HMAS Napier (G97)

HMAS "Napier" (G97) was an N class destroyer serving in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Royal Navy (RN). Although commissioned and primarily crewed by the RAN during World War II, the ship was ordered and owned by the British government.

Construction

"Napier" was laid down on the instructions of the RN by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company at Govan in Scotland on 26 July 1939.cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Napier |title=HMAS Napier |accessdate=2008-09-15 |publisher=Sea Power Centre Australia] The destroyer, named after Admiral Sir Charles Napier RN (1786-1860), was launched on 22 May 1940 and commissioned into the RAN on 11 December 1940.

"Napier" was one of eight N class destroyers ordered and constructed by the Royal Navy during World War II, although the ships were commissioned into the RAN, Royal Netherlands Navy, or Polish Navy.

Operating history

During her Australian service, "Napier" served with the British Eastern Fleet between February 1942 and February 1945. She was present in Tokyo Bay on Victory over Japan Day (2 September 1945), when the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed. [cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq69-2.htm |title=Allied Ships Present in Tokyo Bay During the Surrender Ceremony, 2 September 1945 |accessdate=2007-01-13 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=27 May 2005 |publisher=Naval Historical Center - U.S. Navy |quote=Taken from "Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas (CINCPAC/CINCPOA) A16-3/FF12 Serial 0395, 11 February 1946: Report of Surrender and Occupation of Japan"]

Her Australian crew left on 25 October 1945 and she was returned to the RN.

"Napier" was sold for scrap to Thomas W. Ward and arrived at Briton Ferry on 17 January 1956 where she was broken up.

References