HMS Comet (R26)

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

HMS Comet, 19 September 1945
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Comet
Builder	Yarrow, Scotstoun
Laid down	14 June 1943
Launched	22 June 1944
Commissioned	6 June 1945
Identification	Pennant number: R26 (later D26)
Fate	Arrived for breaking up at Troon on 23 June 1962
General characteristics
Class and type	Template:Sclass2- destroyer
Displacement	1,885 tons (1,915 tonnes) 2,545 tons full (2,585 tonnes)
Length	362.75 ft (110.57 m) o/a
Beam	35.75 ft (10.90 m)
Draught	11.75 ft (3.58 m)
Propulsion	2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, Parsons single-reduction geared steam turbines, 40,000 shp (30 MW), 2 shafts
Speed	36 knots (67 km/h) / 32 knots (59 km/h) full
Range	4,675 nmi (8,658 km) at 20 knots (37 km/h) 1,400 nmi (2,600 km) at 32 knots (59 km/h)
Complement	186
Sensors and processing systems	Radar Type 275 fire control on director Mk.VI
Armament	4 × QF 4.5 in (114 mm) L/45 guns Mark IV on mounts CP Mk.V 2 × Bofors 40 mm L/60 guns on twin mount Mk V 4 × anti-aircraft mountings; Single Bofors 40 mm Mk.III Single QF 2 - pdr Mk.VIII Mk.XVI Single Oerlikon 20 mm P Mk.III Twin Oerlikon 20 mm Mk.V 8 (2x4) tubes for 21 inch (533 mm) torpedoes Mk.IX 4 throwers and 2 racks for 96 depth charges

HMS Comet was a Template:Sclass2- destroyer of the Royal Navy, built by Yarrow at Scotstoun. She was launched on 22 June 1944 and commissioned on 6 June 1945.

Operational service

On commissioning Comet served as part of the 8th Destroyer Squadron in the Far East. She returned to the UK for a refit in 1948. She was given an interim modernization and was fitted for minelaying. She then served as part of the 6th Destroyer Squadron in the Home Fleet between 1953 and 1957.

Decommissioning and disposal

Comet was paid off in February 1958. Following her sale she arrived at the breakers yard for scrapping at Troon on 23 October 1962.

Publications

• Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
• Marriott, Leo (1989). Royal Navy Destroyers Since 1945. Ian Allan Ltd. ISBN 0-7110-1817-0.
• Raven, Alan; Roberts, John (1978). War Built Destroyers O to Z Classes. London: Bivouac Books. ISBN 0-85680-010-4.
• Whitley, M. J. (1988). Destroyers of World War 2. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-326-1.