HMS Boadicea was a B-class destroyer constructed for the Royal Navy, launched on 23 September 1930 and completed on 9 April 1931. Displacing approximately 1,360 long tons at standard load and up to 1,790 long tons at deep load, the vessel measured 323 feet in length with a beam of 32 feet 3 inches and a draught of 12 feet 3 inches. Powered by Parsons geared steam turbines driving two shafts, she achieved a maximum speed of 35 knots, fueled by three Admiralty 3-drum boilers and capable of carrying 390 long tons of fuel oil, which provided a range of 4,800 nautical miles at 15 knots. Her crew comprised 134 officers and ratings, increasing during wartime. Armament included four 45-calibre QF 4.7-inch Mk IX guns in single mounts, two 40mm QF 2-pounder AA guns, and two quadruple 21-inch torpedo tube mounts. Additional anti-submarine equipment comprised depth charges—initially 20, later increased to 35—and a Type 119 ASDIC set. Throughout her service, her AA armament was upgraded, notably replacing torpedo tubes with a 3-inch AA gun and later fitting a Hedgehog mortar, along with extra depth charges and Oerlikon autocannons. Constructed by Hawthorn Leslie and laid down in July 1929 at Hebburn-on-Tyne, HMS Boadicea was assigned initially to the Mediterranean Fleet, participating in evacuations during the Spanish Civil War and enforcing the arms embargo in Spanish waters. She transferred to the Home Fleet in 1936 and was involved in various patrols and escort duties, including evacuations from France in 1940. Severely damaged by German dive bombers in June 1940 during the evacuation of France, she was repaired and later served in convoy escort roles across the Atlantic, Arctic, and Mediterranean theaters. Her notable service included participation in Operation Torch, Arctic convoys, and the Normandy invasion. On 13 June 1944, while escorting a convoy to France, HMS Boadicea was sunk by German aircraft using either Fritz X missiles or torpedoes, resulting in the loss of most of her crew. Her wreck lies about 16 miles southwest of Portland at a depth of 53 meters, with her bow blown off and the stern relatively upright, designated as a protected military site.

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