HMS Blanche (H47) was a B-class destroyer constructed for the Royal Navy around 1930. She displaced approximately 1,360 long tons at standard load and up to 1,790 long tons at deep load. The vessel measured 323 feet (98.5 meters) in overall length, with a beam of 32 feet 3 inches (9.8 meters) and a draught of 12 feet 3 inches (3.7 meters). Powered by Parsons geared steam turbines driving two shafts, Blanche developed a total of 34,000 shaft horsepower, enabling a maximum speed of 35 knots (65 km/h). Steam was supplied by three Admiralty 3-drum boilers. Her fuel capacity was 390 long tons (400 tonnes) of oil, providing a range of 4,800 nautical miles (8,900 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h). The ship's complement was 134 officers and men, increasing to 142 during wartime. Armament comprised four 45-calibre QF 4.7-inch Mk IX guns mounted in single positions, with anti-aircraft defenses including two 40 mm QF 2-pounder Mk II AA guns placed between her funnels. She was equipped with two quadruple 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes and carried 20 depth charges initially, later increased to 35. to bolster anti-submarine capabilities. Constructed by Hawthorn Leslie of Hebburn, Blanche was ordered in March 1929, laid down in July 1929, and launched in May 1930. She was completed in February 1931 at a cost of £225,195, excluding armament and communications equipment supplied by the Admiralty. After commissioning, she served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla of the Mediterranean Fleet until 1936, when she was refitted and reassigned to the Home Fleet. During her service, Blanche was involved in enforcing non-intervention during the Spanish Civil War, based in Gibraltar. She notably responded to the distress of the merchant ship Thorpehall in 1937, and was attacked but unscathed by Nationalist bombers in 1938. She underwent a brief overhaul in 1938 and later joined the anti-submarine flotilla at Isle of Portland. During the Munich Crisis, she escorted vessels in the English Channel. At the outbreak of World War II, Blanche was assigned to the 19th Destroyer Flotilla, conducting convoy escorts and patrols in the Channel and North Sea. Her service ended tragically on 13 November 1939 when she struck a mine laid by German destroyers in the Thames Estuary while escorting the minelayer Adventure. Capsizing at 0950, Blanche became the first British destroyer lost to enemy action in the war, with one crew member killed and twelve wounded.

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