HMS Havock was an H-class destroyer constructed for the British Royal Navy in the mid-1930s. She displaced approximately 1,350 long tons at standard load and up to 1,883 long tons at deep load. The vessel measured 323 feet in overall length, with a beam of 33 feet and a draught of 12 feet 5 inches. Powered by Parsons geared steam turbines driving two shafts, Havock developed a total of 34,000 shaft horsepower, enabling a maximum speed of 36 knots. Her steam was generated by three Admiralty 3-drum boilers. She carried a fuel oil capacity of 470 long tons, giving her an operational range of 5,530 nautical miles at 15 knots. The ship’s complement was 137 officers and ratings in peacetime, increased to 146 during wartime. Havock was armed with four 4.7-inch Mk IX guns in single mounts ('A', 'B', 'X', and 'Y'), complemented by two quadruple Mark I mounts for Vickers 0.5-inch AA machine guns. She was equipped with two quadruple 21-inch torpedo tube mounts and initially carried 20 depth charges, later increased to 44 as the war progressed. Additional AA modifications included the possible addition of 20 mm Oerlikon guns and other anti-aircraft weapons. Laid down on 15 May 1935 by William Denny & Brothers in Dumbarton, Scotland, and launched on 7 July 1936, she was completed on 16 January 1937 at a cost of £248,470. Upon commissioning, she served with the Mediterranean Fleet, patrolling Spanish waters during the Spanish Civil War and later enforcing British policies during the Second World War. HMS Havock participated in several notable engagements, including the First Battle of Narvik in April 1940, where she torpedoed and contributed to sinking the German destroyer Anton Schmitt. She also fought at the Battle of Cape Spada and the Battle of Cape Matapan, sinking the Italian destroyer Vittorio Alfieri. Throughout her service, she was heavily involved in escorting convoys, supporting operations in Greece, Crete, and North Africa. Damaged multiple times, she ultimately ran aground off Tunisia on 6 April 1942 while en route to Gibraltar, leading to her wreck and internment by Vichy French forces. Her maritime significance lies in her active wartime role, exemplifying the operational versatility and combat engagement typical of British destroyers during the early years of WWII.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.