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HMS Exmouth (H02)

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Profile of an E-class destroyer
History
RN Ensign
NameHMS Exmouth
Ordered1 November 1932
BuilderPortsmouth Dockyard
Laid down15 March 1933
Launched30 January 1934
Commissioned9 November 1934
Mottolist error: <br /> list (help)
Deo Adjuvante
("By God’s help")
Honours and
awards		Atlantic 1939
FateSunk by German submarine U-22, 21 January 1940
BadgeOn a Field Red, a lion passant Gold
General characteristics
Class and typeE-class destroyer/flotilla leader
Displacementlist error: <br /> list (help)
1,495 long tons (1,519 t) (standard)
2,050 long tons (2,082.9 t) (deep)
Length343 ft (105 m) o/a
Beam33 ft 9 in (10.29 m)
Draught12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)
Installed power36,000 shp (27,000 kW)
Propulsionlist error: <br /> list (help)
2 × Parsons geared steam turbines
3 × Admiralty 3-drum boilers, rated to 300 psi, 620 °F
2 × shafts
Speedlist error: <br /> list (help)
36 kn (67 km/h) (standard)
32 kn (37 mph; 59 km/h) (deep)
Rangelist error: <br /> list (help)
6,500 nmi (7,500 mi; 12,000 km) at 15 kn (17 mph; 28 km/h)
1,500 nmi (1,700 mi; 2,800 km) at 36 kn (41 mph; 67 km/h)
Complement175
Armament5 × 4.7 in (120 mm) Mk. IX L/45 guns, 8 × QF .5 in (13 mm) Mk.I anti-aircraft machine guns (2x4), 8 × 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes (4x2), 1 × 20-round depth charge rack
For other ships with the same name, see HMS Exmouth.

HMS Exmouth was an E-class destroyer flotilla leader of the Royal Navy. She served during the Second World War.

Construction and commissioning

Exmouth was ordered on 1 November 1932 under the 1931 Naval Programme, and was laid down at Portsmouth Dockyard on 15 March 1933. She was launched on 15 February 1934, named the following day, and commissioned for service on 11 November 1934.

Pre-war career

On commissioning, Exmouth was assigned as leader of the 5th Destroyer Flotilla, with the Home Fleet. She joined the flotilla at Scapa Flow in December, and spent the period from January-July 1935 carrying out exercises. The increased tensions between Italy and Abyssinia — eventually leading to the outbreak of the Second Italo-Abyssinian War — caused the Admiralty to nominate the flotilla for service in the Mediterranean. They joined the Mediterranean Fleet in August and spent September on exercises. Exmouth put in to Alexandria on 4 October to begin a refit, which lasted until December. After her return to service in January 1936, Exmouth continued to carry out exercises with the flotilla, until returning to Britain in March.

After spending time with the Home Fleet, the flotilla sailed to the Spanish coast in August, following the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. The flotilla remained on this station, protecting British shipping and enforcing an arms embargo. Exmouth again returned to Britain for a refit at Portsmouth, which lasted until January 1937. She returned to the flotilla off the Spanish coast, where they remained until April. They were then reassigned to the Home Fleet, and on 20 May they were amongst the ships assembled for the Coronation Fleet Review by HM King George VI. The ships then returned to operating with the Home Fleet and carrying out a visits programme, until they were reassigned to the western Mediterranean in October.

The flotilla was active in the Mediterranean until February 1938, when they rejoined the Home Fleet. With the Munich crisis in September the flotilla prepared for war service. On 21 November, Exmouth again underwent a refit at Portsmouth. In January 1939, the flotilla returned to the Mediterranean, returning in March. On 28 April, Exmouth had her complement reduced and she was assigned to training duties and local flotilla work based at Portsmouth. She carried out these duties until July, when she was ordered to take up her war station as leader of the 12th Destroyer Flotilla. Her full complement was re-established by 2 August and she prepared for combat.

Wartime career and sinking

She spent the period from August-November 1939 deploying with the flotilla. In December, she was transferred to the Western Approaches Command to carry out patrols and escort convoys through the North Western Approaches, and the North Sea. She was escorting the merchant Cyprian Prince on 21 January 1940 when she was spotted by U-22, under the command of Karl-Heinrich Jenisch and torpedoed at 05:35. She sank with the loss of all 189 hands. Eighteen bodies were later recovered and buried in a cemetery at Wick.

Aftermath

The wreck of Exmouth was discovered in the Moray Firth in July 2001 by an independent expedition, with their findings being verified by Historic Scotland. The wreck is one of those listed as a 'protected place' under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. A relatives association for the crew of Exmouth was formed in 2001, which holds services in memory of those lost.

Notes

References

  • English, John (1993). Amazon to Ivanhoe: British Standard Destroyers of the 1930s. Kendal, England: World Ship Society. ISBN 0-905617-64-9.
  • Whitley, M. J. (1988). Destroyers of World War 2. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-326-1.

External links

58°18′N 2°25′W / 58.300°N 2.417°W / 58.300; -2.417

E- and F-class destroyers
E class
 Royal Navy
 Royal Canadian Navy
Part of River class
 Royal Hellenic Navy
F class
 Royal Navy
 Royal Canadian Navy
Part of River class
 Dominican Navy
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