Hunt Type III Royal Navy Escort Destroyer

In the years leading up to World War II, the Royal Navy recognized the need for a destroyer suitable for convoy escort duties. This new design became the Hunt class of “fast escort vessels” which was later reclassified as an “escort destroyers”.  The first Hunt escort destroyers were ordered in 1939 and were to be armed with six 4-inch Mark XVI guns in three twin Mark XIX mounts. In addition, a quadruple QF 2-pounder Mark VII Pom Pom was fitted aft of the funnel. They also had a depth charge stowage of 40.  After 20 ships were ordered in March and April of 1939, it became apparent that the initial ships had limitations. They were too short and narrow and with a limited range that made them unsuitable for the open oceans. They were also top heavy and the narrow beam made them unstable. The first 20 ships were too far advanced in construction, so to compensate the “X” twin 4-inch gun mount was removed and 50 tons of ballast added. The quad Pom Pom was also relocated to the “X” position. These initial batch of ships became the Hunt Type I group.

The correct the design deficiency of the Type I, the hull beam was increased. This increased the stability of the ship to allow for the designed armament of three twin 4-inch guns mounts and quad Pom Pom fitted aft of the funnel. In addition, depth charge stowage was increased to 110. The bridge was also redesigned with the compass platform extending forward to the wheelhouse face. These ships became the Type II group and 36 were ordered in late 1939.

In 1940 it was decided that torpedoes were needed, so the next batch of vessels were completed to a further revised design. The Type III group had the 'Y' 4-inch gun mounting on the quarterdeck removed to accommodate a pair of 21-inch torpedo tubes amidships. Type III Hunts were readily identifiable by their straight funnels with sloping tops and by the absence of rake in the foremast. A total of 28 Type III Hunts were completed, with several transferred to Allied navies during the war. A total of 13 were lost during the war. Postwar, some surviving ships were sold to other navies and the rest eventually scrapped.