HMS Ghurka

HMS Ghurka was a Tribal-class destroyer of the Royal Navy that served during the World War II. The ship was named after the Gurkha soldiers of the British Indian Army, who were renowned for their bravery and loyalty.

Construction and design

HMS Ghurka was ordered from the Clydebank shipyard of John Brown & Company on 19 June 1936. She was laid down on 6 November 1936, launched on 7 July 1937 and completed on 22 February 1938. The ship was powered by three Admiralty 3-drum boilers and two Parsons geared steam turbines, which developed a total of 44,000 shaft horsepower and gave a maximum speed of 36 knots.

Service history

During the early stages of World War II, HMS Ghurka was involved in several naval operations in the North Sea and the English Channel. On 17 January 1940, she struck a mine off the coast of Dover and sank with the loss of 16 crew members.

Legacy

The name Ghurka continues to be used in the Royal Navy, with the latest ship to bear the name being the Type 23 frigate HMS Ghurka (F20), which was launched in 1986 and is currently in service.

See also

• List of destroyer classes of the Royal Navy
• List of ship names of the Royal Navy