HMS Scorpion (D64)

HMS Scorpion was a Weapon-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy in service from 1947 and scrapped in 1971. Originally named Centaur, the ship was renamed Tomahawk and finally Scorpion (in September 1943) before her launch.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Scorpion.

HMS SCORPION lifts her nose out of the water while operating in heavy Northern waters during Exercise Mariner, September 1953 (IWM)
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Scorpion
Ordered: 3 February 1943
Builder: J. S. White, Cowes
Laid down: 16 December 1944
Launched: 15 August 1946
Completed: 17 September 1947
Decommissioned: April 1963
Identification: Pennant number D64
Fate: Sold out of service on 4 June 1971 to P. & W. MacLellan, arriving at Bo'ness on 17 June 1971 for scrapping
General characteristics
Class and type: Weapon-class destroyer
Displacement: 1,980 tons standard
Length: 365 ft (111 m)
Beam: 38 ft (12 m)
Armament:
  • 6 x 4-inch (102 mm) DP guns on twin Mk XIX mounts
  • 6 x 40 mm AA Bofors guns
  • 2 x Squid ASW Mortars
  • 10 x 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes (removed after 1957)

Royal Navy service

On commissioning Scorpion was allocated to the 6th Destroyer Flotilla (later squadron) which was made up of the Weapon-class destroyers. In 1953 she took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.[1] In 1954 Scorpion was the only Weapon-class ship fitted with the Limbo depth charge mortar, as a trial to modernise the whole class, replacing the older Squid mortar.

Following Home Service commissions she then undertook a commission in the Mediterranean during 1955 and 1956. After this she was placed in reserve.

In 1957 all of the Weapon-class Destroyers started conversions to Radar pickets, which involved the removal of their torpedo tubes. Scorpion underwent her conversion at Devonport Dockyard. She was fitted with an extra mast to carry a large AKE-1 Antennae. She was the last Weapon-class vessel to re-commission in 1959 and was part of the 7th Destroyer Squadron until being placed in reserve in April 1963.[2]

Decommissioning and disposal

Following decommissioning Scorpion was used for underwater explosive trials at Rosyth. She was finally scrapped at Bo'ness in 1971.

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References
  1. Souvenir Programme, Coronation Review of the Fleet, Spithead, 15th June 1953, HMSO, Gale and Polden
  2. Critchley, Mike (1982). British Warships Since 1945: Part 3: Destroyers. Liskeard, UK: Maritime Books. pp. 124–126. ISBN 0-9506323-9-2.

Publications



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