HMS Redoubt (H41) explained

HMS Redoubt was an R-class destroyer built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

Description

Redoubt displaced 1705LT at standard load and 2425LT at deep load. She had an overall length of 358inchesft3inchesin (ftin), a beam of 33inchesft8inchesin (ftin) and a deep draught of 13inchesft6inchesin (ftin). She was powered by two Parsons geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by two Admiralty three-drum boilers. The turbines developed a total of 40000shp and gave a maximum speed of 36kn. Redoubt carried a maximum of 470LT of fuel oil that gave her a range of 4675nmi at . Her complement was 176 officers and ratings.[1]

The ship was armed with four 45-calibre 4.7-inch (120 mm) Mark IX guns in single mounts. For anti-aircraft (AA) defence, Redoubt had one quadruple mount for QF 2-pdr Mark VIII ("pom-pom") guns and six single 20mm Oerlikon autocannon. She was fitted with two above-water quadruple mounts for 21inches torpedoes. Two depth charge rails and four throwers were fitted for which 70 depth charges were provided.[2]

Construction and career

HMS Redoubt was built by Clydebank and launched in 1942.

Postwar service

Between 1946 and 1947 Redoubt was part of the reserve held at Chatham Dockyard, being transferred to the Harwich reserve in August 1947. Between 1948 and 1949 she underwent a refit at Chatham Dockyard. She was transferred to India 4 July 1949, where she was commissioned as INS Ranjit and allocated the pennant number D209.[3]

In 1953 she took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II[4] Along with two other former R-class destroyers (Rajput and Rana) she formed part of the 11th destroyer Squadron.[5] She served until 1979, and was scrapped after decommissioning.[6]

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Lenton, p. 174
  2. English, p. 51
  3. Critchley, Mike, "British Warships Since 1945: Part 3: Destroyers", Maritime Books: Liskeard, UK, 1982., page 50
  4. Souvenir Programme, Coronation Review of the Fleet, Spithead, 15th June 1953, HMSO, Gale and Polden
  5. Blackman, Raymond V B, Jane's Fighting Ships 1963-4, Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd, London, p122
  6. Web site: HMS Redoubt, destroyer.