Lincoln USS Yarnall 23 October 1940 to Norway as HNoMS Lincoln in February 1942; to Canada as HMCS Lincoln in November 1942; to the Soviet Union as Druzny in August 1944 returned and scrapped August 1952
Ludlow USS Stockton 23 October 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command stripped and beached as a target for rocket firing aircraft off Fidra Island, United Kingdom.
Mansfield USS Evans 23 October 1940 to Norway as HNoMS Mansfield in December 1940; to Canada as HMCS Mansfield in September 1942 Scrapped 1945
Montgomery USS Wickes 25 October 1940 to Canada as HMCS Montgomery in December 1941 Scrapped April 1945
Newark USS Ringgold 5 December 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command consigned for scrapping on 18 February 1947.
Newmarket USS Robinson 5 December 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She was scrapped on 21 September 1945.
Newport USS Sigourney 5 December 1940 to Norway as HNoMS Newport in March 1941 She was scrapped on 18 February 1947.
Ramsey USS Meade 26 November 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She was scrapped July 1947.
Reading USS Bailey 26 November 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She was scrapped on 24 July 1945.
Richmond USS Fairfax 26 November 1940 to Canada as HMCS Richmond in June 1943; to the Soviet Union as Zhivuchy in June 1944 Returned and scrapped June 1949
Ripley USS Shubrick 26 November 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command consigned for scrapping on 10 March 1945.
Rockingham USS Swasey 26 November 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command while returning to Aberdeen on 27 September 1944, poor navigation brought her into the defensive minefields off the east coast of the United Kingdom, and after striking a mine Rockingham was abandoned and sank with the loss of one life.
Roxborough USS Foote 23 September 1940 while with convoy HX-222 Roxborough met with such heavy weather that the entire bridge structure was crushed, with eleven dead, including the Commanding Officer and 1st Lieutenant; the sole surviving executive officer managed to regain control of the ship, and under hand steering from aft, she made St. John's, Newfoundland; to the Soviet Union as Doblestny on 10 August 1944; returned to the Royal Navy on 7 February 1949[14] She was scrapped on 14 May 1949.
Salisbury USS Claxton 5 December 1940 to Canada as HMCS Salisbury in September 1942 Scrapped April 1945
Sherwood USS Rodgers) 23 October 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command stripped of usable parts, Sherwood was beached on 3 October 1943 as a target for RAF rocket-equipped Beaufighters.
St Albans USS Thomas 23 September 1940 to Norway as HNoMS St. Albans in April 1941; to the Soviet Union as Dostoyny in July 1944; returned to the Royal Navy on 28 February 1949 towed for scrapping on 18 May 1949.
St. Mary's USS Doran 23 September 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She was scrapped in December 1945.
Stanley USS McCalla 23 October 1940 escorting convoy HG 76 from Gibraltar, Stanley and accompanying vessels sank U-131 on 17 December 1941 and U-434 on the following day Stanley was sunk by U-574 on 19 December 1941 with the loss of all but 25 of her crew.
Wells USS Tillman 5 December 1940 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command She was scrapped February 1946.

Royal Netherlands Navy edit

Town-class destroyers of the Royal Netherlands Navy
Name Ex- Date acquired Service Fate
Campbeltown HMS Campbeltown March 1941 Returned to RN service in Sept 1941 as HMS Campbeltown expended 28 March 1942 in Operation Chariot

Royal Norwegian Navy edit

Town-class destroyers of the Royal Norwegian Navy
Name Ex- Date acquired Service Fate
Bath HMS Bath 9 April 1941 convoy escort with Western Approaches Command while escorting convoy OG 71 between Liverpool and Gibraltar, Bath was torpedoed by U-204 on 19 August 1941 and sank rapidly.
Lincoln HMS Lincoln February 1942 to RCN as HMCS Lincoln in July 1942; to Soviet Union as Druzhny on 26 August 1944; returned to Royal Navy on 24 August 1952 Scrapped on 3 September 1952.
Mansfield HMS Mansfield December 1940 to RCN as HMCS Mansfield in September 1942 sold on 24 October 1944 for scrapping.
Newport HMS Newport March 1941 returned to RN in June 1942 scrapped 1947.
St. Albans HMS St Albans 14 April 1941 while with convoy SL 81, St Albans took part in the sinking of U-401 on 3 August 1941; encountered the Polish submarine Jastrzab, and in company with the minesweeper Seagull, attacked and sank it in early 1942; transferred to the Soviet Union as Dostoyny on 16 July 1944; returned to the Royal Navy on 28 February 1949 towed for scrapping on 18 May 1949.

Soviet Navy edit

Town-class destroyers of the Soviet Navy
Name Ex- Date acquired Service Fate
Deyatelny HMS Churchill 16 July 1944 convoy escort in the Arctic Ocean torpedoed and sunk by U-956 on 16 January 1945 while escorting a White Sea convoy; the last war loss of the class and the only one of the destroyers transferred to the Soviet Union to be lost.
Derzky HMCS Chelsea 16 July 1944 returned to the Royal Navy on 24 June 1949 Scrapped on 27 July 1949.
Doblestny HMS Roxborough[14] 10 August 1944 returned to the Royal Navy on 7 February 1949 Scrapped on 14 May 1949.
Dostoyny HNoMS St. Albans 16 July 1944 returned to the Royal Navy on 28 February 1949 towed for scrapping on 18 May 1949.
Druzny HMCS Lincoln 26 August 1944 returned to the Royal Navy on 24 August 1952 Scrapped on 3 September 1952.
Zharky HMS Brighton 16 July 1944 returned to the Royal Navy on 4 March 1949 Scrapped on 18 May 1949.
Zhguchy HMCS Leamington 17 July 1944 returned on 15 November 1950 Scrapped on 3 December 1951.
Zhivuchy HMCS Richmond 16 June 1944 returned to the Royal Navy on 26 June 1949 Scrapped on 29 June 1949.
Zhyostky HMCS Georgetown[13] August 1944 returned to the Royal Navy on 9 September 1952 Scrapped on 16 September 1952.

Notes edit

  1. ^ Lenton&Colledge 1968 pp.88–92
  2. ^ a b c d Thomas, Donald I., CAPT USN "Recommissioning Destroyers, 1939 Style" United States Naval Institute Proceedings September 1979 p.71
  3. ^ a b c Lenton&Colledge 1968 p.80
  4. ^ Milner 1985 p.23
  5. ^ Conway p.124
  6. ^ Bernard Edwards: Convoy Will Scatter; Pen & Sword 2013
  7. ^ Roskill p.348
  8. ^ Campbell 1985 p.143
  9. ^ Silverstone 1968 p.103
  10. ^ Lenton&Colledge 1968 pp.80
  11. ^ a b Lenton&Colledge 1968 pp.80&90–92
  12. ^ a b c d Hague p.14-15
  13. ^ a b c sources differ on whether Zhyostky was HMS Georgetown (Conway p.332) or HMS Roxborough (DANFS)
  14. ^ a b sources differ on whether Doblestny was HMS Georgetown (DANFS) or HMS Roxborough (Conway p332)

References edit

  • Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War Two. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.
  • R Gardiner, R Gray (1985) Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921 ISBN 0-85177-245-5
  • Lenton, H.T. & Colledge, J.J. (1968). British and Dominion Warships of World War II. Doubleday and Company.
  • Hague, Arnold (1988) Destroyers for Great Britain: A History of the 50 Town Class Ships Transferred From the United States to Great Britain in 1940. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis ISBN 0-87021-782-8 (Limited view at archive.org)
  • Milner, Marc (1985). North Atlantic Run. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-450-0.
  • Roskill, SW (1954) The War at Sea: 1939-1945 Vol I. HMSO (ISBN: none)
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1968). U.S. Warships of World War II. Doubleday and Company.

External links edit