HMS Beaufort (L14)

Beaufort in May 1945
History
United Kingdom
Name:	HMS Beaufort
Ordered:	4 September 1940
Builder:	Cammell Laird
Laid down:	17 July 1940
Launched:	9 June 1941
Commissioned:	3 November 1941
Norway
Name:	KNM Haugesund
Acquired:	transferred to the Royal Norwegian Navy in 1952
Identification:	F312
Fate:	Sold for breaking up in 1965
Notes:	Pennant number: D312 changed to F312 after 1956
General characteristics
Class & type:	Hunt-class destroyer

HMS Beaufort was a Hunt-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was laid down on 17 July 1940 at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead. She was launched on 9 June 1941 and commissioned on 3 November 1941. She was transferred to the Royal Norwegian Navy in 1952 and scrapped in 1965.

Second World War service

She was captained by Lt-Cdr Sir Standish O'Grady Roche, Bart, DSO in the Second Battle of Sirte, 22 March 1942.

Postwar service

On 10 June 1945 Beaufort arrived in Cardiff from the Mediterranean for a refit, however this was abandoned and she was towed to Devonport and placed in reserve.^[1]

In 1952 she was sold to Norway and renamed Haugesund. In 1954 she was fitted with lattice masts and two Squid Anti-submarine mortars, in place of the 'X' gun turret on the aft of the ship.^[2] She was scrapped in 1965^[3]

KNM Haugesund circa 1960.

References

1. Critchley, Mike, "British Warships Since 1945: Part 3: Destroyers", Maritime Books: Liskeard, UK, 1982. ISBN 0-9506323-9-2, page 35
2. Blackman, Raymond V B, Jane's Fighting Ships 1963-4, Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd, London, p188
3. Helgason, Guðmundur. "HMS Beaufort (L 14)". Allied Warships of WWII. Uboat.net. Retrieved 23 March 2011.

Publications

• 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. OCLC 67375475.