HMS Ghurka
Name | HMS Ghurka |
Type | Destroyer |
GRT | 880 tons |
Country | British |
Built | 1907 |
Builder | Hawthorn, Leslie & Co., Ltd., Newcastle |
Operator | Royal Navy |
History | Ghurka was present at the Coronation Fleet Review for King George V, June 1911 as part of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla. Ghurka deployed to Dover on 31 July 1914, becoming a member of the 6th D. F. (Dover Patrol). From then on Ghurka’s life was continuous patrols of the Dover Straits interspersed with escorting troop transports across to France interrupted by a period in dry dock after a collision with Cossack on 23 August. After October 1915 there was also escorting monitors to the Belgian coast for bombardment of German positions. On 4 March 1915 Ghurka, Maori and Nubian took part in the sinking of U 8 in the Straits of Dover. Also there was now the added danger of attacks by German destroyers and air attacks especially when off the Belgian coast. On 8 February 1917 Ghurka was on patrol off Dungeness when she struck a mine laid by UC47 and sank. |
U-boat attacks on Destroyer Ghurka
Date | U-boat | Loss type | Position | Location | Route | Cargo | Casualties | |
1 | 8 Feb 1917 | UC 47 (Paul Hundius) | Sunk | Mined 4 miles SE of Dungeness 50°51’10”N 00°55’20”E | 50° 51'N, 0° 55'E | 74 | ||
The senior survivor, Lt. Commander Francis Lewin was awarded the Stanhope Gold Medal for bravery in helping to rescuing four other survivors. |
Position of attack on Ghurka
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