HMS Broadsword (D31)
HMS Broadsword was a Weapon-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy in service from 1948 and scrapped in 1968.
_MOD_45140212.jpg.webp) HMS Broadsword (D31) | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name: | HMS Broadsword |
| Builder: | Yarrow Shipbuilders |
| Laid down: | 20 July 1944 |
| Launched: | 4 February 1946 |
| Completed: | 4 October 1948 |
| Identification: | Pennant number G31/D31 |
| Fate: | Arrived at Inverkeithing for scrapping in October 1968 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Weapon-class destroyer |
| Displacement: | 1,980 tons standard |
| Length: | 365 ft (111 m) |
| Beam: | 38 ft (12 m) |
| Armament: |
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Service
On commissioning in 1948 Broadsword became part of the 6th Destroyer Flotilla (later Squadron), as part of the Home Fleet, along with the other Weapon-class destroyers. In 1953 she went into reserve, being replaced in the 6th Destroyer Squadron by Comet.[1]
In 1957 all of the Weapon class were taken into refit and conversion to re-equip them as radar pickets, to supplement the new Salisbury-class frigates. Broadsword was converted at Rosyth. The conversion involved the removal of both sets of torpedo tubes and the erection of an additional lattice mast, which carried a large Type 965 Radar (AKE -1 aerial). She re-commissioned in October 1958 and was then allocated to the 7th Destroyer Squadron serving in Home and Mediterranean waters until paying off in 1963.
Decommissioning and disposal
Following decommissioning Broadsword was towed on 25 April 1968 to Rosyth for use in target trials. She was scrapped at Inverkeithing, arriving there on 8 October 1968.
In popular culture
Broadsword was featured on the Look at Life (film series) shown on BBC Four titled 'Britain on Film' Episode 2:6 Messing About on Boats.[2] During the short clip, D31 is filmed from a trawler patrolling the fishing limits with Iceland at some time during the 1960s.
References
- Critchley 1982, p. 124.
- "Britain on Film". BBC Four. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
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.
- Critchley, Mike (1982). British Warships Since 1945: Part 3: Destroyers. Liskeard, UK: Maritime Books. ISBN 0-9506323-9-2.
- Marriott, Leo (1989). Royal Navy Destroyers Since 1945. Ian Allan Ltd. ISBN 0-7110-1817-0.