HMS Highlander was an H-class destroyer originally ordered by the Brazilian Navy under the name Jaguaribe in the late 1930s. Constructed by John I. Thornycroft and Company in Woolston, Hampshire, she was laid down on 28 September 1938. After the outbreak of World War II, she was purchased by the Royal Navy on 5 September 1939, launched on 16 October 1939, and commissioned on 18 March 1940. Displacing approximately 1,350 long tons at standard load and up to 1,883 long tons at deep load, Highlander measured 323 feet in length, with a beam of 33 feet and a draught of 12 feet 5 inches. Her propulsion system comprised Parsons geared steam turbines driving two shafts, producing 34,000 shaft horsepower, enabling her to reach a maximum speed of 36 knots. Her fuel capacity allowed for a range of about 5,530 nautical miles at 15 knots. Armament initially included four 4.7-inch Mk IX guns in single mounts, with modifications over her service life including the removal of Y gun, replacement of rear torpedo tubes with a 12-pounder AA gun, and later additions of Oerlikon 20 mm guns and a Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar. She was equipped with ASDIC for submarine detection and later fitted with radar and HF/DF radio direction finding gear. Her complement consisted of 152 officers and men. Highlander’s early service involved convoy escort duties, rescue operations, and participation in Operation Aerial. She sank one German U-boat, U-32, in October 1940. Throughout her wartime career, she was transferred between various escort groups, notably serving as flotilla leader for Escort Group B-4 and later B-2. Highlander participated in the largest convoy battle of the Atlantic, SC 122, in March 1943, and endured damage from ice in April 1945. Following the war, Highlander served as a target ship before being decommissioned and sold for scrap in 1946. Her service record highlights her adaptability and significance in convoy protection and anti-submarine warfare during the Battle of the Atlantic.

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