Destroyer facts for kids

The destroyer HMCS Iroquois leaving port in Hamburg.

A destroyer is a fast, small, and maneuverable warship. Destroyers escort larger warships. Destroyers were first used in the late 1800s to defend against torpedo boats. Destroyers were used extensively during World War I and World War II. Today, most naval warships are destroyers. Only three nations use cruisers. Modern destroyers use cruise missiles, automated turrets, and torpedos. Some can launch nuclear missiles. Modern destroyers usually support carrier groups and amphibious landings.

Images for kids

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  USS Winston S. Churchill, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy

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  Fernando Villaamil, credited as the inventor of the destroyer concept, died in action during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba in 1898

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  The Imperial Japanese Navy's Kotaka (1887)

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  HMS Spider, an early model of torpedo gunboat

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  HMS Havock, the first modern destroyer, commissioned in 1894

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  Builders' plans for the British Charger class, built 1894–95

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  HMS Loyal, of the Laforey class

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  USS Wickes, a Wickes-class destroyer

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  HMS Badger was the first destroyer to successfully ram a submarine

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  V-class destroyer, HMS Velox

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  France's Fantasque class, the fastest destroyer class ever built.

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  USS McGowan, a Fletcher-class destroyer during World War II

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  Polish destroyer ORP Błyskawica, currently preserved as a museum ship in Gdynia.

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  A Chinese Navy Luyang III-class (Type 052D) destroyer

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  A Visakhapatnam-class guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy.

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  Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Akizuki

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  HMS Daring, a Type 45 guided missile destroyer of the Royal Navy.

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  Baden-Württemberg, an F125-class frigate of the German Navy; currently the biggest frigates worldwide. In size and role they are qualified as destroyers

See also

In Spanish: Destructor para niños