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HMS Heythrop (L85)

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HMS Heythrop (L85)
History
United Kingdom
NameHeythrop
NamesakeHeythrop Hunt
Ordered4 September 1939
BuilderSwan Hunter, Tyne and Wear
Yard numberJ4139
Laid down18 December 1939
Launched20 October 1940
Commissioned21 June 1941
IdentificationPennant number: L85
Honours and
awards
  • Battle Honours
  • Atlantic 1941
  • Libya 1941/42
  • Malta Convoys 1941/42
FateSunk by torpedo from U-652 20 March 1942
General characteristics Type II
Class and typeHunt-class destroyer
Displacement
  • 1,050 long tons (1,070 t) standard
  • 1,430 long tons (1,450 t) full load
Length85.3 m (279 ft 10 in) o/a
Beam9.6 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught2.51 m (8 ft 3 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 27 knots (31 mph; 50 km/h)
  • 25.5 kn (29.3 mph; 47.2 km/h) full
Range3,600 nmi (6,700 km) at 14 kn (26 km/h)
Complement164
Armament
Service record

HMS Heythrop (L85) was a Hunt-class destroyer of the Royal Navy She was ordered as part of the 1939 War Emergency programme. She was launched in 1940 and served during the Second World War. She was named after the Heythrop Hunt.

Service history

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On completion Heythorp proceeded to the Mediterranean where she was employed on escort tasks until her loss. On 20 March 1942 she was 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Bardia when she was hit by a torpedo fired by U-652. She was severely damaged and was taken under tow however when her pumps could not cope she was abandoned and the crew transferred by boat to HMS Eridge. She sank later that day.

References

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Publications

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  • Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
  • English, John (1987). The Hunts: a history of the design, development and careers of the 86 destroyers of this class built for the Royal and Allied Navies during World War II. England: World Ship Society. ISBN 0-905617-44-4.