Consort on the River Clyde in 1946
History
United Kingdom
NameConsort
Ordered14 August 1942
BuilderAlexander Stephen & Sons, Linthouse
Laid down26 May 1943
Launched19 October 1944
Commissioned19 March 1946
IdentificationPennant number: R76
FateArrived for scrapping at Swansea on 15 March 1961
General characteristics (as built)
Class and typeC-class destroyer
Displacement1,865 long tons (1,895 t) (standard)
Length362 ft 9 in (110.6 m) o/a
Beam35 ft 8 in (10.9 m)
Draught15 ft 3 in (4.6 m) (full load)
Installed power
Propulsion2 shafts; 2 geared steam turbines
Speed36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph)
Range4,675 nautical miles (8,658 km; 5,380 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement186
Armament

HMS Consort was one of thirty-two C-class destroyers built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War, a member of the eight-ship Co sub-class.

Design and description

The Co sub-class was a repeat of the preceding Ch sub-class. Consort displaced 1,865 long tons (1,895 t) at standard load and 2,515 long tons (2,555 t) at deep load. They had an overall length of 362 feet 9 inches (110.6 m), a beam of 35 feet 8 inches (10.9 m) and a deep draught of 15 feet 3 inches (4.6 m).[1]

The ships were powered by a pair of geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft using steam provided by two Admiralty three-drum boilers. The turbines developed a total of 40,000 indicated horsepower (30,000 kW) and gave a speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph) at normal load.[2] During her sea trials, Consort reached a speed of 31.6 knots (58.5 km/h; 36.4 mph) at a load of 2,356 long tons (2,394 t).[3] The Co sub-class carried enough fuel oil to give them a range of 4,675 nautical miles (8,658 km; 5,380 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph). The ships' complement was 186 officers and ratings.[1]

The main armament of the destroyers consisted of four QF 4.5-inch (114 mm) Mk IV dual-purpose guns, one superfiring pair each fore and aft of the superstructure protected by partial gun shields. Their anti-aircraft suite consisted of one twin-gun stabilised Mk IV "Hazemeyer" mount for 40-millimetre (1.6 in) Bofors guns and two single 2-pounder (40 mm) AA guns amidships, and single mounts for a 20-millimetre (0.8 in) Oerlikon AA gun on the bridge wings.[1] The ships were fitted with one quadruple mount for 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes.[4] The ships were equipped with a pair of depth charge rails and two throwers for 35 depth charges.[5]

Construction and career

Consort was ordered from Alexander Stephens & Sons and the ship was laid down on 26 May 1943 at its shipyard in Linthouse, launched on 19 October 1944 and was commissioned on 19 March 1946.[1]

Consort was damaged by artillery fire during the Yangtze Incident in an attempt to tow the sloop Amethyst from a mudbank, taking 56 direct hits, and causing casualties of 23 wounded and a further ten dead.[6]

Following decommissioning she was sold to the Prince of Wales Drydock Co., of Swansea, Wales, for scrap and arrived there on 15 March 1961.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Lenton, p. 183
  2. ^ Whitley, p. 136
  3. ^ March, p. 429
  4. ^ Chesneau, p. 43
  5. ^ March, p. 424
  6. ^ Cotterell, Arthur (26 January 2010). Western power in Asia: its slow rise and swift fall, 1415-1999. John Wiley & Sons. p. 307. ISBN 978-0-470-82489-4.
  7. ^ English, p. 139

Bibliography

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