HMS Ursa was a modified Admiralty R-class destroyer built for the Royal Navy during World War I, launched on 23 July 1917 and completed by 16 October of the same year. The vessel measured 276 feet (84.1 meters) in overall length, with a beam of 27 feet (8.2 meters) and a draught of 11 feet (3.4 meters). Displacing approximately 1,035 long tons (1,052 tonnes) normally, and up to 1,085 long tons (1,102 tonnes) at deep load, Ursa was designed for high-speed operations. Powered by three Yarrow boilers and two Brown-Curtis geared steam turbines rated at 27,000 shaft horsepower, she achieved a top speed of 36 knots (67 km/h). Constructed by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company in Jarrow, Ursa featured a streamlined design with the forward two boilers transposed, vented through a single funnel, allowing the bridge and forward gun to be positioned further aft. Her armament comprised three single 4-inch (102 mm) Mk V QF guns, with one on the forecastle, one aft on a raised platform, and one between the funnels, along with a single 2-pounder (40 mm) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft gun. She was also equipped with two twin mounts for 21-inch (533 mm) torpedoes. The vessel carried 296 long tons (301 tonnes) of fuel oil, providing a range of 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km) at 15 knots. Ursa's service included participation in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight on 17 November 1917, where she supported the 1st Cruiser Squadron. Under the command of Commander John Tovey, she was notably one of the first destroyers to launch torpedoes during the engagement. Tovey later received the Croix de Guerre for his distinguished wartime service aboard Ursa. After WWI, she joined the Home Fleet and remained in reserve at Portsmouth from December 1919. As part of the postwar reduction, Ursa was sold for scrap in 1928. Her service highlights her role in early naval combat and the evolution of destroyer design during wartime.

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