HMS Pytchley was a Type I Hunt-class destroyer of the Royal Navy which served in World War II. She was scrapped in 1956.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War A6680
HMS Pytchley in coastal waters, c1941 (IWM)
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Pytchley
Ordered11 April 1939
BuilderScotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Greenock
Laid down26 July 1939
Launched13 February 1940
Completed23 October 1940
Decommissioned1946
IdentificationPennant number:L92
Honours and
awards
  • North Sea 1942–45
  • English Channel 1942–44
  • Arctic 1943
  • Normandy 1944
FateScrapped, 1956
BadgeOn a Field Red two hunting horns in Saltire and a mascle in fret, all Gold
General characteristics
Class and typeType I Hunt-class destroyer
Displacement
  • 1,050 long tons (1,070 t) standard
  • 1,430 long tons (1,450 t) full load
Length85.3 m (279 ft 10 in) o/a
Beam9.6 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught2.51 m (8 ft 3 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 27.5 knots (31.6 mph; 50.9 km/h)
  • 26 kn (29.9 mph; 48.2 km/h) full
Range
  • 3,500 nmi (6,500 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h)
  • 1,000 nmi (1,850 km) at 26 kn (48 km/h)
Complement164
Armament

Service history

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Pytchley was ordered on 11 April 1939 under the 1939 War Emergency Build Programme as job number J111.[1] She was completed on 23 October 1940. She was adopted by the Municipal Borough of Kettering in Northamptonshire as part of Warship Week in 1942.

She earned battle honours during the Second World War for the North Sea 1941–1945, where she spent the majority of her service. During 1941 she struck a mine off Flamborough Head and was subsequently repaired on the River Tyne. In June 1944 she formed part of the naval escort supporting the Normandy landings, providing support during the assault on Gold Beach.

Following the war she was employed as an aircraft target ship in December 1945. She then transferred to the Reserve Fleet at Devonport in 1946.

She remained there until sold to BISCO for scrap. She arrived at the breakers yard at Llanlley on 1 December 1956.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Mason, Geoffrey B. (2004). Gordon Smith (ed.). "HMS Pytchley (L 92) – Type I, Hunt-class Escort Destroyer". naval-history.net. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  2. ^ Critchley, Mike (1982). British Warships Since 1945: Part 3: Destroyers. Liskeard, UK: Maritime Books. p. 26. ISBN 0-9506323-9-2.

Publications

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