HMS Gurkha (G 63)
British Destroyer
Name | HMS Gurkha (G 63) | ||
Type: | Destroyer (L-class) | ||
Tonnage | 1,920 tons | ||
Completed | 1941 - Cammell Laird & Co Ltd, Birkenhead | ||
Owner | The Admiralty | ||
Homeport | |||
Date of attack | 17 Jan 1942 | Nationality: British | |
Fate | Sunk by U-133 (Hermann Hesse) | ||
Position | 31° 50'N, 26° 15'E - Grid CO 9214 | ||
Complement | 249 officers and men (9 dead and 240 survivors). | ||
Convoy | MW-8B | ||
Route | Alexandria - Malta | ||
Cargo | |||
History | Laid down as HMS Larne (F 63), launched as HMS Gurkha (G 63). At 06.17 hours on 29 Sep 1941, HMS Gurkha (G 63) got a radar contact with the surfaced Italian submarine Diaspro (Dotta) in 37°32N/06°45E and was shortly thereafter missed by two torpedoes, which passed under the destroyer. Together with HNMS Isaac Sweers (G 83), she engaged the submarine, but without result. The destroyers were part of the Force H (Adm Somerville), returning from escorting a Malta convoy during Operation Halberd. | ||
Notes on event | At 07.35 hours on 17 Jan 1942, HMS Gurkha (G 63) (Cdr C.N. Lentaigne, RN) was hit by one torpedo from U-133 and caught fire from bow to stern. HNMS Isaac Sweers (G 83) towed the destroyer clear of the burning oil on the surface. The most crew members were then transferred to the Dutch destroyer by boats and were landed at Tobruk in the evening. The burning destroyer had to be scuttled north of Sidi Barrani. HMS Gurkha (G 63) was escorting the Malta convoy MW-8B (four fast transports covered by Admiral Vian´s Mediterranean Fleet cruiser force), which arrived Malta on 19 January without further casualties. | ||
On board | We have details of 10 people who were on board. |
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