class destroyer built royal_navy early 1930s ship initially assigned mediterranean_fleet transferred early temporarily deployed red_sea late crisis returning duty station remained transferred mediterranean_fleet second world war began september whilst escorting battleship hms british isles accidentally rammed battleship thick fog sank heavy loss life december description displaced long tons standard load long tons deep load ship overall length feet beam feet draught feet inches powered parsons geared steam turbines driving shafts developed total shaft horsepower gave maximum speed knots mph steam turbines provided admiralty drum water tube boilers carried maximum long tons fuel oil gave range nautical miles knots mph ship complement officers men ship mounted calibre inch guns single mounts anti aircraft defence single pounder inch gun quadruple mounts inch machine gun fitted water quadruple torpedo tube mounts inch torpedoes depth charge rail throwers fitted depth charges originally carried increased shortly war began service ordered february naval estimates laid yards june launched july commissioned january total cost excluding equipment supplied admiralty weapons ammunition wireless equipment ship initially assigned 1st destroyer flotilla mediterranean brief deployment red_sea september november return repaired malta december january given refit chatham dockyard september october prepare ship service arrived hong_kong january joined 8th destroyer flotilla ship attached mediterranean_fleet red_sea september november crisis number good visits time station conducted anti piracy patrols typhoon hong_kong september merchant ship crushed stern dragged anchors repairs completed october ship remained station late august imminent start second world war caused admiralty order war station mediterranean_fleet malta arrived october remained mediterranean months december ship sisters hms delight assigned escort battleship hms departed gibraltar december morning december collided heavy fog destroyer capsized depth charges exploded killing crew including commanding officer lieutenant commander stuck sea cabin sliding door jammed
HMS Duchess (H64)