HMS Badger was an Acheron-class destroyer of the Royal Navy, launched on 11 July 1911 by William Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton as part of the 1910-11 naval shipbuilding program. Notably, she was completed with geared steam turbines, known as a "Parsons Special," which was an experimental feature shared with her sister ship, Beaver. As an early 20th-century naval vessel, Badger measured approximately 240 feet in length with a beam of about 25 feet, designed for swift, agile operations typical of destroyers of her era. Commissioned in 1911, HMS Badger served with the First Destroyer Flotilla and was part of the British Grand Fleet at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. She participated in significant naval engagements, including the Battle of Heligoland Bight on 28 August 1914, where she was detached alongside other destroyers like Jackal, Beaver, and Sandfly, sharing in the prize money awarded for the engagement. In a notable wartime milestone, on 24 October 1914, Badger became the first Allied ship to successfully attack a German U-boat—ramming U-19 off the Dutch coast, severely damaging it. U-19 survived the war after repairs. During the Battle of Jutland, HMS Badger's role included rescuing the crew of HMS Invincible after it was destroyed by a German salvo that penetrated its magazines; only a handful of Invincible’s 1,021 crew survived. She also participated in rescue operations, notably rescuing approximately 570 survivors from the torpedoed SS Lanfranc in 1917. Her service extended to convoy escort duties, exemplified by her participation in the rescue of the torpedoed SS Tuscania in 1918, which was transporting American soldiers. Commanded by Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Corlett, who received the Italian Naval Decoration for service off Durazzo, Badger’s wartime career was marked by notable actions against enemy submarines and participation in major naval battles. After the war, like most of her class, she was laid up and was sold for breaking in May 1921, marking the end of her service.

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