1961 HMS KENT. One of a class of eight very large, innovative guided-missile destroyers constructed at a cost of 15 million each for the Royal Navy throughout the 1960s.
THE COUNTYCLASS
The term destroyer was used only very loosely to describe these ships, even from the outset. At over 6000 tons displacement, they were twice the size of any other vessel of that type in British service, and were very much closer in nature to the American destroyer-leaders of the period, some of which were classed as cruisers. HMS Kent (D 12) was the fourth of the class. Constructed at Harland and Wolffs yard in Belfast, she was laid down on 1 March 1960, launched on 27 September 1961 and completed on 15 August 1963 a rapid operation for a complex ship during a period of transition. She was stricken in April 1980, but remained in service as a harbour training ship.
ARMAMENT AND EQUIPMENT
The County-class vessels were composite ships, the last British destroyers to have multiple gun armament (four 4.5in (117mm) Mk 6 guns in twin turrets in the forward A and B positions) but with Seaslug and Seacat surface-to- air missiles as their main AA armament. Four of the class (but not Kent) had their B turrets removed and replaced with launchers for MM4O Exocets, and were the first British ships to mount anti-ship missiles (though both SAMs also had a limited anti-ship capability). They were also the first British warships equipped to carry a helicopter, and the first to have COSAG (combination of steam and gas) machinery.
TECHNICAL DATA
Type: Guided-missile destroyer
Machinery: 2-shaft COSAG; twin geared steam turbines plus 4 G6 gas turbines delivering 30,000shp + 30,000shp
Dimensions (overall): Length, 158.9m (521.51t); beam, 16Am (54ft)
Displacement: 6200t standard; 6800t deep load
Draught: 6.2m (20.5ft)
Complement: 440-471
Speed: 30 knots (55.5km/h)
