HMS Imperial (1937) DD (1st) |
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This the only ship to carry the name HMS Imperial was an I
Class, destroyer. Built by Hawthorn Leslie, laid down 22-Jan-1936, launched 11-Dec-1936, and commissioned 30-Jun-1937. Was in the Mediterranean at the start of WW2, and immediately ordered to the UK and the Home Fleet. Returned to the Mediterranean 14-May-1940. Struck a mine and was damaged 11-Oct-1940 off Malta. Repairs took more than six months. Then she spent time in the Eastern Mediterranean. Where north of Crete 28-May-1941 she received a near miss from a bomb dropped by German aircraft. There appeared to be no damage, but next day 29-May, her steering failed. As there was critical danger of air attack, she was abandoned and sunk by torpedo from HMS Hotspur. Won the Battle Honours: Atlantic 1939, Norway 1940, Crete 1941 and Mediterranean 1941.
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- I Class
(1937) DD Outside Links |
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This page last edited -
29 May, 2012.
Copyright © Ian M King, except where otherwise indicated. |