S-Class destroyer ordered from Hawthorn Leslie
at Newcastle under 1917-18 Programme (12th Order) in July 1917. The ship was laid down on 13th December 1917
and launched on 5th November 1918. She was
the 2nd RN ship to carry this
name, previously used by a Water Carrier hired in 1916 for war service. Build
was completed on 3rd August 1919. After entry
into service she was used for trials of a flying off platform for aircraft. When war with
Germany was declared on 3rd Sept. 1939 this destroyer was deployed with the Local Destroyer Flotilla at Hong
Kong.
1 9 3 9
September
3rd Deployed on China Station for patrol
and Interception of German shipping,
October Nominated
for conversion for use as minelayer.
(Note: HM Destroyers SCOTT, TENEDOS, and THRACIAN of this
Class
and serving on, the China Station were also converted for
this purpose
during build in 1919).
18th Taken in hand by
HM Dockyard
Hong Kong for modification.
21st Laid defensive minefield in Lantau Channel with HMS THANET an
to auxiliary
which had been converted from use as a mercantile ferry, HMS
27th MAN YEUNG.
838
mines were laid in this operation).
28th Reverted to
anti-submarine role.
November After
conversion deployed at Hong Kong for local escort and patrol duty.
December Local patrol and escort duties in continuation.
1 9 4 0
Hong Kong Local Flotilla trade defence and patrol deployment in
continuation.
1 9 4 1
January
Hong Kong deployment in
continuation.
to (Note: After war with
Japan was imminent future deployment
discussed
November with US Navy.
December At Hong Kong.
8th Transferred to
Singapore with HM Destroyer SCOUT as
agreed with US Navy.
Took
passage to Join Eastern Fleet and avoided interception by IJN.
13th After arrival carried out local escort
duties.
1 9 4 2
January
26th Sent with HM Australian Destroyer
VAMPIRE to intercept Japanese invasion
convoy approaching Endau on east
coast of Malaya.
27th In action with UN cruiser SENDARI and
destroyers YUGIRI, FUBUKI and
ASAGIR1.
Hit
in engine room and disabled prior to sinking after in a gallant confrontation
with heavily armed opponents
(See
OPERATION PACIFIC by Edwyn Gray and. WAR WITH
JAPAN (HMSO).