HMS Armada (D14)

HMS "Armada" (D14) was a Battle-class destroyer of the Royal Navy (RN). She was named in honour of the English victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588. "Armada" was built by Hawthorn Leslie and Company on the Tyne. She was launched on 9 December 1943 and commissioned on the on 2 July 1945.

In 1945, "Armada" joined the British Pacific Fleet but did not see action during the Second World War. The following year, as part of the 19th Destroyer Flotilla, "Armada" deployed to the Far East, performing a variety of duties while based there, and the following year, "Armada", with the rest of the 19th Flotilla, returned home to the UK, visiting a variety of ports on the way, mainly on 'fly-the-flag' visits. Upon reaching the UK, "Armada" was placed in Reserve. In 1949, "Armada" joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, deploying to the Mediterranean as part of that flotilla.

In 1950, "Armada", while still based in the Mediterranean, was involved in a collision. "Armada" remained in the sunny climes of the Mediterranean until returning home to the UK with the rest of the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla. In 1956, "Armada" was in the area during the Suez Crisis in 1956, which took place in respone to the Egyptian President Nasser's nationalisation of the Suez Canal. She subsequently returned to home waters when she, now Captain (D) of the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, meaning that she was the leader of the flotilla, joined the Home Fleet. In 1960, "Armada" was decommissioned, and in 1965, she was scrapped at Inverkeithing.

References

*Colledge