HMS Firedrake (H 79)
| Name | HMS Firedrake (H 79) | ||
| Type: | Destroyer (F-class) | ||
| Tonnage | 1.350 tons | ||
| Completed | 1935 - Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd, High Walker Yard, Newcastle-upon-Tyne | ||
| Owner | The Admiralty | ||
| Homeport | |||
| Date of attack | 17 Dec, 1942 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-211 (Karl Hause) | ||
| Position | 50.50N, 25.15W - Grid BD 3335 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 196 officers and men (170 dead and 26 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | ON-153 | ||
| Route | Londonderry - New York | ||
| Cargo | |||
| History | HMS Firedrake (H 79) was commissioned in May 1935. | ||
| Notes on loss | At 01.15 hours on 17 Dec, 1942, HMS Firedrake (H 79) (Cdr E.H. Tilden, DSC, RN) was hit by one of two torpedoes from U-211 while escorting the convoy ON-153 in the North Atlantic and broke in two. The bow sank immediately, but the stern remained afloat for some hours, finally sinking in the heavy weather. The commander, five officers and 163 ratings were lost. 27 survivors were picked up after about 5 hours by HMS Sunflower (K 41) (LtCdr J.T. Jones, RNR), but one rating later died of wounds. | ||
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