HMS Zetland (L59)

Zetland in August 1943
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Zetland
Namesake: Zetland Hunt
Ordered: 20 December 1939
Builder: Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow
Laid down: 2 October 1940
Launched: 7 March 1942
Commissioned: 27 June 1942
Out of service:
Honours and
awards:
Badge: On a Field Black. within a horseshoe inverted White, a lion's face Gold.
Norway
Name: HNoMS Tromsø
Acquired:
  • Loaned 1952
  • Purchased July 1956
Identification: Pennant number: D311 changed to F311 after 1956
Fate: Sold for breaking up in 1965
Notes: Transferred to the Royal Norwegian Navy 31 October 1954 at South Shields Co Durham.
General characteristics
Class & type: Type II Hunt-class destroyer
Displacement:
  • 1,050 tons standard;
  • 1,490 tons full load
Length: 85.34 m (280.0 ft)
Beam: 9.62 m (31.6 ft)
Draught: 2.51 m (8 ft 3 in)
Propulsion: 2 shaft Parsons geared turbines; 19,000 shp
Speed: 25.5 kn (47.2 km/h; 29.3 mph)
Range: 3,600 nmi (6,670 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement: 164
Armament:
  • 6 × QF 4 in Mark XVI on twin mounts Mk. XIX
  • AAA - 2 x 4 12.7mm Vickers, 2 x 20mm
  • 6 Thornycroft depth charge throwers,

HMS Zetland was a Royal Navy Type II Hunt-class destroyer, named after the Zetland Hunt.

Built by Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow and launched on 7 March 1942. She was commissioned on 27 June 1942 with the pennant number L59. Zetland was given to the Royal Norwegian Navy and commissioned as HNoMS Tromsø. She was sold for breaking up in 1965.

Second World War service

During the Second World War, Zetland saw service in the Atlantic (1942–43), Malta Convoys (1942), north Africa (1942–43), Mediterranean (1943–44), Aegean (1944), Adriatic (1944) and Operation Dragoon, the landings in southern France in 1944.

Air Raid on Bari

Zetland was one of two Hunt-class destroyers that were damaged in the air raid on Bari in December 1943. An ammunition ship was hit and exploded, spreading her cargo of mustard gas over the harbour and town. Zetland's sister ship, Bicester was damaged more seriously. Zetland towed Bicester to Taranto for repairs. There were so many mustard gas casualties that, on arrival in Taranto, the ships had to ask for assistance to enter the harbour as all navigating officers had their vision impaired by this chemical weapon.[1]

Postwar service

Between June and October 1945 Zetland was in refit in Alexandria, before returning to the UK. On 20 April 1946 she paid off into reserve and was assigned to the Solent Division Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as a drill ship. On 2 September 1954 she was lent to Norway. She was broken up in 1965 at Sarpsborg shipbreakers.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Southern, George (2002). Poisonous Inferno: WWII Tragedy at Bari Harbour. Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 184037389X.
  2. ↑ Critchley, Mike, "British Warships Since 1945: Part 3: Destroyers", Maritime Books: Liskeard, UK, 1982. ISBN 0-9506323-9-2, page 39

Publications


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