HMS Vansittart (D64)

HMS "Vansittart" was an Admiralty Modified W destroyer of the Royal Navy which saw service in the Second World War. So far she has been the only ship of the navy to bear the name "Vansittart".

Construction and commissioning

"Vansittart" was ordered with the 13th Order of the 1918-19 Programme in January 1918 from the yards of William Beardmore & Co. She was laid down on 1 January 1918, launched on 17 April, 1919, and was commissioned on 5 November, 1919.

Pre-war career

"Vansittart" initially joined the Fleet after being commissioned, and in 1921 was part of the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet. "Vansittart" and the Flotilla transferred to the Mediterranean in 1925, but on the introduction of more modern destroyer types, the Flotilla returned to the UK and "Vansittart" was paid off into the Reserve. She was laid-up at Rosyth, but was briefly reactivated, manned by Reservists in time for the Review of the Reserve Fleet at Weymouth in August 1939. With war looming, "Vansittart" was kept in commission and nominated to join the 15th Destroyer Flotilla.

Wartime career

She was responsible for the sinking of "U 102" by the use of depth charges, on 1 July, 1940.

As it happened, "U 102" had just recently destroyed one of its only victims, the British merchant SS|Clearton, in approximately the same general region. HMS "Vansittart" went on to save the survivors of the "Clearton", who numbered 26 people.

During her career she went under one reconstruction, to serve as a long range escort. Such maintenance was completed in June 1943.

On 25 February 1946, HMS "Vansittart" was sold to be broken down into scrap.

References

*Colledge
* [http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4272.html U boat resource]