HMS Corunna (D97)
Encyclopedia
HMS Corunna (D97) was a later or 1943 Battle-class
fleet destroyer
of the Royal Navy
. She was named in honour of the Battle of Corunna
, which took place during the Peninsular War
in 1809 between British and French forces. Corunna was built by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Limited on the Tyne
. She was launched on 29 May 1945 and commissioned on 6 June 1947.
In 1948, Corunna joined the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, part of the Home Fleet. In 1954, Corunna, with the rest of the Squadron, formerly Flotilla, deployed to the Mediterranean, remaining there until 1955. Corunna, with the rest of the Squadron, returned to the region in 1956. In 1959, Corunna accidentally collided with her sister-ship in the Atlantic.
Corunna subsequently began her conversion to a Radar Picket, of which three other ships were also converted. The conversion included new AA weaponry, new radar, and the addition of the Sea Cat missile
system. In 1962, Corunna joined the 7th Destroyer Squadron, based in the Mediterranean, and the following year joined the 21st Escort Squadron. In 1964, Corunna deployed, along with the rest of the Squadron, to the Far East
, where she would remain until 1965. In 1967, Corunna was placed in reserve and was put on the disposal list in 1972. In 1975, Corunna arrived at Blyth
in Northumberland
where she was subsequently broken up.
Battle class destroyer
The Battle class were a class of destroyers of the British Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy . Built in three groups, the first group were ordered under the 1942 naval estimates. A modified second and third group, together with two ships of an extended design were planned for the 1943 and 1944...
fleet destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. She was named in honour of the Battle of Corunna
Battle of Corunna
The Battle of Corunna refers to a battle of the Peninsular War. On January 16, 1809, a French army under Marshal Soult attacked the British under Sir John Moore...
, which took place during the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
in 1809 between British and French forces. Corunna was built by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Limited on the Tyne
River Tyne
The River Tyne is a river in North East England in Great Britain. It is formed by the confluence of two rivers: the North Tyne and the South Tyne. These two rivers converge at Warden Rock near Hexham in Northumberland at a place dubbed 'The Meeting of the Waters'.The North Tyne rises on the...
. She was launched on 29 May 1945 and commissioned on 6 June 1947.
In 1948, Corunna joined the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, part of the Home Fleet. In 1954, Corunna, with the rest of the Squadron, formerly Flotilla, deployed to the Mediterranean, remaining there until 1955. Corunna, with the rest of the Squadron, returned to the region in 1956. In 1959, Corunna accidentally collided with her sister-ship in the Atlantic.
Corunna subsequently began her conversion to a Radar Picket, of which three other ships were also converted. The conversion included new AA weaponry, new radar, and the addition of the Sea Cat missile
Sea Cat missile
Sea Cat was a British short-range surface to air missile system intended to replace the ubiquitous Bofors 40 mm gun aboard warships of all sizes. It was the world's first operational shipboard point-defence missile system and was designed so that the Bofors guns could be replaced with minimum...
system. In 1962, Corunna joined the 7th Destroyer Squadron, based in the Mediterranean, and the following year joined the 21st Escort Squadron. In 1964, Corunna deployed, along with the rest of the Squadron, to the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
, where she would remain until 1965. In 1967, Corunna was placed in reserve and was put on the disposal list in 1972. In 1975, Corunna arrived at Blyth
Blyth, Northumberland
Blyth is a town and civil parish in southeast Northumberland, England. It lies on the coast, to the south of the River Blyth and is approximately 21 kilometres northeast of Newcastle upon Tyne...
in Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
where she was subsequently broken up.