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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2003

HMS THANET (D 29) -  Old S-class Destroyer

HMS Scimitar, sister-ship (NavyPhotos/Paul Simpson, click  to enlarge)

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S-Class destroyer ordered from Hawthorn Leslie at Newcastle under 1917-18 Programme (12th Order) in July 1917. The ship was laid down on 13th December 1917 and launched on 5th November 1918. She was the 2nd RN ship to carry this name, previously used by a Water Carrier hired in 1916 for war service. Build  was completed on 3rd August 1919. After entry into service she was used for trials of a flying off platform  for aircraft. When war with Germany was declared on 3rd Sept. 1939 this destroyer was deployed with the Local Destroyer Flotilla at Hong Kong.

 

B a t t le   H o n o u r s

None

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a field Blue a Cross fitched Gold.

 

M o t t o

In hoc signo: 'By this sign you will conquer'

 

 

D e t a i l s   o f   W a r   S e r v i c e

 

(for more ship information, go to Naval History Homepage and type name in Site Search)

 

 

1 9 3 9

 

September

                3rd          Deployed on China Station for patrol and Interception of German shipping,

 

October                  Nominated for conversion for use as minelayer.

                                (Note: HM Destroyers SCOTT, TENEDOS, and THRACIAN of this Class

                                and serving on, the China Station were also converted for this purpose

                                during build in 1919).

                18th        Taken in hand by HM Dockyard Hong Kong for modification.

                21st         Laid defensive minefield in Lantau Channel with HMS THANET an

                to            auxiliary which had been converted from use as a mercantile ferry, HMS

                27th        MAN YEUNG.

                                838 mines were laid in this operation).

                28th        Reverted to anti-submarine role.

 

November              After conversion deployed at Hong Kong for local escort and patrol duty.

 

December              Local patrol and escort duties in continuation.

 

1 9 4 0

 

                                Hong Kong Local Flotilla trade defence and patrol deployment in continuation.

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                  Hong Kong deployment in continuation.

to                            (Note: After war with Japan was imminent future deployment discussed

November              with US Navy.

 

December              At Hong Kong.

                8th          Transferred to Singapore with HM Destroyer SCOUT as agreed with US Navy.

                                Took passage to Join Eastern Fleet and avoided interception by IJN.

                13th        After arrival carried out local escort duties.

 

1 9 4 2

January

                26th        Sent with HM Australian Destroyer VAMPIRE to intercept Japanese invasion

                                convoy approaching Endau on east coast of Malaya.

                27th        In action with UN cruiser SENDARI and destroyers YUGIRI, FUBUKI and

                                ASAGIR1.

                                Hit in engine room and disabled prior to sinking after in a gallant confrontation

                                with heavily armed opponents

                                (See OPERATION PACIFIC by Edwyn Gray and. WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO).

 
 

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revised 1/7/11
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