HMS Chequers (R61)

HMS Chequers on completion, 15 September 1945.
Career (United Kingdom)
Name: HMS Chequers
Ordered: 24 Jul 1942
Builder: Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, (Greenock, Scotland)
Laid down: 4 May 1943
Launched: 30 October 1944
Commissioned: 28 September 1945
Identification: Pennant number: R61 later changed to D61
Fate: Sold to John Cashmore Ltd on 23 July 1966
General characteristics
Type:Destroyer
Displacement:1710 tons[1]
Length:362.75 ft[2]
Beam:35.66 ft[3]
Draught:10 ft (mean), 16 ft. (max.)[4]
Installed power:40,000hp
Propulsion:Parsons geared turbines, 2 shafts; 2 Admiralty 3-drum type boilers[5]
Speed:36 kts
Complement:186
Armament:
  • 4 x QF 4.5 in L/45 guns Mark IV on mounts CP Mk.V
  • 4 x 20mm anti-aircraft weapons
  • 4 x 21-inch torpedoes
  • 2 x Squid Anti-Submarine mortars (after 1954)

HMS Chequers (R61) was a Ch class destroyer of the Royal Navy that was in service from December 1945, and which was scrapped in 1966.

Construction

The Royal Navy ordered HMS Chequers on 24 July 1942, one of eight Ch class "Intermediate" destroyers of the 1942 Programme. She was built by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Greenock, Scotland and commissioned in December 1945, too late for service during the Second World War.[6] The yard also built her sister ship, HMS Chieftain.

Service

Chequers was assigned to, and became leader of, the 1st Destroyer Squadron based at Malta between 1948 and 1954. She saw service, along with other Royal Navy ships, in preventing illegal immigration into Palestine in 1947.[7] She was given an interim modernization in 1954, which saw her 'X' turret at the rear of the ship replaced by two Squid Anti-submarine mortars.[8]

Decommissioning and disposal

Chequers was decommissioned and placed in Operational reserve in 1954. She was placed on the disposal list in 1964.[9] She was sold to John Cashmore Ltd for scrapping and arrived at their yard in Newport, Wales on 23 July 1966.

Commanding officers

FromToCaptain[10]
19451947Capt John Henry Ruck-Keene DSC OBE RN[11]
19481950Captain John E H McBeath RN
19501951Captain Michael S Townsend RN
19511953Captain Charles E Keys RN
19531954Captain Ralph C M Duckworth RN
19541955Captain Hugh S Mackenzie RN

References

  1. ↑ "Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II 1946/7", Jane's Publishing Company, London, UK, 1946, reprinted by Crescent Books, Avenel, New Jersey, USA, 1995, ISBN 0-517-67963-9, page 52.
  2. ↑ "Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II 1946/7", Jane's Publishing Company, London, UK, 1946, reprinted by Crescent Books, Avenel, New Jersey, USA, 1995, ISBN 0-517-67963-9, page 52.
  3. ↑ "Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II 1946/7", Jane's Publishing Company, London, UK, 1946, reprinted by Crescent Books, Avenel, New Jersey, USA, 1995, ISBN 0-517-67963-9, page 52.
  4. ↑ "Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II 1946/7", Jane's Publishing Company, London, UK, 1946, reprinted by Crescent Books, Avenel, New Jersey, USA, 1995, ISBN 0-517-67963-9, page 52.
  5. ↑ "Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II 1946/7", Jane's Publishing Company, London, UK, 1946, reprinted by Crescent Books, Avenel, New Jersey, USA, 1995, ISBN 0-517-67963-9, page 52.
  6. ↑ http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/12621.html
  7. ↑ Stewart, Ninian, The Royal Navy and the Palestine Patrol, Routledge, 2002.
  8. ↑ Marriott, Leo, Royal Navy Destroyers Since 1945. Ian Allen Ltd, 1989. p.64
  9. ↑ Critchley, Mike, "British Warships Since 1945: Part 3: Destroyers", Maritime Books: Liskeard, UK, 1982. ISBN 0-9506323-9-2, page 98.
  10. ↑ Royal Navy Senior Appointments, Colin Mackie
  11. ↑ http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/12620.html

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