NAVYPEDIA

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Harvester (ex-Handy, ex-Jurua)	H19		Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow	6/1938	29.9.1939	5/1940	sunk 11.3.1943
Havant (ex-Javary)	H32		White, Cowes	3/1938	17.7.1939	12/1939	sunk 1.6.1940
Havelock (ex-Jutahy)	H88		White, Cowes	5/1938	16.10.1939	2/1940	BU 10.1946
Hesperus (ex-Hearty, ex-Juruena)	H57		Thornycroft, Woolston	7/1938	1.8.1939	1/1940	BU 11.1946
Highlander (ex-Jaguaribe)	H44		Thornycroft, Woolston	9/1938	17.10.1939	3/1940	BU 5.1946
Hurricane (ex-Japarua)	H06		Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow	6/1938	29.9.1939	6/1940	sunk 24.12.1943

Technical data

Max speed, kts, kn	35
Displacement standard, t	1400
Displacement full, t	1930 (later 2020 - 2030)
Length, m	95.1 pp 98.5 oa
Breadth, m	10.1
Draught, m	3.89 (later 3.99 - 4.04)
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 sets Parsons geared steam turbines, 3 Admiralty 3-drum boilers
Power, h. p.	34000
Fuel, t	oil 443
Endurance, nm(kts)	5500(15)
Armament	3 x 1 - 120/45 QF Mk IX, 2 x 4 - 12.7/62, 2 x 4 - 533 TT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (110 DC)
Electronic equipment	type 128 sonar
Complement	145

Standard scale images

Project history

In 1938 Brazil ordered in Britain 6 destroyers of RN 'H' class. Important difference was other, unique, main gun fire control system consisting of combined "director-range finder". At the start of WWII they were bought up by British Government 4.9.1939 and have received new names.

Former Brazilian "Н" were finished building in the big haste, practically without obligatory in that case correction of the design to the RN requirements (not tested fire control system, "export" torpedoes, etc.). Strengthening of anti-submarine armament at the expense of removing of aft 120mm gun from "Y" position and the minesweeping equipment became unique change. Reason of preference of ASW equipment instead of artillery was covered both in unavailability of a part of original armament, and in doubtful advantages of a new fire control system that strong decreased value of new destroyers as gunships. Besides, because of haste part of destroyers were commissioned with incomplete fire control system: Havant, Hesperus, Havelock and Highlander participated in the first battle collisions with only a rangefinder and Hesperus had no TTs till mid-1940. Only last two ships entered service fully completed.

Modernizations

till mid-1940, Hesperus did not have TTs.

summer 1940, Hurricane, Harvester, Havelock, Hesperus, Highlander: - 1 x 4 - 533 TT; + 1 x 1 - 76/45 QF Mk I/II/III/IV

1941, all survived ships: + 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV

1941 - 1942, all survived: + type 271, type 286 radars

1942 - 1943, Havelock, Hesperus, Highlander: - 1 x 1 - 120/45, 2 x 4 - 12.7/62, 1 x 4 - 533 TT, type 128 sonar; + 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog ASWRL, type 144 sonar

1942 - 1943, Harvester, Hurricane: - 2 x 4 - 12.7/62, m. b. 1 x 4 - 533 TT; + 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV

1943 - 1944, some: - type 286 radar; + type 291 radar

1/1946, Havelock, Hesperus, Highlander: 2 x 1 - 120/45 CP Mk XVIII, 1 x 1 - 76/45 Mk II, 4 x 1 - 20/70 Mk III, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog ASWRL, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (110), type 271, type 291 radars, type 144 sonar

Naval service

Havant 1.6.1940 was badly damaged by German bombers at Dunkirk, abandoned by crew and finished by minesweeper Saltash. Hurricane 7-8.5.1941 was sunk by German aircraft at Liverpool; salvaged and commissioned again but 24.12.1943 torpedoed by German submarine U415 near Azores, lost speed, abandoned and 25.12.1943 sunk by destroyer Watchman. Harvester 11.3.1943 lost speed as a result of stem damage after ramming of German submarine U444 and soon was sunk by German submarine U432 in Northern Atlantic.