HMS Redoubt was an R-class destroyer built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

Redoubt in November 1942
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Redoubt
NamesakeThe redoubt
OrderedApril 1940
BuilderJohn Brown & Company
Laid down19 June 1941
Launched2 May 1942
Commissioned1 October 1942
FateTransferred to the Indian Navy in 1949
India
NameINS Ranjit
Commissioned1949
Decommissioned1979
General characteristics
Class and typeR-class destroyer
Displacement
Length358 ft 3 in (109.2 m) (o/a)
Beam35 ft 8 in (10.9 m)
Draught13 ft 6 in (4.1 m) (deep)
Installed power
Propulsion2 × shafts; 2 × Parsons geared steam turbines
Speed36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph)
Range4,675 nmi (8,658 km; 5,380 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Radar Type 290 air warning
  • Radar Type 285 ranging & bearing
Armament

Description

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Redoubt displaced 1,705 long tons (1,732 t) at standard load and 2,425 long tons (2,464 t) at deep load. She had an overall length of 358 feet 3 inches (109.2 m), a beam of 33 feet 8 inches (10.3 m) and a deep draught of 13 feet 6 inches (4.1 m). She was powered by two Parsons geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by two Admiralty three-drum boilers. The turbines developed a total of 40,000 shaft horsepower (30,000 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph). Redoubt carried a maximum of 470 long tons (480 t) of fuel oil that gave her a range of 4,675 nautical miles (8,658 km; 5,380 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph). Her complement was 176 officers and ratings.[1]

The ship was armed with four 45-calibre 4.7-inch (120 mm) Mark IX guns in single mounts. For anti-aircraft (AA) defence, Redoubt had one quadruple mount for QF 2-pdr Mark VIII ("pom-pom") guns and six single 20-millimetre (0.8 in) Oerlikon autocannon. She was fitted with two above-water quadruple mounts for 21-inch (533 mm) torpedoes. Two depth charge rails and four throwers were fitted for which 70 depth charges were provided.[2]

Construction and career

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HMS Redoubt was built by Clydebank and launched in 1942.

Postwar service

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Between 1946 and 1947 Redoubt was part of the reserve held at Chatham Dockyard, being transferred to the Harwich reserve in August 1947. Between 1948 and 1949 she underwent a refit at Chatham Dockyard. She was transferred to India 4 July 1949, where she was commissioned as INS Ranjit and allocated the pennant number D209.[3]

In 1953 she took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II[4] Along with two other former R-class destroyers (Rajput and Rana) she formed part of the 11th destroyer Squadron.[5] She served until 1979, and was scrapped after decommissioning.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Lenton, p. 174
  2. ^ English, p. 51
  3. ^ Critchley, Mike, "British Warships Since 1945: Part 3: Destroyers", Maritime Books: Liskeard, UK, 1982. ISBN 0-9506323-9-2, page 50
  4. ^ Souvenir Programme, Coronation Review of the Fleet, Spithead, 15th June 1953, HMSO, Gale and Polden
  5. ^ Blackman, Raymond V B, Jane's Fighting Ships 1963-4, Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd, London, p122
  6. ^ "HMS Redoubt, destroyer".

Bibliography

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