HMS Comet (R26)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Comet, 19 September 1945 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Comet |
| Builder | Yarrow, Scotstoun |
| Laid down | 14 June 1943 |
| Launched | 22 June 1944 |
| Commissioned | 6 June 1945 |
| Out of service | Paid off in February 1958 |
| Identification | Pennant number: R26 (later D26) |
| Fate | Arrived for breaking up at Troon on 23 June 1962 |
| General characteristics (as built) | |
| Class & type | C-class destroyer |
| Displacement | 1,865 long tons (1,895 t) (standard) |
| Length | 362 ft 9 in (110.6 m) o/a |
| Beam | 35 ft 8 in (10.9 m) |
| Draught | 15 ft 3 in (4.6 m) (full load) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | 2 shafts; 2 geared steam turbines |
| Speed | 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph) |
| Range | 4,675 nautical miles (8,658 km; 5,380 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
| Complement | 186 |
| Armament |
|
HMS Comet 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.
The Co sub-class was a repeat of the preceding Ch sub-class. Comet 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, Comet reached a speed of 31.8 knots (58.9 km/h; 36.6 mph) at a load of 2,200 long tons (2,200 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]
