Technical information
Type | Destroyer |
Displacement | 1350 BRT |
Length | 323 feet (oa) |
Complement | 138 men |
Armament | 4 4.7" guns (4x1) 2 2pdr AA (2x1) 8 21" torpedo tubes (2x4) |
Max speed | 35 knots |
Engines | Geared turbines, 2 shafts |
Power | 34000 HP |
Notes on class | The specifications as listed above are for the 'normal' A-class destroyers. HMS Codrington was fitted as flotilla leader and had some different specifications; Displacement: 1540 BRT Complement: 185 men Lenght: 343 feet (oa) Armament: 5 4.7" guns (5x1) 2 2pdr AA (2x1) 8 21" torpedo tubes (2x4) Power: 39000 HP Unfortunately Codrington had a large turning circle, much greater than the rest of the class. The result was that there were some difficulties when manoeuvring her flotilla. During the conflict the surviving ships underwent changes such as a 3" AA gun in lieu of the after bank of torpedo tubes and 20mm Oerlikon AA guns in the bridge wings. The Canadian ships HMCS Saguenay and HMCS Skeena were a slightly modified design with heavier plating around the bow so they could operate in waters where there was a risk of Ice, they were not fitted or intended to be icebreakers. |
Royal Canadian Navy ships of the A class
To see all A class ships click here.
HMCS Saguenay (D 79) | ||
HMCS Skeena (D 59) | Lost on 25 Oct 1944 | |
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The last stand of the tin can sailors Hornfischer, James D. |
Books dealing with this subject include:
200,000 Miles Aboard the Destroyer Cotten, Robinson, C. Snelling, 1999 |