HMS Delight (H38) facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Delight |
| Ordered | 2 February 1931 |
| Builder | Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan, Scotstoun |
| Cost | £229,378 |
| Laid down | 22 April 1931 |
| Launched | 2 June 1932 |
| Completed | 31 January 1933 |
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| Fate | Sunk by air attack, 29 July 1940 |
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| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | D-class destroyer |
| Displacement |
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| Length | 329 ft (100.3 m) o/a |
| Beam | 33 ft (10.1 m) |
| Draught | 12 ft 6 in (3.8 m) |
| Installed power | 36,000 shp (27,000 kW) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph) |
| Range | 5,870 nmi (10,870 km; 6,760 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
| Complement | 145 |
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ASDIC |
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HMS Delight was a D-class destroyer built for the Royal Navy in the early 1930s. Destroyers are fast warships designed to protect larger ships and attack enemy vessels. Delight first served with the Mediterranean Fleet. Later, she moved to the China Station in 1935.
During the Abyssinia Crisis in late 1935, she was sent to the Red Sea. She then returned to China until mid-1939. Just before World War II started in September 1939, Delight was transferred back to the Mediterranean Fleet. She later joined the Home Fleet and took part in the Norwegian Campaign. On July 29, 1940, HMS Delight was sunk by German dive-bombers while trying to sail through the English Channel during daylight hours.
Contents
What was HMS Delight like?
Delight was a medium-sized warship. She weighed about 1,375 long tons (1,397 tonnes) when empty. When fully loaded, she weighed 1,890 long tons (1,920 tonnes).
The ship was 329 feet (100.3 meters) long. Her width, called the beam, was 33 feet (10.1 meters). The part of the ship underwater, known as the draught, was 12 feet 6 inches (3.8 meters) deep.
How fast was Delight?
Delight was powered by two steam turbines. These engines produced 36,000 horsepower. This power allowed the ship to reach a top speed of 36 knots (67 km/h or 41 mph).
She could travel about 5,870 nautical miles (10,870 km or 6,750 miles) at a speed of 15 knots (28 km/h or 17 mph). This was her cruising range. The ship had a crew of 145 officers and sailors.
What weapons did Delight carry?
Delight had four 4.7-inch (120 mm) guns. These were her main weapons. For defense against aircraft, she had one 12-pounder (76.2 mm) anti-aircraft gun. She also carried two mounts with four 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) machine guns each.
The ship was also equipped with two mounts for 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes. Each mount could fire four torpedoes. She also carried depth charges to attack submarines. She started with 20 depth charges, but this number was increased to 35 after the war began.
HMS Delight's Service History
Delight was ordered on February 2, 1931. She was built by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Govan, Scotstoun. Her construction started on April 22, 1931.
The ship was launched on June 2, 1932. She was finished and ready for service on January 31, 1933. Her total cost was £229,378. This cost did not include weapons or communication equipment.
Early Service and Deployments
After being completed, Delight carried out sea trials for the Mark IX torpedo. On April 24, 1933, she joined the 1st Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea. She made a short trip to the Persian Gulf in late 1933.
From September to October 1934, the ship was refitted at HMNB Portsmouth. This was to prepare her for service on the China Station. She arrived in China in January 1935. During the Abyssinian Crisis, she was temporarily assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet in the Red Sea.
As World War II approached, Delight was sent back to the Mediterranean. She arrived in Aden on September 19, 1939. She then operated with the Mediterranean Fleet for three months. In December, she transferred to the Home Fleet, arriving at Portsmouth on December 30.
World War II Service and Sinking
Delight was refitted until January 27, 1940. She then joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla. On April 8, she was damaged by bad weather and needed repairs.
During the Norwegian Campaign, Delight escorted the aircraft carrier HMS Furious. She also helped evacuate troops from Åndalsnes on May 1. On May 27–28, she supported Allied troops as they recaptured Narvik. The next day, she investigated reports of a German landing at Bodø. Over the next two nights, Delight and other destroyers evacuated British troops from Bodø. From June 7–8, she escorted a convoy evacuating Allied troops from Narvik. This was part of Operation Alphabet.
On June 13, Delight went to help the armed merchant cruiser HMS Scotstoun. Scotstoun had been torpedoed by the German submarine U-25. Delight then had repairs at Rosyth from June 21 to July 24.
The Battle of Britain began on July 10, 1940. The English Channel became a major battle area. On July 29, Delight left Portland Harbour during daylight. This was against orders. She was detected by a German radar at Cherbourg. The German air force, the Luftwaffe, was alerted.
At 7:25 PM, 12 German Ju 87 dive-bombers attacked Delight. The ship was about 20 miles (32 km) off Portland Bill. A bomb hit her front deck, called the fo'c'sle. This caused a large fire and an explosion. Delight sank later that evening. Six of her crew were lost in the attack.
The Wreck of Delight
The wreck of Delight lies at a maximum depth of 62 meters (203 feet). It is broken into several pieces. The middle part of the ship is upside down. Her bow (front) is broken off, and the stern (back) is upright.
The wreck is a "protected place" under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. This means it is against the law to enter the wreck without a special license. It is also illegal to disturb the wreck or any debris around it.
