HMS Zebra (R81) was a Z-class destroyer constructed for the Royal Navy during World War II. Originally laid down as HMS Wakeful at William Denny & Brothers' shipyard in Dumbarton on 14 May 1942, she was renamed Zebra in January 1943 before her launch. She was launched on 18 March 1944 and commissioned on 13 October 1944. The vessel was the sixth ship to bear the name Zebra in Royal Navy service. The Z-class destroyers, including Zebra, were designed as War Emergency Programme ships, intended for versatile duties such as anti-submarine escort and fleet screening. They measured 362 feet 9 inches (110.57 meters) in overall length, with a beam of 35 feet 8 inches (10.87 meters) and a draught of 10 feet (3.05 meters) at mean load, increasing to 14 feet 3 inches at full load. Displacing 1,710 long tons (1,740 tonnes) standard and 2,530 long tons (2,570 tonnes) at full load, Zebra's propulsion system comprised two Admiralty 3-drum water-tube boilers driving Parsons turbines rated at 40,000 shaft horsepower, enabling her to reach speeds up to 36 knots. Her armament included four 4.5-inch (120 mm) QF Mk. IV guns, the first class of destroyers to use this new gun, with anti-aircraft capabilities. Close-in defense consisted of a Hazemayer twin Bofors 40 mm mount and six Oerlikon 20 mm cannons, later modified with additional autocannon. She also carried two quadruple torpedo tubes for 21-inch torpedoes and was equipped with four depth charge mortars and two racks, carrying a total of 70 depth charges. Zebra’s operational history began with her joining the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla of the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow. Her service was initially hampered by accidents, including collisions with the oiler San Castro and a jetty. She conducted screening and patrol duties in the North Western Approaches, Arctic convoy escort missions—including JW63 and RA63—and operations off Scandinavia and Norway. Notably, Zebra supported Operation Selenium in February 1945, a minelaying and anti-shipping operation. She continued her wartime duties until the cessation of hostilities, after which she participated in re-occupation efforts in Europe. Post-war, Zebra served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla until 1947, after which she was placed in reserve at Plymouth and Harwich. Plans for conversion to an anti-submarine frigate were canceled in 1955, and by 1958 she was sold for scrap due to her deteriorated condition. She was broken up at Newport, Monmouth, arriving at the breakers yard on 12 February 1959, marking the end of her maritime service.

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