HMS Creole (R82)

HMS Creole was a C-class destroyer of the Royal Navy built by J. Samuel White, Cowes between 1944 and 1946. She was sold to the Pakistan Navy in 1958 and renamed PNS Alamgir. She was scrapped in 1982.

HMS Creole with deckhouse in place of 'B' Turret, 1947
History
United Kingdom
Name:	HMS Creole
Builder:	White, Cowes
Laid down:	3 August 1944
Launched:	22 November 1945
Commissioned:	14 October 1946
Out of service:	1956
Identification:	Pennant number: R82, changed to D82
Fate:	Sold to the Pakistan Navy
History
Pakistan
Name:	PNS Alamgir
Commissioned:	1958
Homeport:	Karachi
Identification:	Pennant number:160
Fate:	Scrapped 1982
General characteristics
Class and type:	C-class destroyer
Displacement:	1,710 tons (standard) 2,520 tons (full)
Length:	363 ft (111 m) o/a
Beam:	35.75 ft (10.90 m)
Draught:	10 ft (3.0 m) light 14.5 ft (4.4 m) full
Propulsion:	2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, Parsons geared steam turbines, 40,000 shp (30,000 kW), 2 shafts
Speed:	37 knots (69 km/h)
Range:	615 tons oil, 1,400 nautical miles (2,600 km) at 32 knots (59 km/h)
Complement:	186
Armament:	4 × QF 4.5 in (114 mm) L/45 guns Mark IV on mounts CP Mk.V 2 × Bofors 40 mm L/60 guns on twin mount "Hazemeyer" Mk.IV 4 × anti-aircraft mountings; Bofors 40 mm, single mount Mk.III QF 2-pdr Mk VIII, single mount Mk.XVI Oerlikon 20 mm, single mount P Mk.III Oerlikon 20 mm, twin mount Mk.V 1 × quadruple tubes for 21 inch (533 mm) torpedoes Mk.IX 2 × Squid ASW mortars (after 1956)

History in the Royal Navy

Commissioned too late for service in the Second World War, her pennant number was soon changed to D82. Along with HMS Crispin she was the only 'Cr' group ship to see service with the Royal Navy - the rest served with another navies. Both served with the 3rd Training Squadron based in Londonderry Port. Both ships had their 'B' gun turret removed in 1948 and replaced with a deckhouse.[1] In 1953 she took part in the Coronation Review of the Fleet to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.[2] In 1954 both ships were laid up in reserve.

History in the Pakistan Navy

Creole was sold to the Pakistan Navy on 29 February 1956 and renamed Alamgir.[3] Before being transferred she was given a refit by Thornycroft at Woolston. As part of this refit the gun turret was reinstated in 'B' position. The gun at 'X' position was removed and replaced by two Squid anti-submarine mortars.[4] She was formally handed over to the Pakistan Navy at Southampton in 1958. The refit and transfer was made under a US contract and transferred to the Pakistan Navy as part of the Military Assistance Program.[4]

Alamgir continued to serve in the Pakistan Navy until scrapped in 1982.

References

1. Marriott, Leo (1989). Royal Navy Destroyers Since 1945. Ian Allan Ltd. pp. 67.
2. Souvenir Programme, Coronation Review of the Fleet, Spithead, 15 June 1953, HMSO, Gale and Polden
3. Critchley, Mike (1982). British Warships Since 1945: Part 3: Destroyers. Liskeard, UK: Maritime Books. p. 98. ISBN 0-9506323-9-2.
4. Blackman, Raymond V B (ed.). Jane's Fighting Ships 1963-4. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd. p. 194.

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.
• Marriott, Leo (1989). Royal Navy Destroyers Since 1945. Ian Allan Ltd. ISBN 0-7110-1817-0.