HMS Gurkha (G63)

HMS Gurkha was an L-class destroyer in Britain's Royal Navy during World War II. She was originally to be named Larne in line with her class letter. However, after the Tribal-class Gurkha was sunk in April 1940 the officers and men of the Gurkha regiments each subscribed one day's pay to replace her and Larne was renamed before launching.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Gurkha.

HMS Gurkha sinking after being torpedoed
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Gurkha
NamesakeGurkha
Ordered31 March 1938
BuilderCammell Laird & Co Ltd, Birkenhead
Laid down18 October 1938
Launched8 July 1940
Commissioned18 February 1941
Identificationpennant number: G63
FateTorpedoed and sunk by U-133 off Sidi Barrani, 17 January 1942
General characteristics
TypeL-class destroyer
Displacement
  • 1,920 long tons (1,950 t) (standard)
  • 2,660 long tons (2,700 t) (deep)
Length362 ft 3 in (110.4 m) o/a
Beam37 ft (11.3 m)
Draught10 ft (3.0 m)
Installed power48,000 shp (36,000 kW)
Propulsion
  • 2 × shafts
  • 2 × Parsons geared steam turbines
  • 2 × Admiralty 3-drum boilers
Speed36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph)
Range5,500 nmi (10,200 km; 6,300 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement190
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
  • 4 × 2 – QF 4-inch Mk XVI dual purpose guns
  • 1 × 4 – QF 2-pounder Mk VIII anti-aircraft guns
  • 2 × 1 – QF 20 mm Oerlikon guns
  • 2 × 2 – QF .5-inch Vickers Mk III anti-aircraft machine guns
  • 2 × 4 – 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • 110 × depth charges, 2 rails and 8 throwers

Her only commanding officer (Commander Charles Nugent Lentaigne) was brother of Joe Lentaigne who was an officer in the 4th (Prince of Wales' Own) Gurkhas.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.