HMS Rocket

THE Q AND R CLASSES

These ships the two types were identical since the different designations only divided them into two batches were modified J class hulls with a transom instead of a cruiser stern. They had the 2-shaft, 40,000-horsepower machinery which the Js introduced and which then became standard, but four instead of six 4.7in (11 9mm) guns. They were notably stable ships, and easily supported the extra AA guns four single 40mm Bofors and eight 20mm Oerlikons and the increased load of depth charges (70 instead of 45) which they carried by 1944. Like all British destroyers of the period, they mounted eight 21 in (533mm) torpedo tubes in two banks of four.

THE CAREER OF THE ROCKET

HMS Rocket was the penultimate ship of the combined class to be constructed. She was built by Scoffs, alongside a sister-ship, the Roebuck; laid down on 14 March 1941, she was launched on 28 October 1942 and entered service on 4 August the following year. She remained in commission until the late 1 960s, having been converted to a Type J5ASW frigate, and was sold for breaking up in 1967.

TECHNICAL DATA

Type: Fleet destroyer
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines giving a total of 40,000shp
Dimensions (overall): Length, 109.2m (358.25ft); beam, 10.9m (35.7ft)
Displacement: 1705t standard; 2425t full load
Draught: 4.3m (l4ft) full load
Complement: 175
Speed: 37 knots (68.5km/h)