HMS Ursa was a U-class destroyer of the Royal Navy, constructed during World War II as part of the War Emergency Programme. Laid down on 2 May 1942 at Thornycroft's Woolston shipyard in Southampton, she was launched on 22 July 1943 and completed by 1 March 1944, bearing the pennant number R22. The vessel measured approximately 362 feet 9 inches in length overall, with a beam of 35 feet 8 inches, a mean draught of 10 feet, and a full load displacement of around 2,508 long tons. Her machinery comprised two Admiralty 3-drum water-tube boilers powering Parsons single-reduction geared steam turbines, rated at 40,000 shaft horsepower, enabling her to reach speeds of up to 36 knots. Her armament initially included four 4.7-inch (120 mm) QF Mk. IX guns, capable of anti-aircraft fire with a 55-degree elevation, along with a Hazemayer twin Bofors 40 mm mount and four twin Oerlikon 20 mm cannons for close-in anti-aircraft defense. She was also equipped with two quadruple 21-inch torpedo tube mounts and a depth charge outfit comprising four mortars and two racks, carrying a total of 70 charges. Her radar and sonar suite included Type 291 air warning, Type 276 surface warning, Type 285 fire control radar, and Type 282 radar for the Hazemayer mount, along with HF/DF aerials. After active service in WWII, including participation in the Normandy landings and Arctic convoy escort missions, Ursa was refitted and transferred to the Far East, joining the British Pacific Fleet. She took part in operations such as attacking oil refineries in Sumatra and served until 1945, returning to the UK and paying off in 1946. In the post-war period, she was converted in 1954 into a Type 15 anti-submarine frigate, with significant structural and armament modifications, including the addition of Limbo anti-submarine mortars. Ursa served in various operational roles, including anti-gunrunning patrols off Cyprus and participation in the Suez Operation in 1956. She was decommissioned in April 1957, but recommissioned in 1961, serving in the West Indies and participating in exercises until her final decommissioning on 28 October 1966. She was sold for scrap in 1967, marking the end of her distinguished service career.

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