HMS Comet was a C-class destroyer constructed for the Royal Navy in the early 1930s. She measured 329 feet (100.3 meters) in length, with a beam of 33 feet (10.1 meters) and a draught of 12 feet 6 inches (3.8 meters). Displacing 1,375 long tons (1,397 tons) at standard load and up to 1,865 long tons (1,895 tons) at deep load, Comet was powered by Parsons geared steam turbines driving two shafts, producing 36,000 shaft horsepower, which enabled a maximum speed of 36 knots (67 km/h). Her fuel capacity of 473 long tons (481 tons) of fuel oil provided a range of approximately 5,500 nautical miles at 15 knots. The ship's complement consisted of 145 officers and men. Armament included four 4.7-inch (120 mm) Mk IX guns in single mounts designated 'A', 'B', 'X', and 'Y'. For anti-aircraft defense, Comet initially carried a single QF 3-inch (76 mm) gun, later removed in 1936, and two 40 mm (1.6 inch) QF 2-pounder Mk II guns, which were repositioned during her service. She was also equipped with two quadruple torpedo tube mounts for 21-inch torpedoes and three depth-charge chutes, later increased to 33 depth charges during wartime, with additional anti-submarine weaponry such as a Hedgehog mortar and depth charge throwers. Laid down on 12 September 1930 at Portsmouth Dockyard, Comet was launched on 30 September 1931 and completed on 2 June 1932. After initial service with the Home Fleet, she participated in patrol duties during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, enforcing the arms blockade and assisting the crew of the yacht Blue Shadow. She was briefly placed in reserve before being recommissioned for service with the Mediterranean Fleet as a plane guard for the aircraft carrier Glorious. In 1938, she was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy, renamed HMCS Restigouche, and underwent modifications to meet Canadian specifications, including the installation of ASDIC. During World War II, Restigouche served primarily as a convoy escort in the Atlantic, participating in anti-submarine patrols and supporting operations such as the invasion of Normandy. She also engaged in rescue missions, including the recovery of survivors from ships attacked by German U-boats and the unfortunate sinking of the light cruiser HMCS Fraser after a collision. Her service was marked by continual upgrades in anti-submarine weaponry and radar systems, reflecting her vital role in Allied maritime strategies. Restigouche was decommissioned in 1945 and scrapped in 1946, leaving a notable legacy as a versatile destroyer that served in both the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy during a critical period of naval warfare.

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