HMS Fortune was an Acasta-class destroyer of the Royal Navy, launched in 1913 and notable for its role in World War I and its sinking at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. As part of the larger Acasta class, Fortune featured several design enhancements over earlier classes, including larger displacement and a uniform QF 4-inch gun armament, which replaced the mixed calibre armament of previous models. The vessel displaced approximately 1,072 long tons (1,089 tonnes), measured 267 feet 6 inches (81.53 meters) in length, with a beam of 27 feet (8.2 meters) and a draught of 9 feet 6 inches (2.90 meters). Fortune was powered by four Yarrow-type water-tube boilers supplying Parsons steam turbines rated at 24,500 shaft horsepower, enabling her to reach a maximum speed of 29 knots (54 km/h). Her armament included three QF 4-inch guns—one mounted on the forecastle and the others on either side abreast the after torpedo tube—and a single QF 2-pounder pom-pom anti-aircraft gun. She was equipped with two single 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes for a total of four torpedoes. An experimental feature was her clipper bow, a design choice intended to improve seakeeping. Constructed by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, she was laid down under the 1911–1912 program and launched on 17 March 1913. Initially named HMS Fortune, she was briefly renamed HMS Kismet in October 1913 before reverting to her original name. During her service, Fortune joined the 4th Destroyer Flotilla and served with the Grand Fleet from the outbreak of WWI. She participated in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, where she was engaged in anti-German actions during the night. During the battle, Fortune and her sister ship Ardent were separated from the main flotilla and engaged German ships, ultimately being sunk in the firefight. Fortune was last observed aflame but still firing as she sank, with 67 crewmen killed or missing, seven becoming prisoners of war, and eleven rescued by British ships. Her wreck is now designated as a protected site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, marking her as a significant maritime relic of WWI naval combat.

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